Serres, nestled at the foot of Mount Menoikio is a place of magnificent landscapes and a wealth of ancient sites and monuments that allow you to immerse yourself in the past. The majestic Serres Fortress is a medieval fortress that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Wander the narrow streets of the Old Town, admire the beautiful Ottoman architecture and visit the Sarai Mosque, a magnificent example of Islamic art.
Serres is also home to a wealth of natural wonders. Alistrati Cave, one of the largest and most impressive caves in Europe, boasts stunning stalactite formations. A hike through Menoikio National Park offers lush forests, crystal-clear streams, and cascading waterfalls. An annual carnival and the annual Serres Flower Festival are held here. Shop at the local markets, where you’ll find fresh produce, souvenirs, and handicrafts.
Location
Serres is a city in Macedonia, Greece. It is situated on a fertile plain at an altitude of about 70 m, about 24 km northeast of the Strymon River.
Holy Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner at Serres
The Holy Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner 9 km east of the city of Serres, in a ravine of Menikio mountain. Founded in the 13th century, the monastery is a remarkable example of Byzantine architecture, featuring intricate frescoes and religious artifacts. It serves as a center for Orthodox Christian worship and monastic life.
Built at the base of a steep vertical rock, about 200 meters from the bank of the Lousios river, the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, with its rich history and contribution to the struggle of the Greeks for liberation, inspires awe in every visitor. The balcony of the Monastery offers a beautiful view of the gorge, as well as tranquility due to the flowing waters of the river.
Byzantine Acropolis of Serres
Serres Castle was the stronghold of Byzantine emperors during their campaigns against neighbouring peoples.This Byzantine Acropolis was built on an ancient fort used to defend the city in the 7th and the 6th centuries BC. During the Byzantine period it had been quoted in many golden bulls of different Byzantine emperors as “Castle”. However, as time went by, the word “Castle” ended up including the whole city.
High and stiff towers were boosting the defensive strength of the wall, of which only the one on the western side, “the tower of the king” was preserved, destroyed only its highest part. This huge tower, reaching no less than 20 meters in height, helped to protect the city as well as served as the last point of defence in case the enemy stormed the rest of the Acropolis.
Zincirli Mosque
The Zingirli Mosque, dating back to the mid-17th century, can be considered a mosque built by the Shah of Islam, Muhammad Emin (Şeyhülislam Mehmet Emin). The mosque is distinguished by its distinctive architectural design, which utilizes stone from Ankara. A two-story school is located in the mosque’s courtyard, providing religious instruction and centers for memorizing the Holy Quran. One of the most famous Ottoman mosques in Serres is the Zincirli Mosque. This mosque is a prominent example of Ottoman architecture.
Sarakatsani Folklore Museum
The Sarakatsani Folklore Museum displays an impressive collection of artifacts that tell the story of their daily lives, customs, and crafts. Here, you’ll find traditional costumes, intricate fabrics, and everyday tools that reflect the ingenuity and resilience of the Sarakatsani community.
Κρι Κρι Εργοστάσιο Παγωτού – Θεματικό Πάρκο & Μουσείο (Kri Kri Ice Cream Factory – Theme Park & Museum)
Ice Cream Factory is theme park and museum dedicated to ice cream. Ideal for family with kids or ice cream lovers! Cool museum about ice cream’s history, secrets, and magic. It occupies 2,000 sq.m. and is structured in six different rooms full of colour and modern exhibits, where visitors travel through time, discover the secrets of ice cream, its history and its evolution, while at the end, they have the opportunity to prepare and taste their own favourite flavour in the ice cream workshop!
Archaeological Museum of Serres (Bezesteni)
The Archaeological Museum of Serres has been housed since 1970 in BezestenIt was built on the model of Byzantine markets and its name means cloth market.
Today in Greece only two Bezestenia are preserved, the one in Thessaloniki and the one in Serres. Finds from the Middle and Late Neolithic era, Early and Late Bronze Age (vessels, clay figurines), from the 4th to the 6th-7th BC, the Roman times, the Hellenistic and Byzantine eras are exhibited. It operates every day except Monday, from 8:30 am. it’s 3:00 p.m. (The entrance is free).
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum exhibits that illustrate the unique flora and fauna of Greece. The museum also emphasizes the geological history of the area, providing insightful information about the Earth’s evolution and the significant changes that have shaped the landscape over millions of years. This is a fantastic opportunity for tourists to deepen their understanding of the natural environment.
Menoikio National Park
Menoikio as a mountainous mass is characterized by the very intense relief, due to the rocks, which create landscapes with high aesthetic potential. This is an important site for species breeding in a mosaic of open forest, scrub and grassland.
