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Serres Greece

Serres. The prefecture of Serres is one of the 13 prefectures of Macedonia. The homonymous city of Serres  is  about  69 kilometers in the  north-east of the Macedonian capital, Thessaloniki.  The prefecture stretches from Strymonikos bay in the south, to the Greek-Bulgarian border to the north and borders with the Prefectures of Drama and Kavala in the east and the prefectures of Thessaloniki and Kilkis in the west. The prefecture of Serres comprises 22 municipalities and 5 communities
Serres is one of the flattest regions of Greece. The Strymon river meanders through the region and flows into the Strymonikos Bay. The region attracts a small number of tourists because of the lack of relevant infrastructure. However thousands of visitors (Greeks all over the country) come to the cultural festivals taking place in the region of Serres.

Places of interest in Macedonia (the 13 prefectures)

Thessaloniki, Halkidiki (Chalkidiki), Kavala, Drama, Serres, Kilkis, Pella, Imathia, Pieria, Florina, Kozani, Grevena and Kastoria.

Festivals and cultural tradition in Serres

The Gynaeocracy: At Monoklisia, on the 8th of January, the women take control and reverse roles with men. The visitors watch the new "Amazons" receiving the key of the village for one day. They take over the manly jobs and sit around in coffe-houses and men take over the housework.

Gerakina: Gerakina is celebrated every year during Easter in the town of Nigtita, in memory of the homonymous legend. There is also a well-known traditional song "Gerakina" that describes the whole story.

Kalogeros in Agia Eleni: Kalogeros(=the Monk) During this celebration, a villager playing a king is drawn along in a chariot. He goes from house to house, offering wine to the householders and is preceded by the kalogeros, who is dressed in “a rough sack... down to his knees, a belt... hung with bells... a mask made from a pumpkin and shaped like the muzzle of a beast with holes for the eyes and mouth.

The Anastenaria, the well-known fire-walking ritual, also know as the "Dinysian dances". This festival is being held on May 21st (the name day of the Saints Constantine and Helen) in Agia Eleni. The ceremony starts on May the 20th –Sts-. Constantine and Eleni eve - with animal sacrifices “Kourbani” and transfer of the icons of the two saints from the village’s church to “Konaki” (lodging) where sleeplessness and general preparation of the devotees for the inspiration take place. In the morning of the 21st May, the Anastenarides bring the icons to Agiasma, the holly place in the small wood. In the afternoon of May the 21st the first fire walking takes place.

The Nature of Serres

Water Buffalo: At Lake Kerkini you can see the Water Buffalo

The cave of Alistrati: The cave is located 6 kilometers sout-east of the village Alistratio. It is considered one of the largest caves, even in europe. he explored surface of the cave is of 25000 m and lenght of 3000 m

The Kerkini Lake: This is one of the most important places of natural interest. The lake was created by making embankments on the eastern and western sides and a dam was constructed near the village of Lithotopos. The main water provider of the lake is the Strymon river. Here you can find also the Dalmatian Pelican.The Dalmatian Pelican is the largest of the pelicans, averaging 170 cm in length, 11-15 kg in weight and just over 3 min wingspan.

The Vironia aquarium: It is the only one in Northern Greece and has 30 species of fish from the lake.

The Macedonian map Links: Hotels, hostels, apartments, villas in Serres Serres(dutch) Serres(belgian) Text source: Prefecture committee for tourist promotion of Serres Greekembassy.org Agrotravel.gr