Samothrace


The island lies about 50 kilometres south of Alexandroupolis on the mainland. It's next to Thasos, Lemnos und Gökcenda (Turkey). Samothrace has an area of 180 square kilometres and a population of about 2500. That's pretty good at least when you don't like it crowded.

Samothrace
Picture: © Time Light - Fotolia.com

Samothrace is beautiful. It has plenty of forest and is quite mountainous. Mt. Fengari with its 1611 meters altitude offers a magnificent view. Getting up there is quite a hike but it well worth's it. Hiking is a popular thing to do on Samothrace. The best time is spring. There are quite a few rare birds on the island so don't forget to bring your binoculars. With a bit of luck you'll see herons, pelicans and hawks. Be careful in summer and bring plenty of water. The heat can be intolerable.

Although Samothrace has many "fans" that come there for 20 and more years, tourism itself is a rather recent development. The island still is laid back though. Most of the hotels you'll find in Kamariotissa (port) and Therma. Basic rooms you can also rent in the local capital Chora. It is considered the most beautiful settlement on the island and indeed quite picturesque.

There are two campsites in Therma.

There is hardly any nightlife on the island but a number of really good restaurants.

From the port you can get to Chora and Therma by bus.

Getting to Samothrace: There is a ferry to Alexandroupolis pretty much every day. The boat to Kavala is even more frequent. Depending on the season there are one or two boats a day. There is no airport on Samothrace.

There is not much sight-seeing on the island. Not to be missed however is the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. In the ancient world Samothrace would have been well known for the "Mysteries", a chthonic cult we know very little about. Initiates weren't allowed to reveal what happened there and most of them kept the secret. The most famous of these secretive cults would have been the Eleusinian Mysteries but Samothrace was as important.

The sanctuary these days is more famous for a sculpture that was found there: The Winged Victory of Samothrace. This Nike today is in the Louvre in Paris, a copy of the 2.5 metres high statue is on display in the local museum next to the sanctuary. This Nike is considered one of the most impressive pieces from the Hellenistic period.

Other places to visit would be the ruins of an old fort and the monastery at Alonia. There are loads of small churches and chapels on the island, wildlife was already mentioned. Should you are planning to go on a longer hike you will be pleased to hear that there are quite a few waterfalls on the island. Samothrace remains one of my favourite island.

Information about Berlin: The 3 airports of Berlin will be soon reduced to one. The Nightlife of Berlin is happening for example in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

 

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