Samothrace
Samothrace is a very unique Greek island in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea. It is bordered to the north by the Thracian Sea and belongs administratively to the region of Evros. Its distance from Alexandroupoli is 24 nautical miles (about two hours by ferry), it has a total area of 178 square kilometers and a population of approximately 2,840 residents. Samothrace in ancient Greek means “High Thrace” (samos = tall, high), as Feggari, the highest peak of mountain Saos has an altitude of 1610 meters. Kamariotissa is the port of the island, situated on the northwestern tip, and is also one of the major settlements of Samothrace, along with Chora, Therma and Alonia.
Samothraki has beautiful beaches, most of which are not accessible by road, with turquoise waters and one of the richest seabeds of the Mediterranean. The verdant landscapes of Samothrace are what makes the island unique: wild nature, dense vegetation, and abundant springs. You will also see goats in the middle of nowhere, as a large number of them live in the wild in the mountains of the island. Brooks and streams that originate from mountain Saos, on their way to the sea often form waterfalls, as well as vathres, which resemble natural pools in the rocks and will surely entice you to dive into their icy, crystal waters.
Apart from its natural beauty, Samothrace has a rich history and is of huge archaeological interest. The world famous statue “Nike of Samothrace ” was discovered on the island in 1863 and today is one of the most important exhibits in the Louvre, in Paris. The “Cabeiri Mysteries” that took place in ancient times in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods of Samothrace, were one of the occult rites of the ancient Greeks.
At much later times, with the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders, Samothrace fell into the hands of the Franks Gattilusi, who fortified the island with towers and walls, which are preserved until today.
Come to Samothrace, this unique island that will enchant you with its secrets, which you will never get tired discovering!
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Samothrace - Access
All access information to Samothrace, whether you are looking to travel by airplane, car, boat, train etc. Learn how to get there no matter your starting point. Read more
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Samothrace - Beaches
Discover all beaches of Samothrace on the map, with transport information and nearby points of interest. Popular or hidden beaches, family or nude, with a restaurant or beach bar on the coast, you will find it in TerraBook. Read more
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Samothrace - Churches of Samothrace
According to tradition, the churches of Samothrace are 999. The visitors will see mostly Byzantine churches, many of which are dilapidated, but standing for hundreds of years as witnesses of the religious traditions of the ancient island. The most important of the churches of Samothrace and the religious monuments of the island are: • The Shrine of Apostle Paul, a monument to the Apostle who spent there the first night of his European tour. • The Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Chora , where the skulls of the Five Neomartyrs are kept and • Agia Paraskevi of Samothrace, with the famous festival under the plane trees Remnants from paleochristian basilicas of the churches of Samothrace have been randomly found both in Kamariotissa, during the construction of the new church of Panagia Kamariotissa, and in Paleopoli, next to the archaeological site which is considered the most important of Samothrace. At a short distance from the village Therma lie the remains of the Late Byzantine church of Christ, another one from the churches of Samothrace that is considered a Byzantine monument of the island. At the location of Mandal' Panagia, 3 km. outside the village Prophitis Ilias, excavations at an outdoor ancient temple revealed the remains of a chapel of the Middle Byzantine period, considered one of the oldest churches ruins of Samothrace Read more
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Samothrace - Cultural Attractions
Discover all sights & points of interest of Samothrace on the map, with transport information, hours of service and contact details. Everything you should do & see on your trip. Read more
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Samothrace - Culture
One of the Greek islands of great importance during antiquity, Samothrace has a lot to offer culture-wise. From ancient findings, which suggest that the island was inhabited since prehistoric times, to the references in the Homeric epics, Samothrace was always one of the centers of Greek culture. In ancient times Samothrace was famous for the cult of the Great Gods. The Sanctuary , which was dedicated to these occult gods, hosted then fine exhibits of culture, such as the famous statue of Nike of Samothrace . The Cabeiri mysteries that took place here were one of the most important occult rituals in ancient Greece. Afterwards, it was the Byzantine culture that left its mark on Samothrace. It is said that there are 999 churches and chapels on the island! Some of them, like the Panagia Krimniotissa or the Monastery of Agios Athanasios are great examples of that culture and its heritage. The medieval Towers of Samothrace are cultural monuments of the Venetians, built during the occupation of the island by the Genoese family of Gateluzzi. Read more
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Samothrace - Information
Samothrace is an island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, while its northern coast is on the ThracianSea. It belongs to the region of Evros,Thrace, and has an oval shape. Geography Samothrace is 24 nautical miles (about two hours by ferry) away from Alexandroupolis and is surrounded by the islands of Lemnos, Imbros and Thasos. The island has an area of 178 square kilometers and a population of 2,840 inhabitants, according to the census of 2011. It is a mountainous island, with Saos being its largest mountain that dominates the landscape and its highest peak is Fegari, reaching 1611 meters. Settlements The port of the island is Kamariotissa, on the northwestern coast. It is also one of the most important settlements of Samothrace, along with Chora, Therma and Alonia. Overall the island has more than ten scarcely populated settlements, which are gathered in the more sheltered northern part of the island and form a single municipality. Beaches The coastline of Samothrace is 59 km, of which 35 km are beaches, mostly rocky. Most of them are not accessible by road, and their waters are turquoise, with one of the richest sea bed of the Mediterranean: the marine and underwater life hosted here include rare species and ecosystems. Nature The verdant environment of Samothrace makes the island unique: wild, dense