SAMOTHRACE Samothrace also Samothraki Greek is a Greek

SAMOTHRACE • Samothrace (also Samothraki) (Greek: Σαμοθράκη) is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a municipaty within the Evros regional unit of Thrace. The island is 17 km (11 mi) long and is 178 km 2 (69 sq mi) in size and has a population of 2, 723 (2001 census). Samothrace is one of the most rugged Greek islands, with Mt. Fengari rising to 1, 611 m.

• Among those who visited this shrine to be initiated into the island cult were King Lysander of Sparta, Philip ll of Macedonand Lucius Calpurnius Piso caesoninus father-in-law of Julius Caesar. The ancient city, the ruins of which are called Paleapoli The traditional account from antiquity is that Samothrace was first inhabited by Pelasgians and Carians, and later Thracians. At the end of the 8 th century BC the island was colonised by Greeksfrom Samos, from which the name Samos of Thrace, that later became Samothrace ("old city"), was situated on the north coast. The modern port town of Kamariotissa is on the north-west coast and provides ferry access to and from points in northern Greece such as Alexandroupoli and Kavala. There is no commercial airport on the island. Other sites of interest on the island include the ruins of Genoese forts, the picturesque Chora (old town), and several waterfalls.

What to see • The island's most famous site is the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Greek Hieron ton Megalon Theon ; the most famous artifact of which is the 2. 5 -metre marble statue of Nike, now known as the Winged Victory of Samothrace, dating from about 190 BC. It was discovered in pieces on the island in 1863 by the French archaeologist Charles Champoiseau, and is now - headless - in the Louvre in Paris. •

What to eat • The food is good traditional Greek food but as goats are plentiful on the island many dishes are basically cooked with tender young goats. Samothraki is neither modern nor cosmopolitan. The people are simple, friendly, hospitable, human. The island is clean, quiet and peaceful. The visitor feels the Great Gods are walking with him in Palaeopolis or in the narrow stone-bedded streets of Chora climbimg up towards the castle. For the romantic, who appreciate a really beautiful sunset, for those possessing the necessary imagination that makes mythology real and alive, for those who love history and feel nostalgic towards the past, this island is one of the best choices they can make. GEMISTO KATSIKI SAMOTHRAKIS

Beaches of Samothace • pachia ammos beach profitis illias beach •

Hotels in Samothrace • ΑΡΧΟΝΤΙΣΣΑ Beachhotel Ξενοδοχείο Nίκη Beach "ΥΛΗΕΣΣΑ“ • These are some beautiful hotels to stay. In my opinion the best is ARCHONTISSA Beachhotel.

• • Giannis Kartalis Paulos Maggopoulos Kintz Guven Kirlint Melih THE END!!!