Educational three-day excursion of F.I.LO.S. in North Macedonia and Thrace (PHOTO)

Excellent impressions from the monuments and other attractions

The members and friends of F.I.LO.S. were left with the best impressions from the places they visited. who took part in the 3-day educational trip, organized by the Association in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Lachanas – Rupel Fort – Kerkini village – Serres – Alistratis Caves – Drama – Ancient Philippi – Kavala – Xanthi – Sostis Komotini – Nymphaia Fort – Komotini.) from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 April 2024.

In particular, the excursionists had the opportunity to visit:

1) On Friday, April 19, they climbed the legendary hill of Lachanas.. First they visited the military museum, where they were given a special tour and informed about the great battle that took place there on June 20-21, 1913 between Greeks and Bulgarians, whose defeat opened the road for the liberation of Eastern Macedonia from the advancing Greek Army. The height of Lachanas was occupied mainly by the 1st Thessalian Division with a spear gun. In the Kilkis-Lahana battles, many Trikalians fell.

2) Then the excursionists left for Rupel fort, one of the 21 legendary forts of the Metaxa Line. On the top of the hill there was a reference to the history of the construction of the forts and a detailed description of the battle by a representative of the commander of the unit there. Afterwards, they were guided inside the fort, which even today causes admiration for its perfect construction, since it is considered the best in Europe.

3) Then they went to the Kerkini lake wetland, where they had lunch, while in the late afternoon they went to Serres where they spent the night, having previously met with a group of friends from Serres, toured the beautiful city and had dinner in a tavern in the beautiful suburb of Ai-Giannis next to the waterfalls.

4) On Saturday morning they left for the town of Alistratis, where they visited the unique cave of the same name, which can be visited even by people with special needs. And there they had an excellent tour and admired the large stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the rare eccentrics that exist in it in great variety and make it unique in the Greek area.

5) Then they passed through Drama with its beautiful parks and at noon they visited the consolidated and reformed archaeological site of Philippi with its many monuments. There they were given a detailed tour of the ancient theater, the famous early Christian basilicas, the ancient market and other monuments which are constantly brought to light by the archaeological dig.

6) Then they arrived in Kavala, where they had lunch at a beach fish restaurant in the city and toured the city accompanied by friends from Kavalia.

7) Late in the afternoon they arrived at picturesque Xanthi, where they spent the night. Earlier they walked through the old town, which retains its color and enchants its visitors. All the streets were full of groups of students having fun.

8) On Sunday morning, while passing through the fire-ravaged village of Sostis Komotini, the excursionists saw with sadness the burnt area of ​​Mount Rodopi (Papikion) above the villages of the municipal community of Sostis (Polyanthos, Linos, Sostis, Mischos, Mega Pisto and Ano Drosini) . The fire of August 21, 2023 had touched the extreme houses of the villages in question, while in Sostis ten (10) houses with all the auxiliary spaces were burnt down. When the excursionists arrived at the square of Sostis, they were warmly welcomed by its residents. After church service and serving coffee with delicious Thracian dishes, they went to the village’s Primary School. There the president of F.I.LO.S. Theodoros Nimas, after speaking to the students (Christians and Muslims), offered all the children of the Primary School and Kindergarten various books both from his own publications and from donations from his members and bookstores in our city. Afterwards, they distributed to the fire-stricken families of the village and to the students dairy products offered by the Xanthi Dairy “Rodopi” of the Trikaline Brothers Sarantis, as well as sweets offered by the Trikaline Biscuit and Cereal Industry “Violanda” and the “Prasinos Mylos” Confectionery.

Then F.I.LO.S. through his president, he handed over to the School Director many important books for the enrichment of his Library; he also handed over representative books of his publications to the present representatives of the local Church, the Municipality of Iasmos and the local Sostis Community, and the Trikalino publisher Antonis, who participated in the excursion Stamoulis offered several series of books referring to Thrace.

Before leaving Sostis, the president of F.I.LO.S. laid a wreath on the bust of the fallen lieutenant Orestis Makridis in the presence of all the excursionists, the local authorities and many residents. The visit to Sostis ended with the National Anthem in an atmosphere of national emotion.

9) After Sostis, the excursionists went to the Fort of Nymphaea on Mount Rhodope on the Greek-Bulgarian border. This fort is the easternmost of the 21 forts of the Metaxas Line and its special construction caused the admiration of its visitors. And there they were given a detailed tour by a representative of the Army, who pointed out the fact that during the German attack on April 6-7, 1941, its defenders resisted heroically and did not surrender the fort, except by agreement when the Germans had already entered Greek territory through Yugoslavia and the continuation of the struggle was futile.

10) Then they went to Komotini, where they were guided to the Military Museum, which is the most important after the War Museum of Athens.

11) At noon the excursionists had lunch in Komotini and toured the city. Late at night they returned to Trikala with the best impressions.