Stathmos Mourion: Monument, Culture and Waterfall Trail

Stathmos Mourion can be explored through three specific points of interest: the simple war memorial at Mouries Station, the Folklore Museum of Ano Sourmenoi at Mouries Station, and the hiking trail to the Waterfall of Beles. Remembrance, everyday Pontian culture and a nature trail shape the choice of places to visit. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide which of these interests will guide your travel plans. Mouries Station is a point of reference for both the memorial and the trail; the museum collection adds its own cultural dimension.

A Monument with Precise Details

At Mouries Station stands a plain war memorial made of white marble. It is designed as a stele and rests on a raised, masonry plinth with several steps. The front bears a relief laurel wreath formed by two branches. This makes it possible to take in the structure from its stepped base to the detail on its front. The memorial commemorates about a thousand fighters from Crete who lost their lives in the Battle of Doiran. Its restrained form and specific dedication give the memorial site two distinct dimensions: its visible design and its historical significance. The figure is approximate.

Pontian Culture at the Folklore Museum

The Folklore Museum of Ano Sourmenoi is located at Mouries Station and was founded by the Association of Pontians of Ano Souremeni. It displays exhibits relating to the history and traditions of the Pontians. These include traditional costumes, household items, tools, photographs and documents that illustrate their everyday life and culture in the region. Everyday objects are displayed alongside photographic and written records. This sets the museum’s focus apart from the specific dedication of the war memorial: here, the emphasis is on the life and heritage of a community. Anyone exploring cultural history through tangible objects will find several ways into the subject in the mix of costumes, tools, photographs and documents.

The Trail to the Waterfall of Beles

A hiking trail to the Waterfall of Beles begins at Mouries Station. Nearby, the waterfall plunges about 18 metres; it is also known as Mouries Waterfall or Belas Waterfall. The trail is approximately 700 metres long and is paved with stone for most of its length. Its length and surface are practical details to consider when planning. Check current access and trail conditions before setting out. This provides both the destination and two specific details of the route for a nature outing.

Kilkis: Lake and Forest Landscapes

The wider destination of Kilkis offers further nature-related interests. Lake Doirani is a wetland that provides a habitat or stopover for numerous resident and migratory birds; dense reeds and shoreline vegetation shape its landscape. The Mouries Forest lies northeast of the lake in the municipal unit of Mouries. It is also known as Chilia Dendra and the Forest of a Thousand Trees. Designated a natural monument, it covers 590 stremmata. Visitors can follow the lakeside path from the village of Doirani to the Forest of a Thousand Trees. Pikrolimni, next to the village of the same name, offers a different seasonal landscape: the shallow lake usually dries up in summer. Its clay soil contains sulfur compounds and nitrates and is attributed with healing and cosmetic properties.

Choose the Right Focus

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can weigh the cultural attractions around Mouries Station against the hiking trail to the waterfall. The other landscapes in the wider destination of Kilkis add lake, bird and forest themes to the options. Consider which interests will shape your trip and use them to guide your accommodation search.

Discover More Destinations

Pikrolimni, Polykastro, Doïráni, Agios Petros, Agios Markos, Axioupoli, Eptálofos, Drosato.

For the wider travel overview: Kilkis.