THRACE
Thrace (Thraki) occupies the northeastern corner of Greece. It
borders with Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the east and
has southern shores on the Thracian sea. Thrace is today
considered a place where the East meets the West in perfect
harmony, as it is the connecting link between Asia and Europe.
It is a special place with a very rich history, and it has been
relatively untouched by the tourism explosion. Neolithic finds,
antiquities dating from the Hellenistic era, Roman and Byzantine
monuments, can be found everywhere in Thrace. To the north it
meets the Rodopi mountain range, whose foothills become fertile
plains to the south. The climate ranges from continental to
Mediterranean with lots of rain and snow. Vast plains, such as
those of Xanthi and Komotini, fertile valleys, such as the Evros
valley, great rivers, rich vegetatlon, and forests with many
trees mark the region. The lakes and wetlands of Thrace are
among the most important in Europe with perhaps more than three
hundred protected species of birds. More than 200,000 wild
waterbitds spend their winters here. The flora has drawn the
attention of ecologists.
Entering Thrace from Kavala, the visitor encounters scenic
Xanthi, the capital of the district of Xanthl. It is built on
the location of ancient Xantheia and is justly proud of the many
old houses and mansions which are prime examples of local
architecture. A Byzantine castle dominates its surroundings from
the top of a nearby hill to the north of town. Picturesque
monasteries lurk among the pine-wooded hills.
Porto Lagos, an attractive fishing village is nearby, as are
Avdira, Mesimvria, and Maronia. Further to the northeast, is
scenic Komotini, capital of the district of Rodopi. The forts of
the area, which date from pre-Christian times to the Byzantine
era, are of special interest. Finds from all of the
archaeological sites in Thrace are displayed in the Komotini
Museum.
Alexandroupoli, the capital of the district of Evros, is a
seaside town known for its fine sandy beaches. A pretty town
with well laid-out streets and neo-classical buildings. To the
northeast of Alexandroupoli is Feres with its especially
important Byzantine cathedral of Theotokos tis Kosmosotiras.
Along the Greco-Turkish border, to the north, is Soufli, famous
for its silk production and its silks, and even further north
are Didimotiho and Orestiada. The first is a splendid Byzantine
city and the second is a small town built in a fertile area.
Roads pass through planted fields, flanked by wooded mountains
and the deep blue sea. Other roads pass through cities,
villages, and landscapes possessing a rare Greek beauty. The
same roads lead the visitor through nature, history, and
tradition to the eastern-most point ot Greece, wonderful Thrace.
SAMOTHRACE
An island of the northern Aegean, Samothrace
(Samothraki) is located opposite the gulf of Saros. It is mostly
mountainous; it is covered by Mt Saros whose peak Fengari (moon)
reaches an altitude of 1,600 metres, which is the highest peak
on any island, Crete and Euboea apart.
Samothrace has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and
fairly cool summers.
The smooth coasline forms four capes: Aktotiri, Malathria or
Megalo Akrotiri, Angistro, and Kipo.
Samothrace was especially important in antiquity because of the
Cabeirian mysteries held in the Sunctuary of the Great Gods.
Today, near Paleopoli where the Famous Victory of Samothrace
(Louvre Museum) was found, one can see the ruins of the
Sanctuary, the Tholos of Arsinoe, the Arcade, the Temenos, the
palace, the theatre, etc.
Samothrakl or Hora is the capltal of the island. It is a
charming village in the traditional style built in the island's
interior.
Small picturesque villages, abundant physical beauty, forests
coupled with Mediterranean vegetation and running water, and the
virgin shores, compose a specially impressive landscape that is
the "refuge" of many nature lovers.