Agios Markos: Mountain Village and Pontic Tradition

Agios Markos is a mountain village at an elevation of 500 metres in the Nomós Kilkís. It lies on the western slopes of Mount Mavrovouni, which is part of the Kroussia Mountains, and southwest of Lake Kerkini. Its elevation, hillside setting and connections to the mountains and lake offer a concrete sense of the character of the place. Together with its Pontic traditions, they create a profile that brings landscape and culture together.

Pontic Traditions and Local Culture

The New Year’s custom of the Momogeroi is revived in Agios Markos; in Pontic, it is also called Ta Momo’eria. At the celebration on 24 April 2023, members of the dance group of the Agios Markos Cultural Association performed traditional Pontic dances. Refreshments were offered to everyone attending the celebration. On the same day, a solemn episcopal vespers service for the feast of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark took place at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Agios Markos. Thus, a New Year’s custom, a celebration with dancing and a church occasion stand alongside one another as distinct cultural references. Their timing is clear: the custom belongs to New Year, while the celebration and vespers took place on 24 April 2023. These themes offer concrete starting points for your trip if you are interested in Pontic traditions and local culture.

Nature Themes in the Wider Kilkis Destination

In the wider Kilkis destination, Lake Doirani offers a different nature theme from the mountainous setting of Agios Markos. The lake is a wetland that serves as a habitat or stopover for numerous resident and migratory birds. Dense reed beds and shoreline vegetation characterise its banks. This makes the lake a point of interest for travellers who are especially attentive to birdlife and the shoreline landscape when observing nature. From the village of Doirani, visitors can follow the path along the shore to the Forest of a Thousand Trees.

The Lake Doirani Museum is open daily from 08:00 to 14:00 for visits and guided tours for school groups. It is also available to residents and visitors to the municipality. Check the opening hours before setting out. This gives the Kilkis destination a specific museum visit as a separate activity, alongside the nature experience at the lake.

Another natural area in the wider Kilkis destination is Pikrolimni. It is a shallow lake beside the village of the same name and usually dries up in summer. Its clay soil contains sulphur compounds and nitrates; healing and cosmetic properties are attributed to it. The contrast with Lake Doirani lies in the features described: there, wetlands, vegetation and birdlife define the nature theme, while at Pikrolimni the focus is on the shallow lake basin, its summer drying-up and its clay soil.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on. Agios Markos combines a mountain setting with Pontic tradition; Doirani and Pikrolimni offer nature themes in the wider Kilkis destination. Consider whether you want your stay to be shaped mainly by the character of Agios Markos or whether the other landscapes of Kilkis are central to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Kilkis, Axioupoli, Palaio Agioneri, Agios Petros, Polykastro, Pontokerasia, Eptálofos, Stathmos Mourion

Back to the wider travel overview: Kilkis.