The varied landscape of Thrace continues into Rhodopi prefecture, a happy combination of valleys filled with sweetsmel-ling broom, pine-clad mountains, forests, antiquities and sea.

Sightseeing

Maximianoupolis - Mt. Papikio - the Nymphaia Forest

On the old road between Xanthi and Komotini, just before the latter, stand the ruined walls of the Roman city of Maximia-noupolis. North of Komotini worth visiting is Mt. Papikio with its Byzantine monasteries, which flourished during the 10th century, as well as the pine forest of Nymphaia.

Komotini

Komotini, the prefectural capital, is built in a lush area and has a strong Anatolian atmosphere. Situated along the via Egna-tia, it was founded in the early Christian era and traces of the Byzantine fortress walls can still be seen at the entrance to the modern city.

Among the sights worth seeing here are the Archaeological Museum with finds from Abdera, Maroneia, Mesembria and Dikaia, the Folk Art Museum and the Byzantine Church of the Virgin with its carved iconostasis.

Ancient Maroneia (Maronia) and vicinity

The village of Maroneia lies to the south of Komotini. This is notable both for its old traditional houses and its enormous archaeological site which stretches as far as the sea. The drive from Komotini to Maroneia (30 km.) is very picturesque, passing through the peaceful valley and flowering hills with a view of Mt. Ismaros in the distance.

Ancient Maroneia, the Homeric Ismaros, was a farming and trade centre founded at the foot of Mt. Ismaros in the 7th century B.C. by colonists from the island of Chios. It reached its zenith in the 5th century B.C. and, together with Abdera and Aino, was considered the most prosperous city-state in Thrace. Mythology relates that Odysseus got the Cyclops drunk on red wine from Ismaros. The archeological site, covering an expanse of 2 kilometres, contains remains of the old city walls, the theatre, a sanctuary possibly dedicated to Dionysos and mosaics from a 3rd century B.C. house.

Characteristic of the surrounding area are the small caves backed by precipitous reddish rocks and small brackish lakes where fish are raised and herons take refuge. The village of Aghios Haralambos is the fishing centre of the district and there is a GNTO camp site at the village of Fanari. Spelunkers won't want to miss the Strymi cave.