Serres, Greece
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- This article is about the city in Macedonia (Greece). For other uses see Serres.
  Serres (Σέρρες) |
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| Coordinates | 41°5′ N 23°33′ E | |
| Country | Greece | |
| Periphery | Central Macedonia | |
| Prefecture | Serres | |
| Population | 56,145 source (2001) | |
| Area | 253.0 km² | |
| Population density | 222 /km² | |
| Elevation | 50 m | |
| Postal code | 621 xx | |
| Area code | 23210 | |
| Licence plate code | ΕΡ | |
| Website | www.serres.gr | |
Serres (Greek: Σέρρες, older form: Σέρραι, Turkish: Serez or Siroz, Slavic: Серез/Serez, Сяр/Syar or Сер/Ser) is a city in the Greek region of Macedonia. Located at , it is situated in a fertile plain at an elevation of about 70m, some 24 km northeast of the Strymon river and 69 km north-east of the Macedonian capital, Thessaloniki. The Rhodope Mountains rise to the north and east of the city.
The city is the capital of the eponymous prefecture of Serres and is situated in the Central Macedonia periphery. Its population was estimated at about 56,000 in 2001.
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History
Known to the Romans as Serrae or Serrhae, Serres became the site of a major fortress built by the Byzantine Empire to guard the empire's northern frontier and the strategic Rupel Pass into Bulgaria. Defeated by the Bulgarians in the 10th century, it fell to Serbia in the 14th century and became a capital of Stefan Dušan, the Serbian tsar.
Serbian control was brief, however, as the Ottoman Empire captured Serres in 1383. In the early 20th century the city became a focus of anti-Ottoman unrest, which resulted in the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising of 1903.
A Bulgarian army captured Serres in the Second Balkan War of 1913, but was forced to withdraw by Greek forces. The city had to be completely rebuilt after being burned to the ground by the retreating Bulgarians. It was reoccupied by Bulgaria in both the First World War and Second World War and suffered further severe damage. Since the war, Serres has benefited from government-led programmes to develop its economy with foreign capital.
Economy
Serres is the capital of a primarily agricultural district and is an important trade centre for tobacco, grain, and livestock. Following the development of a government-sponsored manufacturing area in the late 20th century, it has also become a centre for the production of textiles and other manufactured items.
Cuisine
Most typical fare enjoyed by the citizens of Serres is characteristic of the Greek cuisine: A combination of mediterranean and middle eastern flavors, mild, and almost entirely devoid of hot spices. 'Gyros', a greek variation (pork included) of the middle eastern 'shoarma', or turkish 'Doner kebab', is the main fast food item of choice. 'Souvlaki', in the northern greek sense, is also consumed here, most famously in the 'Souvlaki zone' around the pedestrianised streets of downtown Serres.
One delicacy that is truly unique to the region is akanes, which is a type of gourmet turkish delight prepared to a secret recipe since the beginning of the 20th century by the 'Roumbos' family. Allegedly, 'Aristeidis Roumbos', the confectioner who invented this candy, disclosed the recipe to one of his loyal trainees, who then proceeded to establish a rival 'akanes' business. Nevertheless, the Roumbos family, to this day, continues to produce this mouth watering delight in their quaint workshop, which is reminiscent of life in the 1950's.
Sights and attractions
The city has forests, parks, non-gridded roads and squares. Serres stretches from the ruins of the castle up to the forested hills of Koula.
On the road to Koula hills on Exochon (Exochi) Street, two parks, one is the Agioi Anargyroi Park founded near the downtown area. Night clubs and cafeterias are popular attractions, especially in the summertime.
Sites of interest
- Public Regional Theatre (Δημοτικό Περιφερειακό Θέατρο/Dimotiko Perifereiako Theatro)
Serres has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, a post office, a sporting centre, a train station, and squares (plateies).
Neighborhoods
- Katakonozi is one of the most prosperous neighborhoods of the city, and it is currently experiencing a real estate boom.
Historical population
| Year | Population | Change | Municipal population | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 46,317 | - | - | - |
| 1991 | 49,830 | 3,513/7.6% | - | - |
| 2001 | 56,145 | - | - | - |
Famous People
Sporting teams
- Panserraikos - second division (2006-07 season) Website
- Ofka Serres - Omilos Filon Klassikou Athlitismou) [1]
External links
- Information about Serres (Greek and English)
- Information about Serres by the Municipality of Serres (Greek only)
References
- "Sérrai." Encyclopædia Britannica, 2006.
- "Sérrai, Siris, or Serres." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2004.
| Municipalities and communities of the Serres Prefecture |
|---|
| Achinos • Alistrati • Amfipoli • Emmanouil Pappas • Irakleia • Kato Mitrousi • Kerkini • Kormista • Lefkonas • Nea Zichni • Nigrita • Petritsi • Proti • Rodolivos • Serres • Sidirokastro • Skotousa • Skoutari • Strymonas • Strymoniko • Tragilos • Visaltia |
| Achladochori • Agkistro • Ano Vrontou • Oreini • Promachonas |
