Guide of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace

The Municipality is seated at Doxato, which is a small town situated in the southeastern corner of the Prefecture of Drama, 10 km from the town of Drama. It covers an area of 27,714 km2 and has a population of 11,000 inhabitants. The largest part of this area is cultivated, yet only a small part of this area is equipped with irrigation system. Agriculture is the main occupation of the inhabitants and tobacco, wheat and corn are the major agricultural products.

The area has been inhabited since the prehistoric era, as it is attested by the Neolithic settlement at the location of Doxat-tepe (4000-2000 BC). The name of Doxato is known since 1600 AD and is probably associated with the site, where the village is found into the wide plain (“doxato” is the name for the spacious first-floor room found in the traditional Macedonian houses that affords splendid views).

People from Epirus joined the local population of Doxato in 1850. In 1896 people from Kastoria and Macedonochoria of Chalkidiki also settled in the town. In 1912 and 1922, refugees from Thrace, Asia Minor and Pontus also found shelter here. The prosperity and wealth of Doxato due to the tobacco production made it famous during the period of the Turkish domination but in 1913 it was burned down by the Bulgarian troops when they were leaving the area.

The small town of Doxato is an interesting example of how interwar architecture was implemented in the buildings that bear classical-like features or other elements echoing the baroque, renaissance, gothic style, etc. Some distinguishable buildings are the Primary school, the old and the new Holy Church of Aghios Athanassios. Many houses are remarkable buildings (the house of Ziggilis, Vogiatzis, etc) and the two tobacco stores stand as a reminiscent of the economic development of Doxato in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.

Doxato is famous for its horse races, an age-old custom that takes place on 2 May every year, on the feast of Aghios Athanassios Day. During this feast, people went to the place, where the horse races were held, with the accompaniment of the music of zournas (kind of clarinet) and watched the event with enthusiasm. The horse races are organized by “Philippi”, the Equestrian Club of Doxato in collaboration with the local authorities and other clubs. The Athens and Germany society of “Heroico Doxato” is also an active society with noteworthy events.