SAMOTHRAKI TRAVEL GUIDE

SAMOTHRAKI > OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

Samothraki is located in the Northeast Aegean and is the only island in Evros Prefecture. It is known since ancient times as the “Sacred Island” where the Kavirian Rituals (similar to the Eleusinian Rituals) took place.

Its name probably derives from its mountainous landscape. The pre-Hellenic word “samos” meant “height” so “Samothraki” is “High Thrace”. Its highest mountain is Saos (1664m) and its summit is called Feggari (Moon).

Chora, the island’s capital, is located at the inner part of the island and is built amphitheatrically over the ruins of a medieval castle far from the shore and hidden amongst the slopes of Mt Saos. Visitors are charmed by the medieval ruins, the beautiful cobbled streets and narrow alleys as well as the architecture of the little two-storey houses with the tiled rooftops. The Church of “Kimisi tis Theotokou” (Assumption of Virgin Mary) and the little Folklore Museum in Chora are definitely worth a visit.

The best beaches are the coble-stone ones of Fonias, Kipos, Palaiopoli, the beautiful Pachia Ammos and the sandy palm beach of Vatos.