CAVE TOURISM
Kayali Cave: it is located on the eastern bank of the Erythropotamos, very close to the Byzantine tower of Pentazonos. It is a cave that exceeds 150 meters in length and 30 meters in height. Corals have been found inside the cave.
Vouva Cave: between Didymoticho and Koufovouno is the Vouva cave, where the visitor can admire stalactites and stalagmites of large dimensions.
ECOTOURISM
In the hilly area near the village of Koufovouno, there is a Special Protection Zone of the NATURA 2000 Network. This area is covered by oak trees which are a refuge for the species of ptarmigan and ptarmigan.
HISTORICAL TOURISM
On the hill of Agia Petra is Plotinoupolis, an ancient Roman city, which was abandoned in the 7th century AD. From the excavations carried out in the area, great finds came to light, including a Golden Bust of a bearded man with a decorated chest, probably depicting the emperor Septimius Severus, and kept in the Komotini Museum. In the same area, excavations came to light with Roman mosaics depicting mythological scenes with Apollo, the Muse, dolphins and birds.
On Kale hill, also known as Kastro, 24 towers and post-Byzantine temples are preserved that are worth visiting. Among the towers are the Agora gate, the Bridge Gate, the Vassilopoula Tower and the Taraphanes Tower.
Near the village of Pythio is the homonymous Castle. An important work of military architecture of the Byzantine Era founded by John VI Katakouzenos in the period 1330-1340.
In Didymoteicho, many fountains are preserved which are located next to the ancient Byzantine temples and it is worth photographing them.
In the city of Didymoteicho, there are also some Ottoman monuments, including the Bayazit Mosque, the Hammam of Urutz Pasha and Feridun Ahmed Beg, and Pyrostia, i.e. the Mausoleum of Urutz Pasha.
Between the villages of Thyrea and Asimenio, a 10-meter burial mound with a diameter of 47.5 meters and objects from the prehistoric period have come to light.
In the location of Panokklisi in the village of Pythio, there is a 13th century Byzantine royal church in which, after excavations, the church’s catholicon, chapels, stone courtyard and tombs have come to light.
In the village of Pythio is the castle of the same name, which was built in the 14th century by the emperor John VI Katakouzenos. It is comprised of two towers. In the first and largest with a length of 15 meters was the residence of the emperor and his entourage. The second tower, with a length of 7.5 meters, was used for defensive purposes.
In the Rigio area, three mounds have come to light that date back to the middle of the 4th century BC, with architectural elements that later Macedonian tombs had.
Macedonian tomb of Elafochori: in the village of Elafochori, a tomb came to light, a Thracian underground tomb which, according to the data, is an archaeological find of the early Hellenistic Period (4th century BC).
RELIGIOUS TOURISM
In the wider area of the city of Didymoteicho, you can visit the Byzantine temples that have stood proud over the centuries. The Church of Agia Ekaterini, built in the 14th century, in the era of the Palaeologus, the Church of Agios Georgios Paleokastritis, with the great history as the coronation of Emperor John VI Katakouzenos took place here in October 1341, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, the Byzantine chapel of Agios Nikolaos which today is a Center for Culture and Social Ministry.
At the same time, it is worth visiting the Church of Christ the Saviour, which was built on the ruins of the old Byzantine church of the same name in 1846, the Metropolitan Church of Agios Athanasios, built in 1834, and the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, which dates from 1843.
MUSEUMS
Ecclesiastical Museum of Didymoteicho: the museum is housed in the basement of the Holy Church of Panagia Eleftherotria within the city. It includes a great collection of historical icons dating from the Byzantine Period up to the 20th century, sacred objects, vessels and other church objects.
Military Museum of Didymoteicho: the museum is housed in a historic building, built in 1907. The building houses important military relics such as uniforms from various periods, decorations, medals, armaments, photographs and exhibits from the various Hellenistic Games.
Folklore Museum of Didymoteicho: in the museum one can admire the traditional costumes of the region, embroidered, woven, church items, traditional jewellery, tools of carpenters, cobblers, etc. arts. In the museum are the traditional distiller for making raki, tools of an old printing press and two marble reliefs of “Thrace Ippea”.
Byzantine Museum of Didymoteicho: a very important place that captures the history of the era from the 2nd c. A.D. and the establishment of Plotinopolis in Agia Petra by Trajan, until the fall of the Byzantine Empire through the use of rich audiovisual multimedia and applications, dominated by the illuminated floor map of the Byzantine Egnatia Road in Thrace.
Nalbantis Gallery: this is the city’s municipal gallery that houses the works of the great painter from Didymoteicho, Dimitrios Nalbantis. In the gallery you can admire works inspired mainly by magical realism, impressionism and expressionism.
Georgios Komnidis Museum of Folklore and Natural History: the museum is located in the village of Neoi Psathades and includes folklore objects (ploughs, looms, etc.). Also, you will see stuffed animals, birds and reptiles of Thrace, collections of insects and minerals.
Maridon Museum: the Maridon Museum has been operating in the village of Mani since 2009. A museum dedicated to the Marides, a native Thracian race with their own clothing and language idioms. The museum exhibits objects and relics from earlier times. The exhibits include household utensils, agricultural tools, pottery, traditional clothing, etc.
Folklore Museum of Metaxades: a museum that includes many objects and images that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Metaxades. The most important exhibit of the museum is the loom, on which the locals used to weave their clothes and various other fabrics.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
In the most villages of Didymoteicho Municipality, festivals are held mainly on the occasion of religious holidays.
Bagpipe Festival: in the city of Didymoteicho, the bagpipe festival takes place every year on Pentecost, a traditional Thracian feast, in which several musicians participate with traditional Thracian bagpipes and tambourines.
Vatatzia: every year at the beginning of November in the town of Didymoteicho, religious and cultural events are organized in memory of the Byzantine emperor Saint John III Duke Vatatzi, who was born in Didymoteicho in 1193. The events include traditional dances by local associations.
Didymoteicho – Erythropotamos Culture Festival: this is a festival that includes events of historical, scientific, environmental, sporting, musical and artistic interest that aims to highlight the cultural heritage of the region in combination with the natural beauty of the place.
Palaeologia: events held from May 27 to 29 in memory of Constantine XI Palaeologus.
In the village of Metaxades, several events take place during the year, mainly on the occasion of religious events.
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