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| Serres | ||
| region | Central Macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 58.287 (2011) | |
| height | 70 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Serres is a city in Greece.
background
The small town of Serres is located off the normal tourist routes in Greece on a fertile plain at an altitude of about 70 m, about 25 km northeast of the Strymonas River and 70 km northeast of the Macedonian capital Thessaloniki at the edge of Rhodope Mountains Mountains. It is the capital of the Serres prefecture. Serres is an important economic center, especially for trade with the Balkans. In addition, Serres is an important transport hub in the Greek province of Macedonia, especially for traffic to and from Bulgaria.
getting there
Bezesteni
By train
By bus
- 2 Bus station (KTEL)
In the street
Serres is via federal highway with Thessaloniki (80km) and over drama With Kavala (90km) connected and north to Sofia (Bulgaria) (230km).
mobility
In the city center you can walk to all the interesting places as the city is small and flat. A vehicle is essential for sightseeing outside the city.
Tourist Attractions
Downtown
Zinzirli mosque
Mehmet Pasha Mosque
Castle ruins
Yusuf Muhlis Pasha fountain
Map of Serres
- 1 Bezesteni (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μπεζεστένι, Archaeological Museum). The bezesteni date from the end of the 15th century and are located in the most central part of the city, on Eleftherias Square. During the Ottoman rule, the city of Serres developed into one of the most important trading centers with a very important trade in goods. This type of building was considered by the Ottoman Turks covered market built. In the market there were traders of various nationalities who traded a wide range of goods, dominated by cotton. In Greece there are only two left, in Thessaloniki and in Serres. The Serres Bezistan is a one-story building measuring 21 x 31 m with a tiled roof and six domes. It is in good condition. The restored and renovated building now serves as a archaeological museum and houses finds from all eras from the Serres area.
- 2 Tzintzirli Mosque (Τζιντζιρλί Τζαμί). One of the oldest Ottoman mosques in Europe and the most important of its kind in architectural history. It is considered to be excellent acoustics and is an architectural masterpiece.
- 3 Akhmet Pasa Mosque (Τζαμί Αχμέτ Πασά, Mehmet Bay).
It was built in 1492 by Mehmet Bey, the son of the Grand Vizier and the famous Turkish general Ahmet Pasha Kedik, as mentioned in an inscription on the shield of the main entrance of the mosque. Because of its resemblance to Christian temples, the Serres call it "Agia Sophia". - 4 Kotza Moustafa Mosque. The mosque of Kotza Mustafa was built around 1519 AD by the vizier of Sultan Kota Mustafa. Unfortunately in a bad state of preservation.
- 5 Byzantine castle (Βυζαντινό Κάστρο Ακρόπολη). The Byzantine fortifications from the 13th-14th centuries. served to secure the border with today's Bulgaria. Ruins of the castle and popular viewpoint of the city with the Cityzen restaurant.
- 6 Yusuf Muhlis Pasha Fontain (Yusuf Muhli's Pasha Fountain).Decorative marble fountain north of the Ismail tomb and family burial site. The inscription on the fountain shows that it was built in 1814 by Yusuf Pasha from Serres, son of Ismail Bey.
- Archaeological Museum (Bezesteni). A small but informative historical and archaeological museum.
- Vlachen Folklore Museum (Λαογραφικό Μουσείο Βλάχων). The Vlachs are a tribe used as shepherds in the mountains of the Rhodope Mountains lived and whose culture is shown here.
- Sarakatsani Folklore Museum (Λαογραφικό Μουσείο Σαρακατσάνων). The Sarakatsani are a shepherd people from the Rhodope Mountainswhose culture is shown here.
in the neighborhood
- 1 Kerkini lake (Κερκίνη).Scenic beautiful lake with many viewpoints, especially on the west bank. A visitor center is located in the village of Kerkini, away from the lake, but is well worth a visit, with free maps and orientation. The lake is an absolute must for bird watchers, especially at the time of bird migration, as many of the birds stop there. One can take a boat from the pier near Kerkini to see pelicans (two species), flamingos and many other species in large numbers and up close. Price (from 2018) € 7-10 per person for 60-90 minutes for groups.
- 7 Fort Roupel (Ρούπελ).Underground fortress to protect the border with Bulgaria, which was captured by the Wehrmacht in World War II.
- 8 Siderokastro Castle. A Byzantine castle on a 155 m high hill above the city of Sidirokastro. It is also known as Issari Fortress from the Turkish name of the city "Demir Hisar" which means iron castle. "Sidirokastro" means the same thing. The castle was first built in 527 under Emperor Justinian. It was built in the 11th century by Basil II and later by Emperor Andronicos III. (1328-1341) reinforced. It seems that the castle was important in Byzantine times to control the Bulgarian raids into the plains of Macedonia. The Byzantine tower Andronikos on the river Krousovitis under the castle of Sidirokastro was obviously built to protect the river bridge at this point. Its name comes from the Byzantine emperor Andronikos III. Palaiologos, who is also responsible for the last major renovation of the Sidirokastro castle complex.
- 9 Zichna castle ruins. The ruins of the Byzantine castle of Zichna from the 14th century. are located 6 kilometers northwest of today's village of Nea Zichni. Sections of the fortress, two gates and a tower, as well as a Byzantine church, a cistern and two Ottoman baths have been preserved. Conquered and destroyed by the Ottomans in 1375.
- 10 Mandraki castle ruins. The castle ruins most likely date from Byzantine times, although there is evidence that an ancient city (Sindia) was located in this location. The remaining wall is now part of the village's cemetery wall. The ruin is located near the ring road of Lake Kerkini, on the east side of the village of Mandraki.
- 1 Monastery of the Holy Prophet of Acritohori (Ιερόν Ησυχαστήριο Τιμίου Προδρόμου Ακριτοχωρίου). Very beautiful monastery complex on Lake Kerkini, which is definitely worth a visit.
- 2 Monastery of the Prophet Elias (Ιερά Μονή Προφήτη Ηλία). One of the simplest and most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia with an imposing tower at the entrance (tower copy monastery on Mount Athos), a small and beautiful church and beautiful surroundings.
- 3 Timiou Prodromou Monastery (Ιερά Μονή Τιμίου Προδρόμου). Built in 1270, beautiful, very well-kept complex. There is an exhibition of olive oil and tsipouro with the traditional tools of its production, then an exhibition of products that the monks make themselves with herbs. The main church with hagiographies comes from the 19th century. Definitely worth a visit. A little above is the remarkable stone bridge of Agia Paraskevi.
activities
shop
In the city center and on the arteries, all of the major Greek supermarket chains have branches that also serve to supply the rural areas. Many specialty shops and shops for daily needs are located in the center
kitchen
In the city center you will find a rich selection of restaurants and fast food.
nightlife
One cannot expect a particularly exciting nightlife in a small provincial town. In the center there are many pubs and cafes where you can spend the evenings.
accommodation
As everywhere in Greece, the many hotels, guest houses and rooms are listed and rated in the popular internet booking portals. Large and very comfortable hotel complexes in Serres are:
health
- hospital (ΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ ΣΕΡΡΩΝ). It is located on the outskirts on the arterial road towards Drama.
Practical advice
- WIFI-WLan. is available for free in almost all cafes on request and also in many restaurants.
trips
- drama. Small town in beautiful surroundings.
- Kavala. Most beautiful city in Northern Greece.
- Pangeo. Almost 2000 m high mountain range with many mountain villages and monasteries well worth seeing and the archaeological site Amphipolis.
- Rhodope Mountains: barely inhabited mountain range of wild beauty with many natural attractions
