PREFECTURE OF KOZANI

The prefecture boarders north with the prefectures of Kastoria, Florina and Pella, east with those of Emathia`s and Pearia`s, west with Grevena`s and Castoria`s ones and south with Grevena`s and Larissa`s prefectures. The prefecture`s economy is rustic while it presents industrial development. In the big industrial center of Ptolemyda, there are the biggest stocks of lignite all over Greece. Big part of the lignite which is digged out is used for the supply of the three units of the energy station of Ptolemaida. Another part is used for the production of derivatives and the rest is used in the factory of nitrogenic fertilizers. Except lignite, important quantities of other ores are digged up: chromium, iron-pyrites, lead, albino stone and asbestos wick.
Kozani, a picturesque town set 710 metres above sea level sea level, is the prefectural capital. The town has several interesting churches, some with beautifully carved icon -screens, some with lovely frescoes, as well as a few 19th century mansion houses. Kozanis pride and glory is the Kouventarios Municipal Library, which contains 69.000 volumes and a large number of manuscripts. Also worth a visit is the Analipsi Monastery, a bit to the north of town, where the weavings, rugs and embroideries made by the nuns have won considerable renown.
Those wishing a more traditional atmosphere will want to go to Slatista (28 km. to the southwest) on the slopes of Mt. Siniatsikos (alt. 920 m.). Thanks to its fur industry, the town prospered in terms of both commerce and culture in the 18th and 19th century, and the churches, schools and mansions built during that era still stand. The interiors of Siatista's houses are beautifully decorated with carved wooden ceilings, stained glass windows and elegant fireplaces.
The town of Velvenclos lies 30 kilometres southeast of Kozani. Surrounded by plane and poplar woods, peach orchards and hazelnut stands near the AliakMon river, it too has retained many of its old mansions. In addition, many new buildings are designed in the traditional style.
Other villages where old Macedonian architecture can be seen and admired are Pentalofos, Katafigi, Vlastj and Tsotili with a picturesque arched bridge.
Servia controls the pass over the mountains to Thessaly; here there is both a Byzantine fortress and several Byzantine churches with superb frescoes.
Finally, at Perdikas, near the town of Ptolemaida, the anthropologist Aris Poulianos discovered the bones of a prehistoric elephant. One of the oldest specimens of the kind ever found in Europe, it lived in the region some three million years ago.