The Prefecture of Serres consists of the following municipalities, according to the Law 2539/1997 (Kapodistrias Plan):
1. Alistrati, 2. Amfipoli, 3. Achinos, 4. Visaltia, 5. Emmanouil Pappas, 6. Heraklia, 7. Kerkini, 8. Kato Mitrousion, 9. Kormista, 10. Lefkon, 11. Nea Zichni, 12. Nigrita, 13. Petritsion, 14. Proti, 15. Serres, 16. Sidirokastron, 17. Skotoussa, 18. Skoutari, 19. Strymonikon, 20. Strymonas, 21. Rodolivos, 22. Tragilos
and the communities of:
1. Achladochorion, 2. Angistron, 3. Ano Vrondou, 4. Orini, 5. Promachon.
In the following WebPages you can find an interactive map with all the monuments and museums of the Prefecture, with relevant information and photos.
The custom of Gynaecocracy in the Villages of Monoklisia, N. Petra and A. Kamila, are very well known all over Greece. A large number of visitors, Greek and foreign reporters visit the Prefecture on the 8th of January every year, to watch from a close distance the new "Amazons" receiving the key of the village for one day. The married women elect a woman as a chairperson, whose term of office lasts for four years. Then they elect the rest of the members of the Board, which also consists of women. All the positions are occupied by women that day. You encounter a role of reversal in society; a traffic policewoman, a postwoman etc. The men are occupied with housework; they wash the clothes, do the ironing, look after the children and in general they wear the housewife's apron and they are busy in the house, which is left in a complete mess by the wives. So, while the husbands are busy with the housework the wives are holding a "session" at the coffee house.
They are smoking, playing cards and enjoying themselves until the early hours. None of the men are allowed to take part in the festivities. If one of them dares to appear the least that is going to happen to him is to get drenched with water. This is a Thracian custom and it was brought here by the Thracian refugees. Another name for this custom is the festivity of "Babo" and also "vrexoudio" because on that day the men who dare to go out of the house get completely wet. This custom is a distant recall of the primitive period's matriarchal spirit which was obvious in the religion of people from Asia Minor from the Prehistoric period. Most probably it influenced the northern areas (Thrace) and was slightly preserved in life. Lately, the custom adopted a particular festive style and became a real tourist attraction with its "Dionysus style" celebrations, in which women play the main roles.
Klidonas is a custom that originates from the ancient times, when "Klidona" was prevalent. Klidona means rambling words and incoherent actions, which were heard or seen during oracular ceremonies which were of prophetic importance. In the neohellenic perception this custom was developed in a beautiful and interesting rite, preserving the erotic oracles. The custom of Klidonas becomes alive on St. John' s day, which is on 24th June, and fits in with the sun's summer change, whose power reveals the future, according to the dull memories of the past.
The festivity begins the day before the 24th of June with big fires which even children jump over. Afterwards, the unmarried women bring the "speechless water" from the well and empty it in "gragouda" (earthware jug) together with a "rizikari", a personal and usually valuable object. Then they cover "gragouda" and leave it under the clear sky for the night. Finally, they all go to bed and dream of the man they are going to get married to.
The following day they open gragouda while they are singing. The women take back their personal objects while they listen to a couplet which has some kind of meaning for the lady' s "riziko" (destiny). By the time the women have finished collecting their belongings, the sun sets and every girl fills her mouth with a sip of "speechless water", stands in front of her window and waits until she hears the first male name. It is believed that this is going to be the name of her future husband.
On the Shrove Monday, where they offer mess to the visitors
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