Samothrace

Samothrace (in Greek Σαμοθράκη / Samothráki ) is an island of the Aegean Sea, in the part of the Mer of Thrace, between Imbros and Thasos near the coasts of the Thrace.

Geography

(to be developed)

History

The island is populated as of the Antiquité and shelters the sanctuary of the Large Gods, a Culte with mysteries, undoubtedly of prehellenic origin or phenician, which makes island, with the eyes of the Greek , a crowned place. Its position advanced towards Thrace and the Hellespont makes a place of religious syncretism of it. Dardanos, the mythical founder of the town of Troy in is originating according to the Greek Mythologie (according to Homère, Poséidon, of the top of the Saos mount, would have followed the combat of the Greeks and Troyens). Moreover it is populated successively by Pélasges, Cariens then Thraces. It receives a colony of inhabitants of Samos at the end of and takes then the name of Samos of Thrace which becomes Samothrace .

It is subjected with its inhabitants in 508 av. J. - C. by the Perses, then enters the confederation of Délos installation by Athens. Conquered by Philippe II for the Macedonia it remains prone to this kingdom until the Roman conquest. She then knows a phase of independence between 168 av. J. - C. and 70 ap. J. - C. until its annexation by Vespasien. Samothrace was a place of refuge for the queen Arsinoé II, towards -280, and for the king Persée of Macedonia after its defeat with Pydna (-168).

The island of Samothrace passes under the Byzantine supervision until in 1204, then Venetian. In 1355 it passes to a family gênoise (the Gattilusi ) before falling under the Turkish yoke in 1457 for nearly five centuries. It takes part in the rising of 1821 but the population is almost entirely exterminated by Turkish repression and the island obtains its fastening with the Greece only in 1912.

At present, the island which belongs to the names Évros and is populated per less 3 000 inhabitants.

Transport

Samothrace does not have a Aéroport. An in theory daily sea link is assured all the year with Alexandroúpoli (approximately 2:00 of crossing, 40km). In season a connection by hydroplane is added, as well as connections by ferry with Kavála (4h, 100 km), and the islands of Límnos (3h, 60 km) and Lesbos.

It is not possible to carry out the turn of the island in the car: the northern road ends in the Cape Kipos (not Eastern), the southern road with the beach of Pahia Ammos.

Tourism

Samothrace is still about saved by tourism of mass, because of its peripheral situation, of its relative difficulty of access and its small number of beautiful beaches (Pahia Ammos, Vatos, Niki, Kipos). It interests the amateurs of history rather, even of mysticism (the sanctuary of the Large Gods), the hikers and those which like the spectacular points of view (the Fengari mount). It is in spite of rather known German tourists.

Samothrace has the advantage of having of sources and fed rivers all the year, in which it is possible to bathe (Fonias), and of a pleasant vegetation. It counts a thermal small station, Loutra (Therma), appraisal since the Roman epoch. If the small port of Kamariotissa, though resting, is rather unspecified, Hora, the chief town of the island, located inside the grounds and built in amphitheater with mountainside, is very picturesque. One meets on the island some historical vestiges (turns génoises).

Samothrace accommodates an annual festival of musics of the world, which lasts three days.

See too