The rural life and its activities, the variety of local products, the traditional cuisine, the observation of the rich ecosystem of the region and even the adventure sports or the rejuvenating walks in nature await the friends of agrotourism. In the region of Kilkis, the visitor has the opportunity to explore the rural areas, the local products, the cultural elements and the original characteristics of this area, in respect to the environment and the tradition.
One can experience the customs through the multitude of cultural and folk events that are held throughout the year in the entire region of Kilkis, such as the celebrations in various towns on St. John’s Day. On January 8 the custom of "Mpampo" revives in Aspros, in Kalindria, in Terpyllos etc, when women impose absolute power for this one day. Honored person is the midwife ("mpampo”) of the village, and the finale of the celebration is a feast accompanied with traditional dances and songs.
The visitors can also enjoy the traditional cuisine and wines of exceptional quality, such as the wonderful wines with Designation of Origin of Superior Quality "Goumenissa". One can also taste the famous grappa and tsipouro, fine cheeses, delicious local meat, sausages with leek, huntings, pies, traditional sweets, pure honey, pontian cheeses and pasta in Ragian in Kilkis and Vathi, and a plethora of delicious products and traditional dishes of Pontians, Stenimachites and Anatolikoromyliotes.
To enjoy the taste of carp in the fish restaurants of Doirani, while in the local cooperatives the women put all their creativity into their products. In the homes, every season, traditional flavors and aromas beautify the atmosphere. The prefecture of Kilkis is justly proud of its rich culinary activity. Here, each family prepares pickles throughout the year, while local and delicious original recipes give their taste to every festive day of the year.
At Kilkis, one can find amazing farm houses where there is the opportunity to get acquainted with agricultural activities, enjoy homemade traditional cuisine and the everyday life of the residents in a beautiful natural environment. This way, one can come in contact with the nature and outdoor activities, in which one may be involved, be entertained and feel the joy of touring, learning and discovering.
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The local cuisine, as well as the entire prefecture, is intensely multicultural. The Greek diaspora is concentrated on the table with all its features! In the homes, every season, traditional flavors and aromas beautify the atmosphere. The prefecture of Kilkis is justly proud of its rich culinary activity. Here, each family prepares pickles throughout the year, while local and delicious original recipes give their taste to every festive day of the year.
King of all ... the Pontian cuisine! Here, the famous pontian cheeses and pasta "Ragian" are produced in the village of Vathi, in an amazing, visitable production facility. Fine dairies, such as the cheese Doirani, dairies from Koukakis, Lykas and Kolios are also produced in this region. Parparas produces homemade pickles. Goumenissa is the center of the wine production with OPAP wines from the varieties Ksinomavro and Negoska. Wineries made with care, like Boutari and Aidarini, small wine museums, real gems, such as the Eftichides and Tatsis, traditional cauldrons like Archontakia, exceptional units with organically grown vines like Akrothea winery, but also new, modern and well-equipped ones like Hatzivaritis, are all waiting to guide you and accompany you to the wine roads, with aromas of grappa and tsipouro.
In this region you will try traditional dishes and sweet preserves in Filiria, in the home of Mr. Alekos, in Gerakona, in the corner of Mr. Vassilis with the genuine honey and in Fanos, in the traditional oven of Costas you will taste homemade bread and pasta made from traditional organic cultivation and stone-crushed cereals. From the taverns in Kroussia to the restaurants in Kilkis and from Livadia in Paiko to the scenic Kastaneri and the lush Kotza Ntere, exquisite meats from local free-range animals promise you unforgettable culinary delights. Fresh fish at Doirani, cooked in every way, supplements the list for the lovers of "Well Living".
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Blessed with a particularly rich and diverse natural environment, the prefecture of Kilkis is ideal for excursions and naturalistic trips from the nearby Thessaloniki for those who seek a beautiful and peaceful destination for their vacation.
It features beautiful landscapes with rivers and lakes and idyllic mountain paths, which can delight the simple hikers and the demanding mountaineers equally.
From the only cave in the hill of St. George, which is one of the most remarkable caves of Greece (and ideal for cave-therapy) to the monument of Nature "Hilia Dentra" in Lake Doirani or the Lake Pikrolimni which has medicinal properties, as well as many other natural sites, the visitor will be impressed and calmed.
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At Kilkis, trails of culture lead the visitor to significant archaeological sites, folklore museums with wonderful exhibits of folk tradition and refugee chests filled with memories, uniquely preserved buildings and traditional houses, countless churches and chapels, many of which date back centuries, along with historical monuments that remind us of the important role that Kilkis and its surrounding villages have played in Greek history. The past and its long history are etched across this region and are spurting from every place like water.
View items...On the 28th of November the commemoration of the patron saints of the city "Five and Ten" Martyrs takes place. For about a month (from early November to early December) many cultural events of OPONGA in collaboration with the cultural associations contribute into giving a different color to the celebration.
On May 17, the celebration of the anniversary of the heroic victory of the Greek army in the battle of Skra takes place.
