PREFECTURE OF SERRES

The prefecture is bordered to the north by Bulgaria and Skopia, to the east by the prefecture of Drama, to the south-east by the prefecture of Kavala, to the west by the prefecture of ThessalonikI and Kilkis and to the south the gulf of Orphano or else Strymoniko lies. A prefecture with great potential for the development of tourism but attracts a small number of visitors because of the lack of the relevant infrastructure. However, it has become popular recently, as a result of its interesting and worthy folklore festivals, such as "Gazoro" [Dionysian dances], "Monoklissia" [female dominance], "Agia Eleni" and many others. There is local tourism because of the interest in winter sports such as mountain climbing and skiing at the Lailia`s snow centre. Apart from this, the impressive Byzantine castle and tower, the marble lion at Amphipoli, the monastery, the thermal hot springs and the beautiful caves at Alistrati.

The prefecture of Serres has the largest area of plough fields and the largest irrigated areas in the whole country. This makes it the largest producer of rice [more than half of Greece], and the second largest of barley and tobacco. It is also the third largest producer of sugar beet and has one of the three sugar refineries in the country. It is also the fourth largest producer of cotton and sesame and fifth in the production of wheat. The dairy farms are highly advanced with its leading production of beef, "feta" cheese and veal.
At Monoklisia, on the 8th of January, the women take control and reverse roles with men. They take over the manly jobs and sit around in coffee-houses and men take over the housework. An unusual custom takes place on the 21st of May, at the village of Agia Eleni where dancers with bare feet dance on hot burning coal, without being burnt at all. This custom is supposed to have originated from the wild worship of Dionysos with the Mainades and the Vakches.

The area was inhabited since the Neolithic Age as seen by the number of "toumpes" [pre-historic settlements which looked like hills]. The first inhabitants were theThraceans who were later thrown out by the Hellenistic colonists, in the 4th BC century, and the Macedonians who occupied the area under the rule of Philip the Second. Serres is a land of mythology and legends, as there lies the Paggeo Mountain where Dionysos lived and Orpheas played his harp. The mythological hero Hercules saved the area from the floods of Strymonas River. In the Historical Times, many towns where flourishing and the most important was Amphipoli where the species of the Macedonian state were cut. It was military base in the Byzantine Times and one of the administrative centres in the Roman Times.

The capital of the province and the prefecture of Serres, with a population of 54.666 inhabitants. It is the second largest urban centre in Eastern Macedonia - Thrace. It is built on the eastern edge of the plain of Serres, at the foot of Menikio Mountain. The city is divided into two parts: the old town with its oriental appearance and the modern town with its avenues, the squares and the parks. Serres is the largest agricultural and industrial centre in the country.

Sidirokastro: Historical town built near the entrance of the valley of Strymonas, on the banks of Kroussovitis River. The name comes from a fortified castle of Bassilios the "Bulgarotonos". During the years of the Turks domination, it was the centre of the Hellenism and resisted strongly during the Macedonian wars. The town is proud of its monuments such as the church of Ag. Demetrios, carved into a rock and the beautiful bridges of Kroussovitis. A few kilometres away, at the Baths of Sidirokastro there are thermal hot springs.

Amphipolis: The present day village lies 62km south-east of Serres. The Ancient town has systematically been excavated since 1956.The city was founded by the Athenians in BC 437, in a short distance from the sea at the crossroads of a network of roads, between a large flowing river, Strymonas and the rich in ores and timber Paggaeo Mountain.

Near Amphipolis, on the west bank of Strymona, near the bridge, stands the magnificent Lion. It is an epitaph monument of plastic art made in the last quarter of the fourth BC century.