Drama

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Parent Category: Regions

Category: East Macedonia and Trace

 Built at the foot of the imposing Falakro Mt, in a verdant area with abundant water sources, Drama is beautiful and hospitable, featuring picturesque neighbourhoods, spacious squares, green areas and well preserved neoclassical mansions.
 A very few archaeological finds show that in the area of the modern city there used to be a settlement named Dyrama or Hydrama. This was the place of worship for many Gods of the Greco-Roman Pantheon (Apollo, Artemis, Isis, Hercules, and Dionysus). During the Byzantine years, there was a city possibly named "Draviskos" in the same area. In the middle Byzantine Period (9th-13th centuries) Drama was a fortified city with a castle and it used to be a commercial and military junction. In the late 19th century, tobacco production and trade, the operation of the railway (1895) and improvement of the road network towards the Port of Kavala, led to an increase in the population of the city and to the enhancement of the commercial activity. In the early 20th century Drama was occupied by the Bulgarians and participated in the Macedonian Struggle, but was liberated by the Greek Army on July 1st 1913. It is located at a distance of 650km NE of Athens and 150km NE of Thessaloniki.
Mountain Falakro indicates the region of Dramas. Falakro means baldy, due to the lack of forests. It is covered by bushes. A small forests of beech may surprise the visitors in the plateau of Volaka. North you can see the lakes of river Nestos. It is one of the tallest mountains of Greece.The top of Prophetis Ilias in the 2232m is the highest. Falakro is recommended for climbing in Greece. It is also offered for ski in the ski centre, walk, ascension, mountaineering ski, mountain bike etc'. Fascinating experiences and unique emotions for funs of adventure. The importance of flora and the fauna of Falakro imposed the integration and his protection in the organization "Nature 2000" with the name "Peaks of Mountain Falakro".
Falakro Ski Center, which is located 44 km NW of Drama, was founded in 1980 by the Hellenic Alpine Club, branch of Drama. In the early 2000's it was radically renovated and expanded, while the road giving access to it was significantly improved. It is one of the better and more modern ski centers in Greece. The modern equipment and the possibility that they give in funs of winter sports for a lot of enjoyments characterize his facilities. Also for the visitors that do not know ski and do not have the essential equipment exist instructors for individuals of all ages and shops with all essential equipment. In the ski center exist dance floors for all the levels but also for all ages. Even if you are not fun of ski and other winter sports you can enjoy the splendid view of Nestos and admire the gorge of Towers with drinking heat chocolate in one of many coffee that exists or enjoying the traditional cooker in the taverns at the region.

For additional information, see also: www.falakro.gr

ONIROUPOLI  DRAMA

 In December don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the city of Drama, where every year the most famous Christmas event in Greece takes place: Oniroúpoli (meaning “city of dreams”). Apart from a huge Christmas park, you can also participate in a wide range of exciting satellite activities taking place throughout December.
www.oneiroupoli2012.gr

Must see attractions
A Macedonian Tomb of the Hellenistic years found in the city (near the Court square) is evidence that the area was inhabited during historic times.
•    The Tomb Cluster from the Iron Age found in the area of the Drama Industrial Zone.T
•    The Agia Varvara Park, an idyllic location in the city centre with fountains, small lakes and waterfalls, tavernas, an outdoor theatre and leisure venues. There you will see the traditional watermills and the multi-storey tobacco warehouses, reflecting in the waters of the Lake.
•    The Anastasiadis Mansion (1876), faced with the famous local marble, which is one of the basic elements that helped the development of the whole area.
•    The complex of the old schools (1907) on the crossroad of Perdika and Venizelou Streets.
•    The renovated building of the oldest cinema/theatre of the city ("Olympia", 1913) opposite the Metropolis.
•    The Municipal Art Hall "Eleftheria" housed in a renovated, traditional coffee shop of the City.
•    The Agia Sophia Byzantine Church (10th century). Around the Church you can see the ruins of the Byzantine Walls originally built in the 10th century. Near the walls there is the Taxiarxhes Chapel, built during the Palaiologos Family era
•    The Archaeological Museum, situated by the verdant Municipal Garden includes noteworthy finds from the area, dating from prehistoric until recent years. The mammoth tusk found at the entrance of Maara Cave (Aggitis Springs) is particularly interesting.
•    The Ecclesiastical Museum, housed in a modern wing of the Bishop's Mansion includes objects of ecclesiastical art.
•    The Korylovos Hill covered by pine-trees, with a tourist pavilion, sports facilities and a marvellous view.
Wine roads - Drama Prefecture

In antiquity Drama area, as disperse archeological findings prove, was an immense vineyard, something that justifies God Dionysus worship in many places of the plain and in Drama. Nevertheless, vine cultivation and wine production is not just a typical rural procedure. It is also an indication of good living and high cultural level. “Wine will gladden the heart of man”. Nowadays Drama, having already been included in the pioneering touristic program “Wine Roads” and having also been embodied to the “Vineyard of North Greece” the last few centuries has started the vine cultivation once more (even though not completely) and tries to re-develop its wine production experience by expanding both to the national and international wine markets. Six wine production units have already opened in Drama and base their production on privately owned vineyards where people cultivate excellent wine grape varieties. The international distinctions that wine producers of Drama have gained the last few years prove the excellent prescriptions of their units, the interest they invest in the art of wine production and the perfect in every way conditions that the soil of Drama offers. It is possible that in few decades Drama will be an area of such importance for Greece as Provence and Bordeaux are for France.