Seres, Greek Macedonia

Seres, the prefectural capital, is a modern, bustling city, with broad streets and open squares. The new town blends pleasantly with the old. In its northern sector, on the piney hill of Koula, the ruins of the ancient acropolis and the Byzantine castle bear witness to a history stretching from the depths of time.

There is also a 14th century church here, dedicated to St. Nicholas with beautiful mosaics. At a distance of 12 kilometres, in a gorge stands the monastery of Timios Prodromos (1270 A.D.) with frescoes of various eras.More antiquities are to be found at Amfipolis, 62 kilometres from Seres, once an Athenian colony, founded in 437 B.C.

Outside the village, near the bridge over the Strimon river, the famous Lion of Amfipolis was discovered, a 4th century B.C. funerary sculpture. The pieces were reassembled and now the Lion guards the bridge.

Sidirokastro, near the Bulgarian border, is a pretty town built on the banks of the Kroussovitis river. It took its name (Iron Castle) from the stronghold on the imposing rock, 155 m. above it, that once offered sure protection. The town and the surrounding area are almost overwhelmed by greenery and richly endowed with streams, waterfalls, bridges, churches and monasteries.

In the nearby village of Monoklissia woman dominate the village and in Gazoro they still do Dionysian ancient dances. The cave at Alistrati is one of the largest and most spectacular in Greece.

The Lai-Lia Ski center has two ski lifts, ski rental, a restaurant open on weekends and a moderately difficult slope. The fishing is good in the Strimon and Kroussovitis rivers and on Mount Vrontos there is a mountain climbing refuge that sleeps 60 people. There are thermal spas at Therma, near Nigrita and at Loutra near Sidirokastro

May 21st-23rd

The Anasternaria is the traditional fire walking which dates back to pagan times.

Barefoot villagers of Agia Elleni near Serres and at Langada near Thessaloniki, clasp icons of Saint Constantine and Saint Helen, who are celebrated throughout Greece on May 21st, and dance upon charcoal embers without getting burned.

Used with permission from Matt Barrett's Greece Travel Guide