Eptamyloi: Pontian Traditions and History

In Eptamyloi, Pontian traditions take center stage: these include the Church of Saint George, built in 1925, an association with a clearly defined preservation goal, and a cultural festival with a specific date. The wider destination of Serres also offers distinct perspectives on religious buildings, museums, and food culture.

Pontian Traditions in Eptamyloi

The Church of Saint George in Eptamyloi was built in 1925 by Pontian refugees. The association “Οι Ακρίτες” aims to preserve Pontian traditions, customs, and dances. It was founded in 1997 by Pontians from the former municipality of Eptámyloi. These connections shed light on different aspects: the church links the area to the architectural history of Pontian refugees, while the association’s founding and its goal relate to the preservation of tradition, customs, and dance.

Another example is the 21st Cultural and Tradition Night with Pontian dishes, held in Eptamyloi on November 12, 2022. The event featured dishes from Pontian cuisine, live music, and a traditional celebration. This dated example thus expands the picture from the history of the building and the association’s goal to a specific festival day featuring food and music.

Culture and History in the Wider Destination of Serres

Serres brings together different historical periods and architectural styles. The Holy Monastery of Timios Prodromos was built in 1270 and houses a museum of Byzantine art. The Church of Saint George Krioneritis was built in the late 13th century; the Church of Saints Theodoroi is a Byzantine structure dating from the 5th or 6th century AD. The King’s Tower of the Acropolis, also called the Tower of Orestes, was built around 1350 and is approximately 20 meters tall. A later architectural reference is the Zincirli Mosque: it is classified among the group of late 16th-century Ottoman buildings associated with the school of Sinan. Together, these buildings offer a chronological overview from early Byzantine churches to Ottoman architecture.

The museums in Serres also cover a range of themes. The Sarakatsani Folklore Museum displays exhibits on Sarakatsani culture and has been in existence since 1979. The Serres Ecclesiastical Museum displays icons, silver artifacts, liturgical vestments, and orphreys. The Olive Museum in Eleonas focuses on an old olive mill, its machinery, and 19th-century methods of producing olive oil. The Natural History Museum of Serres displays various animal species, stuffed birds, and samples of local plants and minerals. Folk culture, religious art, the history of olive oil production, and natural history therefore feature as distinct themes.

Serres’ food culture includes buffalo meat and buffalo products such as cold cuts, sausages, and kavourmas, which are important components of the gastronomic tradition. Bougatsa from Serres has also been a hallmark of the city for decades. The regional cultural picture thus includes its own culinary connections alongside historical and museum themes.

Discover more destinations: Chrisochorafa, Káto Poróïa, Sikia, Ano Poroia, Mavrothalassa, Sidirokastro, Neo Petritsi, Symvoli

For the wider travel overview: Serres.