The Istibei fortress is located on the top of Mount Beles, at an altitude of 1339 m, right on the Greek-Bulgarian border. To get there, follow the provincial road Kilkis-Byronia-Petritsi, or the National Road Serres-Siderokastro-Petritsi. There is an asphalted uphill road 14 km long to the top of Beles that the visitor can follow from Petritsi village. However, this road is not passable during winter months.
In March 1989, a small museum and a monument were built at the expense of the Panhellenic Association of Warriors and Friends of Fortresses of Macedonian and Thrace to remind the younger generations of the heroic resistance of the Greek warriors against the attack of the German and Bulgarian forces in April 1941.
The museum is a small one-room building, in which weapons (rifles, revolvers, pistols), helmets, bayonets, insignia of the Greek and German armies and uniforms of the Greek army of that time are exhibited in showcases, as well as numerous fragments of Greek and German missiles.
The audiovisual system gives the visitor the opportunity to witness how the battle of the forts unfolded. You can also visit a loggia of the fort that has chambers, offices, warehouses, kitchens, infirmary, pharmacy, water reservoirs, and other spaces that were used by the defenders of the Istibei fort.
Congratulation!