Prespa National Park, National park in Korçë County, Albania.
Prespa National Park is a nature reserve in southwestern Albania, along the borders with Greece and North Macedonia, built around two lakes set between forested hills and wetlands. The Great Prespa Lake and the Small Prespa Lake together form the core of the park, surrounded by reeds, slopes, and rocky shores.
The Prespa region has been inhabited since ancient times and held a notable role during the Byzantine period, when churches and monasteries were built along the lakeshores. The park was formally established in 2000, becoming one of the first jointly managed protected areas across three countries in Europe.
The small villages around the lakes still follow a rhythm tied to fishing and the seasons, which gives the area a distinctive everyday feel. Local churches, some carved into the rock face, can be visited and often contain old frescoes that have survived in the dry mountain air.
The park is best explored on foot along the trails or by boat on the lakes, and guided birdwatching tours are a good option for first-time visitors. Sturdy shoes and layers are worth bringing, as weather in the hills can change quickly at any time of year.
The water from Great Prespa Lake does not drain through a visible river but travels underground through limestone channels and reappears as springs along the shore of Lake Ohrid. This natural passage can be seen at the springs on the Ohrid side, where the water surfaces after passing through the rock.
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