The Battle of Skra was held on the 16th and 17th of May 1918 and it is one of the most important battles of World War I, which finally decided the fate of Greek Macedonia. The anniversary events are held with a memorial service at the Memorial of the fallen, delivering of wreaths, announcement of the fallen and a minute of silence, followed by dances of the cultural associations.
"Axioupolitika" are cultural and sporting events taking place in the period after mid-August (approximately between the 17th to 27th of August). This is the most important event in the region of Axioupolis and includes dancing performances of the cultural associations, theater performances, competitions and events, music festivals and conferences regarding the issues of the region and church praises.
Polykastrina are organized every year in the period from 12-24 June in the celebration of the Holy Spirit; the cultural events include cultural dance performances, theater plays, concerts, exhibitions etc.
The celebration of the Virgin Mary in Goumenissa attracts many people from the region, where apart from the church praises and procession of the icon of the Virgin Mary, one can attend many other cultural events.
Annual and established event of culture and cuisine in the cozy area of Ragian (Vathi - Kilkis).
In Paeonia, the process of the wedding started several days earlier. On Wednesday there was the call of guests. On Thursday, the bride spread out in a room her dowry for the relatives and friends to admire and during that evening, the first feast was held. On the same day the groom, escorted by relatives went to the home of the best man to arrange for the final procedures of the marriage.
On Friday, relatives of the groom took the "wedding bun" along with gifts to the bride.
On Saturday evening the festivities began in both houses with lots of music and feasting.
On Sunday morning, the bride’s dowry was transported to the groom's house and at noon the shaving of the groom took place along with music. The groom, his relatives and the best man went to the bride's house to take her and escort her to the church.
After the coronation, the newlyweds went to the groom's house where the feasting and dancing followed, while the friends of the groom burned his mother’s kerchief.
After the Sunday's wedding, it was customary for the bride to go to the village’s fountain holding a copper pot that had various coins and when she was rinsing it the coins fell in the fountain that youngsters who were gathered there picked up.
The Vlach wedding is a custom with roots in the ancient Greek Dionysian traditions.
The marriage of Sarakatsani started a week before the ceremony. On the Sunday before the wedding, youngsters call their relatives from house to house and offer them ouzo. On Wednesday, in the houses of the bride and groom they were making yeast for the wedding buns, on Thursday they kneaded and baked it. This process was accompanied with songs and dancing. On Friday, at the home of the groom they were preparing the Banners, a kind of pennant for the marriage. On Saturday, the guests visited the house of the bride and groom and brought gifts to the newlyweds and the feast held until dawn.
On Sunday, after shaving the groom, he put on his good suit and they headed singing for the bride's house, riding their horses.
There, full tables were waiting with both sides of the families, who offered the wedding buns to each other. After the treats and feast the bride started the farewell dance and then she got on a white horse and headed for the church.
The coronation ceremony took place in the village of the groom. After the coronation, they all went together to the groom's house, where the final feast would take place. In the dances, the first dancer always held the Banners and the feast continued until the early morning.
The Thracian marriage begins on Saturday afternoon, with the women of the bride’s family preparing her while following the ritual tradition.
On Sunday morning, the preparations and traditions continue. The father of the bride holding the wedding bun gives his wishes and then they break the bun on the bride's head and offer it to the family members.
Meanwhile, the groom is prepared and dressed with the help of his friends, while the best man and the family accompanied with musical instruments head to the house of the bride.
There, the friends of the bride hide one of her shoes and the best man must pay to get it back for the bride to wear.
The father and brother of the bride escort her out of the house, where the farewell dance is held and then the wedding procession heads towards the church.
After the coronation ceremony, everybody, accompanied by the musical instruments goes to the groom's house where they are welcomed by his mother; she empties two glasses before their feet, one with water and one with wine and then she offers them a sweet. The newlyweds, after passing the door, should tread on iron with their right foot, which means that their marriage and new home will be iron-strong and robust. After that, the mother in law offers the bride a loaf of bread for good luck.
Then the feast takes place, which usually lasts until morning.
The Pontian Greeks used the term "pleasure" instead of the word marriage, emphasizing on the happy event of the wedding.
On Saturday night, two separate celebrations were taking place, one at the home of the groom and one at the home of the bride. In the Pontian wedding, for any act or habit done, the best man, the groom or the relatives have to give money in return. For example, the shaving of the groom where the barber pretends that the razor does not cut, expecting a bonus from the best man.
On Sunday, early in the afternoon, the groom, best man, relatives and friends begin with the escort of musical instruments for “nyfeparman”, i.e. to get the bride. There, the best man has to pay for the bride to wear her shoes and the farewell party takes place just before they leave for the wedding.
During the coronation ceremony, when the priest says "Isaiah dance" the friends of the best man that stand behind him, lift him up and will let him down only when he offers a tip.
After the crowning, the wedding procession heads to the groom's house where the bride will break a plate for good luck. Late in the afternoon, the wedding dinner follows accompanied by music and dancing while the guests bring gifts for the newlyweds.
In many villages, especially in those where the residents originate from Caucasus, like Iliolousto and Chorygi, the guests offer money to the newlyweds and the best man.
The Pontian wedding ends on the dawn of Monday with music and dancing.
