East Paiko

FAIRY TALE PATHS

Top: Gola Tsouka 1650 m
The beautiful mountain Paiko is an excellent tourist destination and an anthem to the feast of nature, to the power of history, to the authenticity of gastronomy and tradition.
Paiko has a charming challenge for visitors who want to combine contact with nature and hiking trails, on its slopes but also tasting, wine tourism and genuine local tradition.

Between the picturesque villages of the mountain with the traditional cafes and the good food, the waters of the rivers gurgle and form waterfalls and small springs with cool drinking water.

It is worth visiting the beautiful villages that are located in the “embrace” of the mountain and are waiting for the visitor to discover them.
Get ready to live a unique experience in the villages of eastern Paiko, among which Goumenissa dominates or otherwise the historical seat of the Municipality of Paionia:

  • Goumenissa
  • Omalo
  • Pentalofos
  • Griva
  • Kastaneri
  • Megala Libadia
  • Karpi
  • Pigi
  • Koupa
  • Skra
  • Gerakona
  • Hamilos
  • Fanos
Blue Lagoon

NATURE’S TREASURES

In the hidden “corners” of the mountain slopes, following the appropriate signage, you will discover the treasures of nature. The beauty of the landscape will compensate you. Lakes, waterfalls and small rivers, taken as if from a fairy tale, will enchant you.
Navigating between these fairytale places awakens the senses, rejuvenates the mind and body, fills the soul with optimism and your vision with unique images.
Organize your trip without wasting time.
At any time of the year nature is ready to welcome you.

  • Blue Lagoon
  • Metalliou Lake
  • Stravopotamos
  • Dyo potamia
  • Giapantzi Watermill

HIKING AND BICYCLE ROUTES

The amazing hiking and cycling routes in Paiko offer unique contact with nature and individual or group exercise. If you love hiking or cycling, all you have to do is choose the routes in Paiko, giving yourself a unique gift:

  • Pigi – Metalliou Lake – Skra Falls – Koupa
  • Karpi – Kastaneri
  • Kastaneri – Stravopotamos – M. Libadia
  • Palaiochori – Gkola Tsouka
  • Dyo Potamia – Kastaneri
Chestnuts

LOCAL PRODUCTS IN PAIKO

It is worth trying the unique quality local products of Paiko. Their taste and aroma will accompany you until you return enchanted by the enjoyment of your senses.

You can taste the gifts of the earth:

  • Delicious chestnuts from the rich chestnut groves of Griva.
  • Excellent quality cheese from traditional dairies
  • Delicious wine that is famous around the world and is none other than the famous wine of Goumenissa
  • Fresh, aromatic honey from rare plants, trees and mountain herbs.
  • Juicy pomegranates from the endless rhododendrons.
  • Sweet grapes from the famous vineyards.
  • Fresh and juicy apples, cherries and figs that delight the taste and smell.

THE WINERIES OF PAIKO

The vast, rich vineyards of the area have given their valuable gift to the winemakers of Goumenissa who produce high quality wines with a Designation of Quality of Origin and perfectly meet your gastronomic desires.

Take a tour of the wineries knowing the secrets of the winemaker’s art and the secrets of good wine.

  • Xatzivarity winery
  • Tatsi winery
  • Aidarini winery
  • Boutari winery
Οινοποιία Σακαλάκη
Agios Georgios, Goumenissa

THE GREAT MONUMENTS IN PAIKO

Mount Paiko can only ecstaticize its visitors from the great monuments that testify to its rich history:

  • Chrysallida – Goumenissa
  • French Krini of Goumenissa
  • Turret in French cemetery of Goumenissa
  • Holy temple of St. George of Goumenissa

CULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL EVENTS IN PAIKO

The folklore and agritourism tradition in Paiko is rich and full of surprises for the visitors of the area.

  • Chestnut festival – Griva Last Sunday of October
  • THEOTOKIA – Goumenissa – 15th of August
  • ALIGARI – M. Libadia
  • Athletic Half Marathon of Paiko – September
  • Wine Festival Gerakonas Filirias – September
  • Koyrmpani – Goumenissa 1st of February AGIOS TRYFON
  • KOULOUMA – Goumenissa Ash Monday
Γουμένισσα

THE MONASTERIES IN EASTERN PAIKO

The Monasteries in eastern Paiko are special places of religious worship and are worth visiting:

Holy Monastery of Panagia Goumenissa.

