- Geographic location;
Lake Prespa is the second largest lake in the Republic of Macedonia. The Lake is located at a higher point than any other lake in the Balkans (2,798 ft/853 m), covering over 274 sq. km (106 sq. miles). Two thirds of the lake belong to the Republic of Macedonia, while the remaining third is shared by Greece and Albania.High above Lake Prespa, in a region called Carev Dvor (the Emperor's Garden), the locals have been growing for centuries large juicy apples, peaches and apricots. Every October, the locals organize a series of festivities in order to mark the year's fall fruit harvest and to get ready for the upcomming winter.In the summer of 2002 the first Prespa International Boat Regatta took place, with participants from Macedonia, as well as the neighboring countries.
- The ecosystem;
Prespa lake is fed by underground streams, which inevitably flow in Lake Ohrid, since Prespa is higher than Lake Ohrid and is linked by subterranean channels with Lake Ohrid running under the Galichica mountain. The whole Galitchica mountain has numerous caves, some even underwater. Some of the caves are filled with Carbonate-rock stalactites, stalagmites, "snowball ceilings" and "draperies".
Natural beauties, clear lake water, preserved natural environment and good communications have caused the region to become a local favorite tourist destination. The temperature of the water is between 18 C degrees in June, and 24 C degrees in July and August. The beaches are sandy, and the summer air temperature is comfortable. The climate in the Prespa area is mediterranean, with sunny springs, warm to hot summers, chilly autumns, and moderately cold and snowy winters.
- Historical monuments and nearbay settlements;
Historically, the Prespa area has been settled since the bronze and neolithic ages. Although the area was inhabited during early antiquity, archeological evidence from this period is rather scarce. During the Roman Empire, the road Via Ignatia passed here, which led to the development of numerous settlements in the area. Sciritania, one of the larger settlements at the time, is the predecessor to Resen. Ruins of numerous Roman necropolae, villae, and temples of the old city have been unearthed. Additionally, Via Epirica, the road from and to Epyrus also passed here.
In the Middle Ages, Tsar Samoil built on the Prespa island Mal Grad an old fortress and the Church of
St. Achilles, which is today part of Greece. On the Macedonian side of
the lake, however, is the other island, called Golem Grad (Large Town),
which is substantially bigger than Mal Grad (appropriatelly meaning
Small Town). Golem Grad has remains of a monastery dedicated to St.
Peter from the 14th century of the Middle Ages. Today, both islands are
uninhabited.
The island Golem Grad.
The most interesting cultural monument in the area is the Church of St. George in the village of Kurbinovo, with frescos from 1191. By its shape and dimensions, the church is simple. Unknown artists depicted in this unique fresco gallery the 12 big Christian holidays and the life and miracles of the Jesus Christ.
a) 
b) 
c)
and Jesus Christ (right), frescos from 1191 in St. Nikola, Kurbinovo.
Although there is many settlements on the shores of Lake Prespa, Oteshevo is the largest one, located about 5 km (3 miles) away from Resen. Oteshevo hosts in the summer an international colony for ceramic art, which is part of the International Academy of Ceramics, run under the umbrella of UNESCO. The little town is connected well with a modern road leading to Ohrid, which is about 145 km away. The train station in Bitola is also close, namely, about 35 km. Skopje is located only about 215 km, if you go through Bitola or 217 km through Kichevo.
Another interesting
settlement on the shores of the lake is the tourist place Pretor, with
a few camping sites and hotels. Krani is a tourist settlement on the
east coast of the lake, on the slopes of Pelister, with a beautiful
wide sandy beach. Other accomodation can be found in Asamati, Stenje
and Brajchino.
The Prespa area is flanked by the Galichica and the
Pelister National Parks. The Galitchica Ski Center (1450 to 2130 meters
above sea level) is located about 10 km from Oteshevo. In Oteshevo you
can also play mini-golf, volleyball, handball, basketball, tennis and
soccer.
The Galitchica Ski Center
