# Serres

> city in Central Macedonia, Greece

**Wikidata**: [Q206957](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206957)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serres)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/serres

## Summary
Serres is a city in Central Macedonia, Greece, serving as the capital of the Serres Municipality and Regional Unit. With a population of 58,400 as of 2021, it has a rich history dating back to ancient times and has been part of multiple empires, including the Ottoman Empire. Strategically located near the Strymonas River, it remains a cultural and administrative hub in northern Greece.

## Key Facts
- **Area**: 600 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 70 metres above sea level.
- **Coordinates**: 41.083333333333° N, 23.55° E.
- **Country History**: Part of the Ottoman Empire (1383–1913), Kingdom of Thessalonica (1204–1224), and modern Greece since 1913.
- **Population**: 58,400 (2021), 58,287 (2011), 55,996 (2001), 51,640 (1991).
- **Patron Saints**: Archangel Michael and Gabriel.
- **Twin Towns**: Blagoevgrad, Fosses, Eilat, Nilüfer district (since 2011), Larissa, Veliko Tarnovo (since 1988).
- **Website**: http://www.serres.gr/ (Greek).
- **Postal Code**: 621 xx.
- **Dialing Code**: 23210.
- **Administrative Roles**: Capital of Serres Municipality and Serres Regional Unit.
- **Geographic Codes**: ELSTAT 1201010101, GeoNames 734330, OpenStreetMap node 136904436.

## FAQs
- **What countries has Serres been part of historically?**  
  Serres was part of the Kingdom of Thessalonica (1204–1224), the Ottoman Empire (1383–1913), and joined modern Greece in 1913 after the Second Balkan War.

- **What are Serres' key demographic statistics?**  
  As of 2021, the city has 58,400 residents, with historical census data showing growth from 51,640 in 1991 to 58,400 in 2021.

- **What is Serres' geographical significance?**  
  The city is situated in Central Macedonia, near the Strymonas River, covering 600 km² with an elevation of 70 metres.

- **What cultural and administrative roles does Serres hold?**  
  It serves as the capital of both Serres Municipality and Regional Unit, hosts festivals honoring its patron saints (Archangels Michael and Gabriel), and is documented in encyclopedias like Brockhaus and Encyclopædia Britannica.

- **Which cities is Serres twinned with?**  
  Blagoevgrad, Fosses, Eilat, Nilüfer district (since 2011), Larissa, and Veliko Tarnovo (since 1988).

## Why It Matters
Serres is a historically layered city that reflects the complex heritage of the Balkans, having been influenced by Byzantine, Ottoman, and Greek cultures. Its strategic location near the Strymonas River made it a contested yet prosperous trade hub for centuries. Today, it serves as a vital administrative and cultural center in northern Greece, supporting regional development while preserving landmarks like the Zinzirli Mosque and the Archaeological Museum of Serres. Its resilience through regime changes and its enduring economic role underscore its significance in both historical and modern contexts.

## Notable For
- **Historical Rulers**: Part of the Kingdom of Thessalonica, Ottoman Empire, and modern Greece.
- **Twinning Agreements**: Partnerships with cities across Europe, the Middle East, and the Balkans.
- **Patron Saints**: Unique dual dedication to Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
- **Cultural Documentation**: Featured in the 11th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica and Brockhaus Encyclopedia.
- **Elevation and Geography**: Situated at 70 metres above sea level in the Strymonas River valley.
- **Administrative Hub**: Serves as the capital of both municipal and regional governance units.

## Body

### History
Serres has undergone numerous sovereignty changes, including:
- **Kingdom of Thessalonica** (1204–1224): A Crusader state established after the Fourth Crusade.
- **Ottoman Rule** (1383–1913): Incorporated into the Ottoman Empire until the Balkan Wars.
- **Modern Greece** (1913–present): Acquired by Greece after the Treaty of London (1913).

### Geography
- **Location**: Central Macedonia, near the Strymonas River.
- **Area**: 600 km², with coordinates 41.083333333333° N, 23.55° E.
- **Elevation**: 70 metres above sea level.

### Demographics
- **2021 Population**: 58,400 (resident population).
- **Historical Data**:
  - 2011: 58,287
  - 2001: 55,996
  - 1991: 51,640

### Administration
- **Capital Of**: Serres Municipality and Serres Regional Unit.
- **Geographic Codes**: ELSTAT 1201010101, GeoNames ID 734330.

### Culture
- **Patron Saints**: Celebrates Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
- **Documented In**: Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
- **Landmarks**: Zinzirli Mosque, Archaeological Museum of Serres.

### Economy and Infrastructure
- **Key Features**: Agricultural trade, regional services, and tourism.
- **Contact Information**:
  - Website: http://www.serres.gr/ (Greek).
  - Facebook: DimosSerrwnofficial.
  - YouTube: Channel ID UCbRO-1aafk0oFQLViCXxPCw (since 2017).

### International Relations
- **Twin Towns**:
  - Blagoevgrad (Bulgaria)
  - Fosses (France)
  - Eilat (Israel)
  - Nilüfer district (Turkey, since 2011)
  - Larissa (Greece)
  - Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria, since 1988)

### Identifiers and Classifications
- **Library and Database IDs**:
  - VIAF: 147756468
  - GND: 4107644-8
  - BnF: 12512251f
  - Library of Congress: n81071378
- **Geographic and Cultural Taxonomies**:
  - Kulturenvanteri Taxonomy ID: 387
  - Pinakes City ID: 539

### Media and Recognition
- **Images and Maps**:
  - Locator Map: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Serres_map.png
  - Banner: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Serres_banner_Zinzirl_mosque_Greece.jpg
- **Encyclopedia Entries**:
  - TDV Encyclopedia of Islam: "serez"
  - Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana: "serrai" (1936)

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nilufer.bel.tr/icerik/kardes-kentler)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. 2021 Greek census
7. Greek census 2011
8. GeoNames
9. YouTube API