Lake Kerkini lies in the northeastern part of the Prefecture of Serres. To the north, deep into the horizon, you can see the top of Belles, the natural boarder between Greece and Bulgaria, while to the South and Southwest Disoros and Mavrovouni (Kroussia) emerge.Since ancient times, the area in which lake Kerkini lies today used to be a marshland. After the destruction of Asia Minor the refugees settled there and faced many difficulties due to the floods and malaria. Then, the communities decided to construct a dam and carry out interception works that would give a final solution to the habitants of the region.
In 1932 a dam was constructed on the river Strymon and in the following decades various works were carried out, which in combination with the new dam in the village Lithotopos in 1982 gave the lake its current form. Aim of these projects was to protect the prefecture from the floods and irrigate the plain.The lake's natural environment is unique and of great environmental value. Kerkini belongs to the NATURA 2000 European Network and is protected under the RAMSAR convention as one of the 10 Wetlands of International Importance in Greece.
It shelters at least 58 species of mammals, 12 species of amphibians, 22 species of reptiles, 31 species of fish and more than 300 species of birds, some of which are endangered, like the Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant. Besides, it is characterized as one of the 196 Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Greece and Special Protection Area (SPAï¿½Directive 79/409/EEC).The lake offers many sport and educational activities! Walking or cycling in the nature, boating, fishing, birdwatching, horse riding are only a few. Choose the one of your liking and come to explore a place of unique beauty!