Ano Vrontou – Mountain Setting and History

At an altitude of 1,060 metres, Ano Vrontou is the highest-altitude village in the Nomós Serrón. It lies in the Vrontous Mountains; its mountain setting and historical development provide two clear points of reference for planning a trip. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether the village’s history or activities in the surrounding area should be the main focus of your stay.

Activities outside the village

The Centre for Alternative Tourism is 5 km outside Ano Vrontou and offers facilities for trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, climbing and abseiling, Flying Fox, Tibetan Bridge, shooting, archery and paintball. The range extends from exercise and equestrian activities to climbing and target sports. If you want these activities to be the main focus of your stay, check opening times and public booking options before visiting.

The village’s history and crafts

According to oral accounts, at the end of the 18th century, residents of the North Aegean islands, especially Chians and Lesbians, settled in the wider area around Ano Vrontou for reasons that are unknown. At that time, bell casting became a characteristic craft in Ano Vrontou. The bell-making tradition thus adds a craft dimension to the village’s history alongside its orally transmitted settlement history.

A later chapter has a precise date: in 1924, refugees of Greek origin from the Cappadocian villages of Hamidie and Karatzoren in Kayseri settled in Ano Vrontou after moving through several places in Greece. The accounts of the late 18th century and the 1924 settlement represent different historical periods, giving the village more than one historical perspective.

Culture and history in Serres

The wider destination of Serres offers a distinct range of cultural and historical sites. The Holy Monastery of Timios Prodromos was built in 1270 and houses a museum of Byzantine art. The King’s Tower of the Acropolis, also known as the Tower of Orestes, dates from around 1350 and is approximately 20 metres high. The Zincirli Mosque is in the southwestern part of the city of Serres; architecturally, it is among the Ottoman buildings of the late 16th century attributed to Sinan’s school.

Churches also represent different periods: Saint George Krioneritis is a Byzantine church in Serres, built at the end of the 13th century. The Church of Saints Theodoroi is a Byzantine structure dating from the 5th or 6th century AD. Saint Nicholas is located in the Acropolis of Serres. Together, these buildings give an impression of the chronological range of religious architecture in Serres.

The museums offer further points of interest. The Sarakatsani Folklore Museum displays exhibits on Sarakatsani culture and has been open since 1979. The Serres Ecclesiastical Museum displays icons, silver artefacts, liturgical vestments and orphreys. The Olive Museum in Eleonas showcases an old olive press, its machinery and 19th-century olive oil production methods. The Natural History Museum of Serres presents various animal species, taxidermied birds, and samples of local plants and minerals.

The food scene also gives the wider destination of Serres its own character: buffalo meat and products such as cold cuts, sausages and kavourmas are important parts of its culinary tradition. Bougatsa from Serres has been a signature product of the city for decades. The Municipal and Regional Theatre of Serres stages theatre performances and plays. One seasonal attraction is Politia ton Efchon, a Christmas event in Serres featuring Santa’s House, a chocolate workshop, an ice rink, a carousel and an amusement park. The individual installations may vary from one edition to another; check the dates and programme for a specific visit.

Discover more destinations: Mavrothalassa, Lithotopos Irakleia, Ano Poroia, Eptamyloi, Megalochori, Káto Poróïa, Tholos, Ammoudiá.

For the wider travel overview: Serres.