First of Serres, on the way to Amphipolis

OR First of Serres belongs to Municipality of Amphipolis and is located on the road connecting the Drama with the Amphipolis. It is built at an altitude just 300 m. and the reasons for a stop at First are many.

For food and moonshine in the taverns of the village, for old tobacco shop for both of its separate Museums, the Konstantinos G. House. Karamanlis and "Hayati Ladia».

In the First last Sunday of Carnival revives an ancient carnival custom the 'Custom of Dervena» (dervena = big fire), symbolizing purification and rebirth.

In the old days the inhabitants of every mahala (neighborhood) they collected wood and oaks from Paggaio, they set them up in a clever way, in fact, they kept them in shifts so as not to be stolen from a neighboring mahala, and on the last Sunday of Carnival they lit a big fire (dervena). Each mahalas aimed at the highest "dervena" or the one that would go out last, to gain impressions. Today the custom takes place in Dervenas square, in place glebe where the fire is lit in a specially designed space. A feast with traditional music follows, dancing and local treats such as sarmadakia, wine, moonshine, sweets etc.. (information : Association of Philosophers of First Serres "I Proodos"). Every November the Tsipouro Festival, with dancing and plenty of tsipouro offered for free (information : Association of Philosophers of First Serres "I Proodos").

IN THE FIRST FOR FOOD

Try local flavors like σαρμαδάκια (dolmades) and "shooter» (fried pie with spinach or cheese) accompanied by a local tsipouro, of wine or ouzo.

Most taverns are located around central square of Konstantinos Karamanlis and we mention to you the ones that work in winter as well :

«Ήδωνες», at the main square, local cuisine of Magda, with local products
"The PLATANOS", at the main square, tavern
«The entanglements-11th commandment», coffee ouzo- tavern
«The Corner of the Round», ouzo - grill
«Tsiotas ChristosOuzo-cafe
«Πραβίτας», coffee grill- moonshine
Samaras Christos, cafe-ouzo

During the summer months :

«Hadjidipas», pizzeria - cafeteria
«Τζιάρας», pizzeria - cafeteria
"Amphitheater", Summer Bar, with nice garden

In the taverns of the village you will find to buy loose moonshine and wine produced by local winemakers.

FIRST OF SERRES - SIGHTS

Folklore Museum "Hayati Ladia" (2014)

The Museum is housed in 2 its old tobacco warehouses 1920, structured with stone and wood, according to the local architecture. At the end of 19^thearly 20^th century. The cultivation and trade of tobacco was the main occupation of the inhabitants of the wider area of Paggaio..

In one of the 2 buildings you will see the original roof of an old tobacco warehouse. Externally 2 Ground floor buildings are framed by cobbled streets and a semi-outdoor loggia.

The Museum opened the 2014 to house the private collection of Vasiliki Ladia and Christos Tsifoutis. in 1^ortobacco warehouse, "Achilles" building gathered tools and objects related to the cultivation and processing of tobacco. In summer, various events such as painting exhibitions take place outside the building, crafts etc..

at 2^or tobacco warehouse, "Daphne" building, The interior of a traditional Protea house was created with authentic old furniture, household objects, embroidery, rugs, old photos etc..

Responsible : Royal Oils, tel. : 23240 61676, 6977 924671, www.hayatiladia.gr, general entrance 2 €, for groups 1 € (open all hours and for groups by arrangement).

Konstantinos G. House. Karamanlis

A nice two-storey building 1905 in which he was born Κωνσταντίνος Γ. Karamanlis (1907-1998, Member of Parliament, Minister, Prime Minister and President of the Republic). A part of the house functions as Museum Κωνσταντίνου Γ. Karamanlis, with his office and personal belongings, various documents, books, photos, etc.. Admission is free and an appointment is required with the person in charge of the house keys (tel. : 6976 125355). Address : Chrysostomou Smyrnis street, between the churches, Ag. Georgiou and Ag. Friday (there is a sign).

in central square of the village you will see the his statue Konstantinos Karamanlis.

