Samothraki Island Greece

The most dominant feature of the island is its massive mountains, of which the highest is Fengari (1,600m). The little port where the boats from Alexandroupolis and Kavala dock, is called Kamariotissa.
The road leads from the harbour to Paleopoli where the ruins of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods can be visited. The rites celebrated here were equal in importance to the Mysteries at Eleusis. Pausanias, that intrepid 2nd century A.D. traveller, mentions that the Mysteries of the Great Gods took place annually from late July to early August.
Little is known about what actually went on at the Mysteries or about the initiation proceedings, but the requirements were not as strict as Eleusis.
Visible today at the site are the ruins of the Temple of the Great Gods, the Rotunda of Arsinoe, the Stoa, The Temenos, the Theatre and the fountain of Nike, where the Winged Victory, now in the Louvre, once stood. The museum contains finds from the Sanctuary and a replica of the world-famous statue. The capital of the island is also called Samothraki (Samothrace). Built on a mountain, it commands a dominating position over the surrounding sea, as do so many island towns.
The whole island is thickly wooded and covered with the vegetation typical of the Mediterranean; its wildness makes it an ideal retreat for nature lovers.

History of Samothraki

According to the famous Greek Historian Herodotus, the first inhabitants of the island were Pelasgi. Around 700 B.C., Greeks came from Samos and that is the reason Homer calls the island Thracian Samos. It is he that also mentions its name as the island Neptune chose to watch the Trojan war from sitting on the top of its mountain. 
Soon after, the island came to a rapid economic rise and was dominant in the area of North Aegean having also control over the Ellispontos' straits. 
But the thing that gave Samothraki its glow, was the rituals taking place there which made the island a religious center. The mysteries of Kaviria that used to be performed are not yet known of, since all those initiated were bound with awesome oaths never to reveal a single thing about the doings. The place was Palia Poli (Old Town), lying 6 km north of the port in an area of unbelievable beauty of which only Delphi can be compared to.

Beaches and Sports

There are beaches at Kamariotissa, at Paleopoli and many on the way to Lakoma.

Other activities

There are Hot springs and Baths at Therma. Local celebrations on the 20th of July, the 26th of July and the 15th of August.

Night Life

Several taverns at the villages of the island and some pubs and a disco at the capital.

Transportation

Flights from Athens to Alexandroupoli are scheduled every day. For more information contact Olympic Airways in Athens tel. (01) 9666666.A ferry service connects Alexandroupoli to Kamariotissa (duration: 2,5h). There is another ferry service from Alexandroupoli to Kavala to Samothraki to Limnos to Agios Efstratios and then to Mytilini and Agios Konstantinos on the mainland, but this is operational only at summer. For more information contact the Coastguard of Agios Konstantinos tel. (0235) 31.759.

Useful Telephone numbers

Automatic dialing code: 0551

Municipality: 41218
Medical Emergencies: 41376
Police: 41203
Coastguard: 41305
Post Office: 41244
Association of owners of rooms for rent: 41533
National Bank: 41750
Agricultural Bank: 41210