Kleisoura: Argoutsaria, Local History and Forest Trails

Kleisoura combines a distinctive New Year’s custom with forests, forestry roads and hiking trails. It also has keepsakes and photographs that tell the story of the town’s development, as well as a registered monument. This gives you the chance to weigh up local customs, local history and time in nature when planning your trip.

Argoutsaria: a New Year’s custom

Argoutsaria is a New Year’s custom in Kleisoura and one of the folk rituals of the Twelve Days of Christmas. This annual custom is listed in Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. As part of the tradition, only male members of the local community dance through Kleisoura’s main streets and squares wearing animal-shaped masks. They then come together for a communal dance in the town centre. The masks, the procession through the streets and squares, and the shared finale give the custom its distinctive form. If you are interested in living traditions, Argoutsaria offers a specific focal point for a trip around New Year. For precise planning, check the dates for the relevant year.

Local history at the museum and monument

The Ethnological and Folklore Museum in Kleisoura tells the story of the town’s development and heyday through historical keepsakes and photographs from different periods. The objects and images offer a historical perspective on Kleisoura without focusing on just one period. The Church of Saint Demetrios is another point of reference for local history: it is listed as a monument in the Greek register of archaeological sites and monuments. The museum collections and the church monument thus represent different ways of exploring the town’s history.

Forests and hiking trails

The forests of Kleisoura and the surrounding area are also well suited to outdoor activities on forestry roads and hiking trails. This adds another way to spend your time to the cultural attractions. When planning, consider whether to focus on local customs and history or make time for the outdoors. This will help you shape your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Kastoria: the lake and its own custom

In Kastoria itself, Lake Orestiada offers a different perspective on the landscape. Kastoria is built amphitheatrically on a strip of land enclosed by Lake Orestiada. A short circular route around the lake passes plane trees, old mansions and churches, with views of its calm waters. The Greek Ministry of Culture has designated the lake a natural monument of particular beauty, and it is included in the European Natura 2000 environmental protection network. A similarly named custom also belongs to Kastoria itself: the Kastorian Ragoutsaria take place there every year on January 6, 7 and 8. The similar names make it important to distinguish the locations: the January dates mentioned are for Kastoria, while Argoutsaria is the New Year’s custom of Kleisoura.

Plan your stay around your interests

When looking for a holiday apartment in Kleisoura, you can start by deciding what matters most to you: should the New Year’s custom shape your travel dates, is local history your main focus, or would you rather plan outdoor activities in the forest? This decision will help you match your travel dates to the experiences you want. If Argoutsaria is central to your trip, check the dates for the relevant year. If you are planning a museum visit, check the current opening hours in advance.

Discover more destinations: Maniakoi, Dispilio, Korisós, Vogatsiko, Argos Orestikón, Aposkepos, Kato Nestorio, Aghia Triada

For the main travel overview: Kastoria.