Travel info

Thrace

The region of Thrace forms the northeastern most corner of Greece and is virtually untouched by mass tourism.
One of the most outstanding features of its landscape are the wetlands made by the big rivers that cut through it the Evros and the Nestos. Its antiquities date from the Paleolithic era with the appearance of the first Thracian tribes to the period of Roman domination (2nd and 3rd century B.C.), when its civilization reached its peak.
Today Thrace can be considered as a link between East and West as elements of both cultures are reflected in its way of life, customs and architecture.
Administratively, the region is divided into three prefectures – Xanthi, Rhodope and Evros, which includes Samothrace, one of the most northerly islands in the Aegean.

Samothrace (samothraki)

The most dominant feature of this island is its massive mountains, of which the highest is Fengari (1,600 m.). The little port where the boats from Alexandroupolis and Kavala dock is called Kamariotissa.
The road leads from the harbour to Paleopoli (5 km.), where the ruins of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods can be visited. The rites celebrated here were equal in importance to the Mysteries at Eleusis. Pausanias, that intrepid 2nd century A.D. traveller, mentions that the Mysteries of the Great Gods took place annually from late July to early August.
Little is known about what actually went on at the Mysteries or about the initiation proceedings, but the requirements were not as strict as at Eleusis.
Visible today at the site are the ruins of the Temple of the Great Gods, the Rotunda of Arsinoe, the Stoa, the Temenos, the Theater and the Fountain of Nike, where the Winged Victory now in the Louvre once stood. The museum contains finds from the Sanctuary and a replica of the world-famous statue. The capital of the island is also called Samothrace (or Samothraki). Built on a mountain, it commands a dominating position over the surrounding sea, as do so many island towns.
The whole island is thickly wooded and coverd with the vegetation typical of the Mediterranean; its wildness makes it a ideal retreat for nature lovers.

Xanthi

Xanthi’s scenery is very varied, with the Rhadopi Mountains on its northern borders, the Papikio Mountains, lakes, rivers and the sea.
The wetlands of the Nestos River and Lake Vistonis lend a special character to the district and constitute a pole of attraction for ecologists from allover Europe.
The archaeological interest in the district is mainly Roman and Byzantine.

Rhodope

The varied landscape of Thrace continues into Rhodope prefecture, a happy combination of valleys filled with sweet smelling broom, pine-clad mountains, forests, antiquities and sea

Evros
The main attractions of Evros prefecture are the Evros river delta, a wetland of worldwide importance ecologically, and its Hellenistic and Roman antiquities.

Schedule Greece
Visit also the Regions and Locations of Greece:

Attica (Athens and Rest of Attica) - Saronic Gulf - North Eastern Aegean Islands
Central Greece and Thessaly - Crete - Cyclades - Dodecanese - Epirus - Evia and the Sporades
Ionian Islands - Macedonia - Peloponnese - Thrace

Greek Destinations: Athens Destination | Arcadia Destination | Attica Destination | Amorgos Destination| Andros Destination | Evia Destination |
Evritania Destination | Fokida Destination | Viotia Destination | Crete Destination | Heraklion Destination | Lassithi Destination | Rethymnon Destination | Ios Destination | Milos Destination | Mykonos Destination | Naxos Destination | Paros Destination | Santorini Destination | Serifos Destination |
Syros Destination | Tinos Destination | Corfu Destination | Kefalonia Destination | Zakynthos Destination | Halkidiki Destination | Serres Destination | Chios Destination | Samos Destination | Argolida Destination | Aegina Destination | Hydra Destination | Poros Destination | Skiathos Destination | Magnesia-Destination | Rhodes Destination | Kos Destination |

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