Cross-border cooperation in the field of cultural and natural heritage preservation can bring impact far beyond expectations. It’s not only about restoration, preservation and rehabilitation, it’s about trying to engage local community, promote intercultural dialogue, contribute to the economic growth and sustainable tourism development.This is the idea behind Authenikk project, a cross-border cooperation project between the municipalities of Kastoria and Korca for the promotion of sustainable tourist development. In order to realize this vision, dedicated actions of tourist promotion having the sustainability in mind takes place, like the preservation and rehabilitation of Dispeilio prehistorical settlement representation with the use of materials used to have in the old times, as wood and wooden reeds.The discovery of the settlement was accidental when the level of the Kastoria Lake was lowered in 1932 and the remains of wooden piles were revealed. The research in the area lasted for years and is one of the most important of its kind ever carried out in the country, mainly because this is the first lake settlement ever dug in Greece. At that spot today the visitor will find an archaeological park, a faithful representation of the settlement. The park is located next to the lake and includes eight life-size huts. A walk fromthis place will take you back thousands of years and give you an idea of how prehistoric man lived. The representation of the prehistoric settlement of Dispilio is based on real facts and the evidences of the archaeological excavation. In particular, it was revealed that the inhabitants used tree trunks for the frame of the houses and branches and rope for the walls. They used the mud from the lake to make plaster and also straw to cover the roofs. Inside the huts there are exact replicas of the objects used by prehistoric people in Dispeilio:flint tools, clay pots, bottles, cups and other utensils, hooks. Among them you will also seeanimal bones and horns, like those found during the research.

Dispeilio prehistorical settlement representation is one of the key preservation areas of #Authentikk project. With the support of the project, large scale restoration works will take place to the existing infrastructures (huts recovery, wooden paths and structures, human representations etc.) and new exhibition spots will be created.

#Authentikk project, #Interreg GRAL, #Dispilio prehistoric settlement, #Cultural heritage, #Sustainable tourism #discover Kastoria