PREFECTURE OF RODOPI

The prefecture of Rodopi is a pure piece of Greek land, which lies on the North-East side of Greece between the mountain of Rodopi and the North of the Aegean open sea. It is the heart of Thrace having the region of Evros on the East and the region of Xanthi on the West. The region of Rodopi extends over 2.543 square kilometres and has got 9 municipalities with 110.828 inhabitants.
In the North at the green edge of the mount Rodopi many mountainous settlements spread out and on the flat land many towns and villages are placed almost radiously, around the capital of the region, the town of Komotini. Seaside settlements, picturesque fishing ports and sandy beaches alternate all over the region.
The climate varies a lot, according to the geographical relief. Abundant showers, snowy weather and frosts are the characteristics of the mountains of Rodopi, whereas the flat parts of the region have a continental climate with various temperature changes. In the coastal zone, which is mildly affected by the sea, a sweet Mediterranean climate predominates.

The region of Rodopi is by its geographical position a privileged place, since it constitutes an important internal stop on the main communication between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli but also a main road passage from the rest of the European countries towards Turkey and Asia generally. The completion of the Egnatia Road in its biggest part has already upgreated the road communication towards Evros and the eastern boarders and also towards Thessaloniki. The vertical communication road in junctional points of the Egnatia Road, which have been studied, will enlarge the road network towards the northern boarders and will facilitate the way out towards the Aegean sea. The region transportation assists travelers with many itinerary on a 24 hour basis from Thessaloniki and Athens, as well as in different directions in and out the region. The rail junction of the region constitutes an additional advantage of the region which is also assisted by the airports "Democretus" of Alexandroupoli and "Alexander the Great" of Chrysoupoli.

Komotini, with a population of 43.326 residents, is the capital of the Prefecture of Rodopi and the administrative seat of East Macedonia and Thrace Region. It is a contemporary economical and administrative centre, an urban centre which manages to combine the historical elements with the modern rhythms of development.
This little settlement, station of Egnatia Road, which existed previously where today the actual town lies, was fortified, when the Byzantine emperor Theodosios A (in the 4^th century) constructed a four-faceted fortress with corner and intermediate (interspace) towers.
The fortress appears in the 14^th century as a strategic place of the region and as a fortified settlement (the Byzantine name being "Kumutzina"); which then extended its frontiers after the Othoman conquest (1361). During that period many Christian areas (Varosi, St. George) and muslim neighbourhoods sprung up, whereas inside the town's wall the Jewish neighbourhood gathered around its synagogue.
The visitor can observe the long-lasting history of Komotini at every corner of the city. He will admire the co-existing of different religions and cultures, the coexistence of traditional and modern elements, admiring churches and mosques, mansion and neo-classic restored houses, modern multi-storey constructions, picturesque back-streets and at the same time the new road net. The restored central square constitutes a point of reference for both inhabitants and foreigners. The Iroon Road dominates the narrow side of the square and at the rear of this road there is a green park where are can take a walk or have a drink at the bars o cafeterias. Around the square there are monuments -irrefutable witnesses of history. The most ancient monument in town is the Byzantine fortress of the 4^thcentury A. D. and among the remains of the fortress' wall, on the East side, there is a modern church of the Holly Virgin (1800), a characteristic proof of ecclesiastic architecture of the early 19^th century; this church was constructed on the foundation of the older Byzantine church. The wood-carved temple of the church and the mobile icon of the leading Holly Mary are works of art of the 16^th-17^th century.
On of the Eastern side outside the fortress there is a remarkable edifice, the Imaret (the poorhouse), which was built by the dignitary of the town, Gazi Evrenos Bey (1363); Later on it was restored and now it became an Ecclesiastic Museum. The Tsanakly street (where one could find the Library of the Komotini Municipality and the Conservatory of the Friends of Byzantine Music) and a little bit further the Club of the Residents of Komotini offer an image of the prosperity to the city in the late 19^th century.
During the same period-early 20^th century an exceptional edifice was constructed which was initially the Greek Urban School Nestor Tsanakly but which later on became the Rectory of the Democritus University of Thrace.
Two of the oldest muslim temples, the Eski Mosque and the Geni Mosque along with the Clock Tower can be seen in the center of the town. The real treasures of the region, which have been discovered by the archaeologists, are all gathered at the Archaeological Museum, whereas the patterns of thracian tradition are gathered at the Folkloric Museum.
The multi-faceted city of Komotini, which doesn't let the visitor get bored during the day, offers various kinds of entertainment and night life. Komotini caters for different ages and different preferences. The young population in town, which is enhanced by the big number of students of Democritus University, gives a special note to the town-life. In the town as well as in the neighbouring villages one can have lunch or dinner at the good restaurants of taverns, which take pride in their specialities of local meat, fresh fish and sea food. The "Ouzeri" with the selected hors d'oeuvres, the pizzerias, the bars, the cafeterias; the night centers with food and music are many. There are enough hotels both in the center of the city and at the peripheria which serve the temporare travelers as well as the local visitors.