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Goumenissa with the homonymous miraculous icon of Panagia, functions as a male convent and as a holy place of pilgrimage.
It is the seat of the Holy Diocese of Goumenissa, Axioupolis and Polykastro.
In the first years of its operation it was catholic and was granted to the Monastery of Iveron on Mount Athos in 1346 AD, while it was the reason for the founding of the city of the same name. The miraculous icon of Panagia Goumenissa is honored 4 times a year:

  • Candlemas 2nd of February with vigil
  • The First Sunday of March with litany
  • The third day of Easter with litany
  • The three-day of 15(holiday of assumption day),16 & 17 (holiday metastasis of Panagia).

Contact number: 23430 43363
e-mail: imgap@imgap.gr
www. imgap.gr

Holy Monastery of Agios Raphael

The moment when the traditional religion meets the grandeur of nature! In the area of Griva, at an elevation of 600 meters, in a fabulous natural environment of Paiko mountain, is placed the holy monastery of Agios Raphael, Nikolaos and Irene, having as view the breathtaking valley of Axios. The male monastery was established in 1992.

In the monastery are kept the holy relics of Saint Raphael, Nikolaos, Irene, Saint Maria Magdalini and a small piece of true cross.
The monastery is open from 7am until sunset.

Contact number: 23.430-20.270, FAX: 23.430-20.271
E-mail: agiosrafailgriva@gmail.com

Holy commune of Agios Nikodimos

A glebe of the holy monastery of Simonos Petras, with an impressive aspect that was established in 1981 in working condition with Mount Athos loyalty. The central temple is double and its upper level is dedicated to Agios Nikodimos, while its ground level is dedicated to Agios Raphael, Irene and Nikolaos. Its hagiography area is well- known for the exceptional graven images.

Retreat of Agios Georgios, Anydro. Female.

The holy retreat of Agios Georgios, established in 1991 belongs to the Metropolis of Goumenissa, even though it’s not part of the municipality of Paionia. In the retreat there are 10 nuns. It is located in the ruins of Anydros deserted settlement, in a quiet area, by having as a landmark the old temple of Agios Georgios.In the small church that dates back to the middle of the 19th century, a remarkable Byzantine decoration is preserved with wood carvings, frescoes and icons of the time on the iconostasis and the roof.

MONUMENT HOLY CHURCHES CARLING IN PAIKO

The religious reserve in Paiko is quite large and can give visitors an interesting touring experience.

Holy Temple of Peter and Paul – Holy Church of the Nativity of the Virgin

In Pentalofos the visitor can admire the Holy Temple dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, inside which are preserved frescoes and iconostasis with images of Koulaki painters. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, in Omalos of Pentalofos, was built in 1856 and inside it are preserved frescoes with icons of the same era.

Holy Temple of Brigadiers Gabriel and Michael

The Holy Temple of Brigadiers Gabriel and Michael is located in Gerakona of Filyria and is a sample of a three-aisled basilica of the 19th century.

Church of Agios Georgios Goumenissa

The construction of the Church of Agios Georgios in Goumenissa dates back to 1862, according to an inscription that survives in the church. It is a three-aisled wooden-roofed basilica with a wooden painted iconostasis, a pulpit with a wood-carved base and painted decoration on the ceilings and is a unique example of this type of architecture for the Kilkis Regional Unit.

Church of Agios Athanasios

In Griva is the Church of Agios Athanasios, built in the early 19th century and stands out for its wood-carved iconostasis and frescoes.

Holy Church of the Assumption of the Virgin

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a three-aisled basilica, built in the early 19th century and presents remarkable examples of wood carving and painting.

Church of Agios Athanasios

The Church of Agios Athanasios Karpis was designated a monument in 1991 as its architecture, interior decoration and painting provide evidence of the history of the area in the 19th century.

Holy Church of Agia Paraskevi

The Church of Agia Paraskevi in Kastaneri was designated a protected monument because the whole church and its interior decoration provide important historical information about the area in the 19th century.

Church of Agios Peter and Paul

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Stathis is a three-aisled basilica of the 19th century. with a built-in bell tower and is a typical example of architecture in the area.

Holy Church of Agia Kyriaki

The church of Agia Kyriaki in Filyria is a post-Byzantine three-aisled royal church with a niche that has external blind arches and its construction dates back to 1860