KILKIS

“Influence of the weather on the natural and urban landscape of different European

regions”

Kilkis is located in Central Macedonia, between the Prefectures of Pella, Thessaloniki and Serres. The mountains of Paiko, Belles and Kroussia, the rich valleys of Gallikos and Axios rivers, the lake of Doirani and the lake of Pikrolimni compose a landscape of astonishing beauty.

The entire region appears that it was space of human activity from the early Iron Age.The modern city of Kilkis, seat of the prefecture bearing the same name, is the agricultural, commercial and transportation centre of the whole prefecture. In the adjacent “Industrial Zone of kilkis” operate many SMEs of the field of constructions, wearing, textile, food, etc. The city has significant sights, which are worth seeing and admiring:

SET UP: 2011 (Kallikrates Reform)Made of the unification of 7 municipal entities.Surface: 1.581,21 square meters, Population: 52.000 inh.

In the Industrial Zone of Kilkis 35 industries and small industries are settled. These enterprises give occupation to approx. 2.000 employees (at least before the economic crisis).Within the Municipality’s territory operate:4 Municipal nursery schools,14 kindergartens,13 elementary schools,3 Gymnasium (lower secondary schools),2 Lyceums (higher secondary schools),2 Technical Professional Institutions,A branch of the Technological Institute of Thessaloniki (TEI),A Centre of Technical Professional Training,An Institute of Vocational Training.

On the hill of Agios Georgios, the landscape is dominated by the post-Byzantine church of the same name, built in 1830, with an amazing wood carved chancel screen. In the same area is situated the excellent, two storied cave of Kilkis, with an amazing decor of stalactites and stalagmites, one of the most important caves in Greece.

In the same area is situated the excellent, two storied cave of Kilkis, with an amazing decor of stalactites and stalagmites, one of the most important caves in Greece.It was discovered in 1925. The cave has two floors and covers an area of 1.000 m2 with total length of explored paths equal to 300 m.

The Cave of St. George has also great paleontological value. More than 300 samples of fossilized bones of animals such as punctate hyenas, the big horse, giant deer, red deer were found inside the cave. Many of these samples are dated up to 100.000 years old.

Descending the hill of St. George, we come across the Archaeological Museum, in which is exposed the unique in Northern Greece 6th century Kouros statue of ancient Evropos, four monumental statues from the village of Palatiano, as well as a collection of ceramics dating back to the early Iron Age, sculptures from Hellenistic and Roman times.

Descending the hill of St. George, we come across the Archaeological Museum, in which is exposed the unique in Northern Greece 6th century Kouros statue of ancient Evropos, four monumental statues from the village of Palatiano, as well as a collection of ceramics dating back to the early Iron Age, sculptures from Hellenistic and Roman times.

The War Museum is located on the north-west side of the pine-tree hill “Heroon” and is operating since 1966. It is a monument built to remind the history of the province through the military events of the early century (Second Balkan War). The exhibits include uniforms, weapons, flags and the map of the historical Battle of Kilkis (19-21 June 1913), which is one of the largest military victories of the Greeks (Skra–Kilkis–Lahana).

Monastery of Panagia in Goumenissa

Monastery of St. Raphail

Kilkis is also a place with significant Monasteries which attract many people, thus creating flows of religious tourism.The Monasteries of Panagia in Goumenissa, Monastery of St. Raphail, Monastery of St. Nikodimos, are among the most famous and most visited. They are all situated in Paionia, the western part of Kilkis Province.

Monastery of St. Nikodimos

Not far away from Kilkis, but anyway within the borders of the Province there are many natural sights, like the Waterfalls in Skra and the “blue lagoon”.

Pikrolimni lake is located at the south of the province, 23km from Thessaloniki. It is a small lake with an area of 4,500 sq. m, usually dry during Summer. Because of the composition of the mud on the bottom of the lake, where sulfurous compounds and nitrate salts are prevailing, the lake presents healing and cosmetic properties, known throughout the country and more widely. Nowadays the site disposes an organized mud bath (group pools for men and women), private spaces for mud inunction, and many other. Visitors can reside in the hotel.The healing mud, as well as the water are advisable for the therapy of, reumatisms, lumbago, arthritis, myalgia, Musculoskeletal pain, skin diseases (acme, eczema, etc).

Every year, in early October, the International Puppet and Mime Festival takes place. It is one of the leading events in the city as it gives the city the glamour of a cultural event with international prestige and makes it known all over the world. The festival began in 1999 and continues up to nowadays.Alongside the festival the Meeting of Young Greeks Puppeteers also takes place.

Lower Secondary (Gymnasio)The 3rd Gymnasium of Kilkis (Lower Secondary Education) is among the three Gymnasium of Kilkis. The average number of students attending the school is 300 students per year (13-15 years old). The average number of students in each class is 25 students. The percentage of students in each class coming from economic migrants’ families is about 13%. The school undertakes many extra-educational, as well as volunteering activities and programmes (eg. Greenhouse for organic production, Composting organic matter and participating in other cultural activities). The purpose of the school’s participation in the project is from one hand to highlight the Greek culture to the participants from the other countries and from the other hand to contribute to the professional orientation of young people.