Eptálofos: Remembrance and History

Eptálofos can be discovered through an event that brought together village history, sport, and remembrance. A road race held in 2018 was part of the annual events of remembrance and tribute for the Greeks of Pontus who were killed in the massacre. The route announcement at the time and a photo exhibition on the history of the place give this event a specific local connection. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether this historical focus or, instead, nature and lake experiences in the wider Kilkis travel destination should shape your trip.

A road race in remembrance

The 2018 road race was part of the annual events of remembrance and tribute organised by Akrites Eptalofou Kilkis. They commemorate the 353,000 Greeks of Pontus who were killed in the massacre. This connection made the race more than just a sporting event: it took place within a framework of remembrance that linked the village with its history.

A five-kilometre race was announced for 17 June 2018. It was due to start at 10:45 at Eptálofos’s central village square and follow village roads that were entirely paved. The Chapel of Zoodochos Pigi was also on the announced route. These are historical details about the race and its route at the time.

A photo exhibition on the history of Eptálofos at the spiritual centre was also announced as part of the programme surrounding the race. Visitors could view the exhibition at the time. Together with the commemorative setting and route, it added a perspective on local history to the sporting event. For travellers who would like to understand the local memories associated with a place, this combination of an event and a historical exhibition offers a particularly insightful way in.

Nature and cultural experiences in the Kilkis travel destination

Looking beyond Eptálofos to the wider Kilkis travel destination reveals other points of interest with a different character. The Doirani Lake Museum is open to visitors daily from 08:00 to 14:00; it also hosts visits by school groups. Residents and visitors to the municipality can visit the museum as well. If you plan a visit, check the opening hours before setting out.

Lake Doirani is a wetland that provides a habitat or stopover for numerous resident and migratory birds. Dense reeds and riverside vegetation characterise the surroundings. Visitors can follow the lakeside path from the village of Doirani to the Forest of a Thousand Trees. This means that birdlife and a path along the shore are distinct nature-related themes in the Kilkis travel destination, alongside the historical perspective on Eptálofos.

The forest of Mouries, also called the Forest of a Thousand Trees, is another notable natural site in Kilkis. It is designated a natural monument and covers 590 stremmata. Pikrolimni offers a different landscape: this shallow lake lies next to the village of the same name and usually dries up in summer. Its clay soil contains sulfur compounds and nitrates, and is attributed with healing and cosmetic properties.

Choosing your travel focus to help with your accommodation search

When choosing a holiday rental, it is worth being clear about what you want to focus on: should your trip mainly connect with the history and remembrance of Eptálofos, or are you more interested in the landscapes and nature-related themes of the wider Kilkis travel destination? The places and experiences offer different emphases.

Discover more destinations: Stathmos Mourion, Doïráni, Agios Petros, Agios Markos, Palaio Agioneri, Kilkis, Pontokerasia, Stavrochori.

Go to the wider travel overview: Kilkis.