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| General info |
The prefecture of Serres is one of the 13 prefectures of the region of Macedonia, the greatest and most prosperous region of Greece. It occupies the eastern part of Macedonia and it stretches from the gulf of Stymon to the Greek Bulgarian frontiers. From the East it has common boundaries with the prefectures of Drama and Kavala and from the west with the prefectures of Thessaloniki and Kilkis. The prefecture of Serres has many plains surrounded by the mountains Kerkini, Vertisko, Kerdilia, Orvilo, Menikio and Pagaio. The river Strimon that runs through it originates from Bulgaria and leads out in the gulf of Strimon.
The city of Serres appears for the first time in history at the beginning of the 5th century AC Herodotus refers to it with the name Stris and to its name Sira. The most ancient inscription found in Serres is Roman and it can be seen at Sirios that means Sun. The more ancient relics found are from the Roman era. The city of Serres becomes the most important and prosperous city of the seventh province of the Byzantine empire. During the 8th century Serres plays a very important role in the Greek history. The Byzantine writers refer to it as "great and admirable city", "powerful", "prosperous" and "metropolis". During the Middle Ages it suffered a lot of destructions and it was enslaved by many conquerors. The Franks conquered it in the end of year 1204. In 1205 the tsar of Bulgaria Ioannis A’ conquered the city and destroyed it completely. In 1245, the city came to the possession of the emperor of Nicea, Ioannis Vatatzis. In 1345 the ruler of Serbia conquered the city of Serres and built the tower of the acropolis, known as the tower of Orestis. The city came to the possession of the King of Thessaloniki, Manouil B’ in 1371. In 1383, the Turks conquered the city, which state under Turkish occupation for 530 years.
The archeological excavations have brought to light many important findings at the area around Amfipolis. Today, the visitors can admire two Macedonian graves, which are dated in the 3rd century BC. Furthermore, the ancient walls of the city and the ancient bridge conquered by the Spartan general Vrasidas in 424 BC. There is also the Gymnasium, the most important building of the city, the Hellenistic house, the Roman villa and the four Basilikas from the paleochristianic era whose floors are decorated with wonderful mosaics. One of the most important monuments of Amfipolis and of Macedonia in general is the Lion of Amfipolis, which is beside the western bank of the river Strimon. It is an imposing marble statue of a big lion, which was restored and reconstructed at the original place where it was in the 4th century BC. There are other archeological sites, which are not yet developed in other places of the prefecture such as Gazoros, Vergi, Terpni, Kalokastro, Aidochori and Sidirokastro.
The cave of Alistrati it is a unique natural monument of great importance, which is situated 6kms from the southeastern part of the village Allistrati. The already explored champers and corridors are 3.000 meters long with exquisite formations of stalactites and stalagmites, some of them being 30m high. There is also the rare species of eccentrites and twisting form of elikites.
The monastery of Timios Prodromos is situated 8km away from the eastern part of the city of Serres, at a ravine of the mountain Menikios. There, at the peaceful and reverent environment the human soul can tear away from the mundane everyday life.
The oldest and most precious building of the city of Serres is surely the restored temple of Agii Theodori. It is a magnificent church, a basilica tricliti, which is situated at the center of the old city (Varosi). It is built under the surface of the earth at the remains of an ancient temple.
The forest of Lailia is a spectacular natural beauty. It is a unique paradise, a rare combination of natural harmony and wilderness. Extremely tall trees, deep ravines, precipitous rocks are its main characteristics. The forest of Lailia gives shelter to a variety of wild animals and rare species of birds. There are a few brown bears, roebucks, vultures, wild turkeys and partridges. During the winter the forest acquires an alpine magnificence as it is covered with snow and it attracts a lot of Greek climbers and nature lovers.
The lake Kerkini is a natural miracle which came from the human intervention at the river Strimon and became a shelter for thousands of aquatic birds. One of the main characteristics of the lake is that the largest part of its surface is covered by water lilies. The lake is the only place in Greece where herds of buffalos can be seen. |
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