The island of Samothrace, in the North Aegean, lies some 34 km. southwest of the Thracian city of Alexandroupolis. It is the second highest island in the Aegean; Mount Fengari rises to some 1600m. Access to the island is by boat only. The island is small, some 176 square km., but it contains one of the ancient world's great mystery sites, the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, including the Great Mother of Axeiros and the Cabeiroi. Samothrace is not on the main tourist route, but the natural beauty of the island, rivers, forests and mountains, astounds those who come here. The highest mountain is Mt. Fengari (1611m) and is the highest mountain in the Aegean . Samothrace is rich in flora and fauna and ideal for nature lovers. The ancient site of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods goes back in time to when the island was a major religious centre.
An island of the northern Aegean, Samothrace (Samothraki) is located opposite the gulf of Saros. It is mostly mountainous Mt. Saros, whose peak Fengari (moon) reaches an altitude of 1,600 metres, and 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 coastline forms four capes: Akrotiri, Malathria or Megalo Akrotiri, Angistro and Kipo. Samothrace especially important historically because of the Cabeirian mysteries held in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. Today, near Paleopoli, where the famous Victory of Samothrace (Louvre) was found, one can see the ruins of the Sanctuary, the Tholos of Arsinoe, the Arcade, the Temenos, the Palace and the Theatre. Samothraki or Hora is the capital of the island. It is a charming inland village in the traditional style. 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. |
