| Serres (Σέρρες) | |
|---|---|
 view of the modern city of Serres from the Acropolis |
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| Location | |
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| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
| Elevation (center): | 50 m (164 ft) |
| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Periphery: | Central Macedonia |
| Prefecture: | Serres |
| Mayor: | Ioannis Blahos |
| Population statistics (as of 2001[1]) | |
| City Proper | |
| - Population: | 56,145 |
| - Area:[2] | 252.973 km² (98 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 222 /km² (575 /sq mi) |
| Codes | |
| Postal codes: | 621 xx |
| Area codes: | 23210 |
| License plate codes: | ΕΡ |
| Website | |
| www.serres.gr | |
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Sérres or Sérrhae (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. It is situated in a fertile plain at an elevation of about 70 m, 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 homonymous prefecture of Serres and is situated in the Central Macedonia periphery. Its population was 56,145 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 1345 and became a capital of Stefan Dušan, the Serbian King. Dušan was so satisfied with the hard siege of the third Byzantine city that he crowned himself Emperor of Serbs and Greeks. After his death the Empire fell apart into feudal anarchy and the Empress Consort Hellen continued to govern Serres' area from 1356, but already in 1365 she was ousted by Despot Jovan Uglješa Mrnjavčević, who forged a tiny but powerful mini-state in Serres. After the 1371 Battle of Maritsa, the Byzantines returned Serres to their control. However already in 1383 the Ottomans conquered it. 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.
Landmarks
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.
- Public Regional Theatre (Δημοτικό Περιφερειακό Θέατρο/Dimotiko Perifereiako Theatro)
Cuisine
In Serres, gyros and souvlaki are standard forms of Greek cuisine served in many restaurants and taverns. One delicacy that is truly unique to the region is akanes, which is a type of gourmet candy delight prepared according 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 delight in their quaint workshop, which is reminiscent of life in the 1950s.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 46,317 | - |
| 1991 | 49,830 | +3,513/+7.58% |
| 2001 | 56,145 | +6,315/+12.67 |
Famous People
- Efstathios Tavlaridis
- Giorgos Kapoutzidis (1972) scriptwriter and actor
- Andreas Andreou former mayor of Serres with a total of 16 years of mayorship,founder of the Agioi Anargyroi Park
Sporting teams
- Panserraikos - second division (2006-07 season) Website
- Ofka Serres - Omilos Filon Klassikou Athlitismou) [1]
References
- "Sérrai." Encyclopædia Britannica, 2006.
- "Sérrai, Siris, or Serres." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2004.
- ^ PDF (875 KB) 2001 Census (Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece (ΕΣΥΕ). www.statistics.gr. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
- ^ (Greek) Basic Characteristics. Ministry of the Interior. www.ypes.gr. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
External links
- Information about Serres(English) (Greek)
- Information about Serres by the Municipality of Serres(Greek)
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| Municipalities | 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 |
| Communities | Achladochori • Agkistro • Ano Vrontou • Oreini • Promachonas |
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