Samothraki is one of the north-east Aegean islands, 29 nautical miles south of the mainland city of Alexandroupolis. This eliptical island covers an area of 180 sq.klm. with a shoreline of 32 klms. It's terrain is mountainous and the highest peak of Mount Saos or Saoki is Fengari at 1700 m. Samothraki became worldwide known, mainly of the beautiful statue VICTORY OF SAMOTHRAKI, which decorates the Louvre Museum, as well as of the Temple of the Great Gods, which in Ancient times was famous as a Panhellenic Religious Centre. The natural beauties of Samothraki , the perennial plane trees , the dense green - ery , the crystal waters , the impetuous waterfalls , the mysterious "Old Vathras" offer the visitor an exotic holiday. Appart from the natural beauties the visitor will have the opportunity to satisfy his gastronomic wishes. The tasty semi - savage goat on the spit is something that the visitors have to try. Concerning leisure time activities visitors can go swimming, fishing and diving in the crystal - clear sea water .

                      HISTORY

             The Pelasgi are considered the island's original inhabitants, while in 700 BC settlers from the island of Samos established themselves on Samothraki, hence its name. After the 5th century BC it successively came under the rule of the Athenians, Spartans and Macedonians. In 86 BC under Syllas, Samothraki was plundered by pirates who desecrated the rich sanctuary of the Cabeiri. The Romans, though, restored it. After the breaking up of the Roman Empire, the island became part of Byzantium. In 1457 the Ottomans occupied Samothraki and the island was abandoned. During the uprising of 1821 those who did not manage to flee to the mountains were slaughtered by the Turks. Samothraki was liberated by the Greek fleet in 1912.

               PLACES OF INTEREST

              The ruins of an ancient city survive to the northof the island, near the village of Palaiopoli, where in 1874 Austrian archaeologists excavated the site of the sanctuary of the Cabeiri.It consists of two temples dedicated to the Cabeiri (4th and 5th centuries) a stoa (west side), and Asrinoeio (north side) - a circular structure dedicated by king Lysimachus to his wife, Arsinoe. To the east lies the Ptolemaeio, built by Ptolemy II of Egypt.The Colossiaio Walls, remains of the ancient city of the settlers from Samos are to be found on higher ground. The two towers of the Castle of the Gatelouzo family survive at the two extremes of the walls. The famous statue of the <<Victory of
Samothraki>> was taken from here to Paris in 1863 .