vegetation, and an abundance of springs. The species of flora and fauna are countless, and do not be surprised if you come across goats in the middle of nowhere - a large number of them live in the wild in the mountains of the island. Forests with plane trees, pines, cedars and other trees, cover most of the island and reach all the way to the sea. The plenty brooks and streams that originate in Saos, on their way to the sea often form waterfalls, as well as "vathres ". They are small ponds amidst the rocks, which resemble natural pools and are sure to entice you to dive into their icy, crystal clear waters. History Apart from its natural beauty, Samothrace has a rich history and is of archaeological interest. The world famous statue "Nike of Samothrace" was discovered on the island in 1863 and today is one of the most important exhibits in the museum of Louvre, Paris. The "Cabeiri Mysteries" that took place in ancient times in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods of Samothrace, were one of the occult rites of the ancient Greeks. Read more
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Samothrace - Nature
It is not often that you will find an island so green and with so many springs as Samothrace, the nature of which is the reason that thousands of travelers visit it every year: vegetation, streams, waterfalls, beaches... Read more
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Samothrace - Restaurants
One of the Greek islands of great importance during antiquity, Samothrace has a lot to offer culture-wise. From ancient findings, which suggest that the island was inhabited since prehistoric times, to the references in the Homeric epics, Samothrace was always one of the centers of Greek culture. In ancient times Samothrace was famous for the cult of the Great Gods. The Sanctuary , which was dedicated to these occult gods, hosted then fine exhibits of culture, such as the famous statue of Nike of Samothrace . The Cabeiri mysteries that took place here were one of the most important occult rituals in ancient Greece. Afterwards, it was the Byzantine culture that left its mark on Samothrace. It is said that there are 999 churches and chapels on the island! Some of them, like the Panagia Krimniotissa or the Monastery of Agios Athanasios are great examples of that culture and its heritage. The medieval Towers of Samothrace are cultural monuments of the Venetians, built during the occupation of the island by the Genoese family of Gateluzzi. Read more
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Samothrace - Tradition
One of the Greek islands of great importance during antiquity, Samothrace has a lot to offer culture-wise. From ancient findings, which suggest that the island was inhabited since prehistoric times, to the references in the Homeric epics, Samothrace was always one of the centers of Greek culture. In ancient times Samothrace was famous for the cult of the Great Gods. The Sanctuary , which was dedicated to these occult gods, hosted then fine exhibits of culture, such as the famous statue of Nike of Samothrace . The Cabeiri mysteries that took place here were one of the most important occult rituals in ancient Greece. Afterwards, it was the Byzantine culture that left its mark on Samothrace. It is said that there are 999 churches and chapels on the island! Some of them, like the Panagia Krimniotissa or the Monastery of Agios Athanasios are great examples of that culture and its heritage. The medieval Towers of Samothrace are cultural monuments of the Venetians, built during the occupation of the island by the Genoese family of Gateluzzi. Read more
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Samothrace - Transportation
The best way for getting around the island of Samothrace is to have your own means of transport. The road network provides access to most parts of the island, while the only gas station is located just outside Kamariotissa. The distances are relatively small, but in order to visit some of the best beaches of Samothrace you will have to use a boat. The Municipality of Samothrace, at least during the summer season, in an effort to provide transportation for locals and visitors, connects with bus itineraries the main tourist centers of Samothrace. Starting from the port of Kamariotissa, there are routes to • Paleopoli, Therma and Ano Meria, • Chora , uite frequently and • Alonia, Lakoma and Prophitis Ilias. Otherwise, if you want more autonomy in your movements, taxis of Samothrace are at your disposal. The taxi stand at the promenades of Kamariotisa is located at the intersection where the breakwater begins. Because taxis in Samothrace are few, if you do not find one at the stand, you can call the phone numbers that you will see there. Indicative fares, from Kamariotissa to Therma: about 15 euros, to the camping site about 20 €, to Chora 8 €, to Pachia Ammos 20 € and to Panagia Krimniotissa 25 €. Read more
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Samothrace - Villages
Learn where to stay in Samothrace, and which places to visit. Browse all the villages, cities and communities on the map, along with nearby points of interest Read more
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Samothrace - Walking Tourism
It is not often that you will find an island so green and with so many springs as Samothrace, the nature of which is the reason that thousands of travelers visit it every year: vegetation, streams, waterfalls, beaches... Read more
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samothrace - Churches of Samothrace
According to tradition, the churches of Samothrace are 999. The visitors will see mostly Byzantine churches, many of which are dilapidated, but standing for hundreds of years as witnesses of the religious traditions of the ancient island. The most important of the churches of Samothrace and the religious monuments of the island are: • The Shrine of Apostle Paul, a monument to the Apostle who spent there the first night of his European tour. • The Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in Chora , where the skulls of the Five Neomartyrs are kept and • Agia Paraskevi of Samothrace, with the famous festival under the plane trees Remnants from paleochristian basilicas of the churches of Samothrace have been randomly found both in Kamariotissa, during the construction of the new church of Panagia Kamariotissa, and in Paleopoli, next to the archaeological site which is considered the most important of Samothrace. At a short distance from the village Therma lie the remains of the Late Byzantine church of Christ, another one from the churches of Samothrace that is considered a Byzantine monument of the island. At the location of Mandal' Panagia, 3 km. outside the village Prophitis Ilias, excavations at an outdoor ancient temple revealed the remains of a chapel of the Middle Byzantine period, considered one of the oldest churches ruins of Samothrace Read more