Old Urban School First

It was built between 1905 – 1908, on the initiative of the then Metropolitan of Drama Chrysostom. In the process, the building initially served as an elementary school and later as a police station. Today is housed the Association of Philosophers "I Proodos". The Urban School Protis was the school attended by Konstantinos G.. Karamanlis. You will find it next to the church of Agia Paraskevi.

Agiasma of Agios Georgios or church of Agios Georgios (1868),

You will see the miraculous image of the Saint going down 32 stairs you will reach Agiasma.

St.. George is the patron saint of Proti, and is especially honored on 23 April or after Easter.

Agia Paraskevi Church

Tobacco shop Oils (Evangelou) (1926)

The old three-storey tobacco shop of the Ladia family was completed in 1926 and today it has been transformed into a beautiful apartment building (near the main square).

Zarkinou Tobacco Shop (1915)

His old tobacco warehouse 1915 which today is the headquarters of the Giorgio - Diamond lingerie industry. It has a gas station where you can buy modern underwear, for the entire family, at very good prices. Open Monday-Friday, 6 am-2.30 pm (afternoon by appointment, tel. : 23240 61871), https://www.giorgiounderwear.4ty.gr.

Monastery of the First Ascension or "Divine Ascension»

On the way from First to Shelter First “Bougatina», (1.200 m.) you will find its old monastery First Ascension or "Divine Ascension», to 930 m. altitude (It is 7 km from the village). The view from the Monastery to the plain of Serres is unique. features bill of sale where you can buy products made by nuns with their own pure materials. You will find Paggaio herbs, monastic handmade noodles, trachana, sauces, buns, sweets, fresh fruit liqueur of the area, monastic creams for various ailments, soaps, shampoo with donkey milk etc. (for orders : 6981 077 094 and hours 9 a.m. -2 p.m.).

open :

The summer : Monday – Saturday 9 am-1.30 pm. and 4.30 p.m.- 6.30 p.m., Sunday 6.30 a.m. – 6.30 pm. and the winter : Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sunday 6.30 a.m. – 4 pm. and many times until 5.30 pm. The monastery is built in a beautiful forest with enough snow in winter’ this before going up to the monastery, it would be better to call the nuns to find out about the condition of the road. The Monastery phone is open for communication : daily 10 am-1 p.m.. except Wednesday and Friday, tel. : 2324 061842, https://ieramonianalipseos.gr.

It is an old Byzantine monastery, unknown when it was built, but according to his diary 1970 of the Monastery pre-existed from 1878 as a man. It suffered many destructions by Turks and Bulgarians, the years 1913, 1917, 1944 and rebuilt along the way. The architecture of Katholikon is impressive, rotunda type, in which several relics of Saints are kept, such as Saints Arsenios of Cappadocia and I.. Chrysostom. The 1979 After the actions of the late Konstantinos Karamanlis, the Monastery was transformed into a nunnery. It celebrates 40 days after Easter, of the Ascension.

HIKING IN THE FIRST

From the First and the position New EEA Kiosk (about 350 m. altitude), the road goes up to Holy Monastery of the Ascension (altitude 930 m., distance 7 km). For more hiking you will follow the passable dirt road that leads to Shelter First “Bougatina» (1.200 m., approximately 6 km).

OR mountaineering route includes many intermediate stops :

position Mountaineering kiosk, with tap
position Hunters Kiosk First, with cool water from the tap Tube
Chapel Prophet Elias (celebrated on 20 July)
position Pouliana Kiosk of the Mountaineering Association Protis
position Ascension Monastery
position Troughs, with watering cans for livestock animals
Shelter First, end of the route

Information : Hellenic Mountaineering - Ski Association of First Serres, EEA, tel. : 6979 630866.

FIRST OF SERRES – ACCOMMODATION

Proti has no hotels or other rental accommodation. For accommodation in the area serves the neighboring village Rodolivos, which is also the seat of the Municipality of Amphipolis.

useful information

Every two years, the month May, takes place at the First Sports Center, or Panhellenic Apprenticeship. Includes Olympic sports, actions of the Paralympic Games, and cultural events with the participation of high school students from all prefectures of the country, www.mathitiada.gr.

FIRST - ACCESS

Proti of Serres is far from the city of Drama 28 Km, from Serres 50 km and from Thessaloniki 125 Km (via Egnatia Odos).