Among the 60 best parks in Europe is the park of Saint Barbara in Drama. The park has been presented in the exhibition “Squares of Europe, Squares for Europe” at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki.
It is an exhibition in which 60 selected squares of Europe were presented, including the park of Saint Barbara in Drama. The exhibition was organized by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Venice, the Polytechnic of Catalonia, the University European Studies Center and other bodies.
The design of the space was based on a study by the Technical University of Thessaloniki, which won the first prize in Hamburg as the best study – utilization of a tourist space. In the park of Sant Barbara operates the first visitor information kiosk, while soon a second thematic one will start operating.
Drama is a city built on water. The central sources of these waters are located in the Garden and in Saint Barbara.
The crystal clear waters of Saint Barbara have a wide variety of fish: in the evening, crayfish and small bream fish appear in the underground lights, while in white-water are trout and red mullet. Also, the foundations of a building are visible underwater. According to legend, these are the ruins of the old church of Saint Barbara, which got submerged when the Turks tried to tear it down to build a mosque. During the day of Theophany, the Cross is thrown in these waters from the platform every year.
The feast of the Patron Saint of Drama is celebrated by children too. In the afternoon, the procession of the icon from the Metropolis to the church of Saint Barbara (found in the springs). After the service, when it is dark, the children leave styrofoam boats in the water with lit candles. They sit and enjoy the spectacle for hours, arguing at the same time about who has built the best boat. When the candles melt, the styrofoam catches fire and the boat sinks. This feast can last an entire evening. The children will arrive home after a night in cold weather, where they will be able to sleep after first tasting the warm “barvara” (a traditional food that honors the memory of the Saint).
Congratulation!