The Municipality of Paranesti is a municipality in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, established in 2011 under the Kallikratis Program. It was formed through the merger of the former municipalities of Nikiforos and Paranesti. The municipality covers an area of 1,037.82 square kilometers, and its permanent population is 2,843 residents according to the 2021 census. The seat of the municipality is Paranesti.
Topography
The Municipality of Paranesti is a mountainous municipality crossed by the Nestos River, extending to the gorge of the Thracian Tempi. To the south rise the Lekani Mountains, while to the northeast lies the Koula mountain range with Mounts Chaintou (Erymanthos) and Stamna, and the mountainous area of Lepida. To the north rises Frakto, and to the northwest, on the borders with the Municipality of Drama, lies Elatia. On the slopes of the mountains, several streams are formed which merge into large tributaries of the Nestos River, creating impressive waterfalls.
Municipal Units and settlements
The Municipality of Paranesti consists of 2 “municipal units,” which correspond to the 2 merged municipalities. Each municipal unit is divided into “communities,” which correspond to the districts of the abolished local authorities (OTAs). The present-day communities of the municipality were independent communities and municipalities before the implementation of the Kapodistrias Program.
Municipal Unit of Paranesti
The Municipal Unit of Paranesti constituted the entire municipality before its merger under the Kallikratis Program. It is a semi-mountainous area covering 788,394 stremmata. It has a (real) population of 1,646 residents, most of whom are refugees from 1922 from Pontus and Asia Minor. Residents of the area also participated in the struggles for Macedonia during the Macedonian Struggle. Notable Macedonian fighters included Alexandros Sarafis from Oxyia Sillis and Dimitrios Gouzimpas from Mesochori.
Includes the following communities and settlements:
Community of Paranesti
Community of Tholos
Community of Silli
Municipal Unit of Nikiforos
The former municipality and current Municipal Unit of Nikiforos has a (real) population of 4,279 residents. The seat of the former municipality was Nikiforos.
Includes the following communities and settlements:
Community of Nikiforos
Community of Adriani
Community of Ano Pyxari
Community of Platanias
Community of Platanovrysi
Community of Ptelea Platanias
Community of Ypsili Rachi
Attractions
Waterfalls
* The 1st waterfall of Agia Varvara, near Dipotama, in the Arkoudorema valley, with a height of over 15 m. Its waters form a small lake and the wider area has been developed as a recreational site by the Forestry Service.
* The Trachoni–Dipotama waterfall, 15 km north of Trachoni in Arkoudorema, with a height of 40 m. It is considered the largest waterfall in the Balkans.
* The waterfall of Skoteino stream, 2 km south of Megalo Livadi
* The waterfall of Lepida, 35 m high, 7 km from Dipotama towards the Lepida Forest
* The 1st waterfall of Achladorema, in the Virgin Forest of Frakto, 7 m high
* The 2nd waterfall of Achladorema, in the Virgin Forest of Frakto, 13 m high
* The 3rd waterfall of Achladorema, in the Virgin Forest of Frakto, 70 m high
* The 4th waterfall of Achladorema, in the Virgin Forest of Frakto, 40 m high (seasonal)
* The 5th waterfall of Achladorema, in the Virgin Forest of Frakto, 70 m high (seasonal)
Bridges
* The bridge of Kryni
* The bridge of Prasinada below the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour
* The bridge of Pefki in the area of Zarkadia in Farasino
* The bridge of Pehan in the Thermia stream
* The bridges of Stravorrema (five bridges)
* The bridges of Farasino (three bridges)
* The single-arch bridge of Tsoukaliou, in the Dipotama area
* The bridges of Trachoni, in the abandoned settlement of Machalas and Kato Machalas
* The single-arch bridge of Arkoudorema (considered the largest of its kind in Eastern Macedonia)
