Thrace is an inexhaustible place, a place that the visitor needs to dedicate days to gain some of its inexhaustible secrets. Besides, Thrace is at the same time the northernmost and easternmost geographical region of Greece. Our journey in Thrace continues; the first part is read here. A trip that can be either multi-day or “autonomous”. We visit Xanthi.
Trekking in Thrace: The capital Xanthi in the homonymous prefecture
If you have first passed or stayed in Komotini, this city is connected to Xanthi through the old National Road, and this route will give you the opportunity to see the lagoon of Vistonida, along with the port of Porto Lagos and the chapel of Agios Nikolaos. It is one of the four wooden bridges in Greece that is worth walking on at least once.
Picturesque, clean, tasteful, Xanthi is truly one of the most beautiful Greek cities. In the old town, the well-preserved houses with the wonderful gardens will impress you. Xanthi is even known as a city of thousands of colors and as the “lady of Thrace”. And of course, she has become known all over the world for her famous tobacco. As for the old town, the picturesque and narrow alleys will give you the feeling that you are in a well-preserved old town somewhere in central Europe. In the central square of Xanthi, you will find the old clock, built in 1880, next to it the town hall, and within walking distance the Cathedral of God Sophia (majestic and a pilgrimage site) with the small park of fallen heroes.
Stops not to be missed in Xanthi
Tobacco warehouses. In this area, you will see the places where the famous tobacco of Xanthi was stored. The first tobacco warehouses were created after 1860 and had one floor, while at the end of the 19th century, they were larger. The most typical example of a tobacco warehouse is the building that houses the Foundation of Thracian Art and Tradition, which often hosts numerous events and exhibitions, so a stop here is probably necessary. The famous Bazaar of Xanthi. It usually takes place on Saturdays. Its history is lost in the depths of the Ottoman period, and the spectacle it offers is unique. And what you won’t find here on your trip to Thrace. From fresh fruits and vegetables from the wider region, spices, to clothes and small items. Everything is exuberantly launched by merchants. In fact, do not be surprised at all if you meet tourists from the surrounding Balkan countries, mainly from neighboring Bulgaria, but also citizens from neighboring prefectures.
The Path of Life. Beautiful green lung just a few steps from the urban center of Xanthi. Visitors can cross it while the river Kosynthos runs around them. The castle of Xanthippe. It encompasses the city of Xanthi. One of the legends about this castle says that once lived here Queen Xanthippe, who used a secret tunnel to descend to the nearby ravine to the river Kosynthos and swim there. You will get here through a two-kilometer route, which starts from the Samakov bridge.
The journey in Thrace continues
Panagia, a road leading to the monastery of Panagia Archangeliotissa, which dates back to 1841. It is an ideal choice for those who want to take a winter walk in Xanthi. Approaching the monastery at an altitude of 160 meters, one can enjoy a unique natural landscape.
The local cuisine of Xanthi is something that should be duly honored. It reflects the cultural mosaic that composed the current identity of Xanthi (Greeks, Turks, Pomaks, Roma, Asian minorities, Armenians, Pontians, Cappadocians). Here are some of the things you can try: kebabs, pumpkins with spices, lamb with yufkades (like long noodles), sweet cariokes, soutzuk loukoumi, fresh butter, Turkish delights and nougat, the authentic oriental pastries. In any case, a dessert and a coffee at the traditional café-patisserie “Nea Hellas” is a stop that you should definitely make before leaving beautiful Xanthi.
In Pomakohoria in Xanthi
A journey to Thrace, within the itinerary. The Pomakohoria in the northern mountainous region of Xanthi are an excursion capital in themselves. They encapsulate more than any other place in our country the cultures, traditions, and religions that have left their mark on our country, and especially Northern Greece. For many, they are an unknown Greece. Their nature is unparalleled. “Pinned” and isolated in the Rhodope Mountains, they have basically a Pomak population, citizens with the religion of Islam. The character of the villages is extremely picturesque, as is the architecture of the houses. A milestone in the daily life of the region was the abolition of the “borders” (barriers) in 1990. Until then, the inhabitants of the villages had to pass the bars with white IDs to be in Xanthi. The activity that gives life to the Pomakohoria is the cultivation and processing of tobacco. In less than half an hour from the center of Xanthi is the village of Sminthi, followed by the village of Myki. Both are worth your visit, and in both, you will be impressed by women, from little girls to big ladies, who wear traditional Pomak costumes. Just before the Greek-Bulgarian border is the village of Thermes, with thermal springs that you can enjoy for a small fee. Just before Thermes is the village of Echinos (28 km from Xanthi), which is the largest village in the area with its trademark minarets.
The attitude you should not miss
It may be a bit exaggerated, but we will say it – the Tavern of Halil Oglou Cemil in Kottani is among the trio of stops that you should not miss on the trek to Thrace. Many call it the best traditional koutouki in Greece (the upper floor even functions as an informal museum of a classic pomak house). Mr. Jemil and his wife are excellent hosts and welcome guests into their homes. They cook and serve themselves the exquisite dishes they make, at prices that will make you order and reorder. You should definitely try Pomaki pie with herbs, kneaded bread, fresh salads with local herbs, and delicious mountain meat.
Evros Prefecture
The two most important cities of the prefecture are Soufli and Alexandroupolis. The landscape is defined by the river Evros and the contrasts and compositions it gives – from the beautifully cultivated plains, to the dense clusters of trees and the spread on the banks of the river.
Travelogue in Thrace: In Soufli
From your first steps in the city, the beautiful railway station of Soufli, built in 1872, will invite you to make a stop here again and again. The primary reason it was built was to meet the commercial needs of the then-rising silk city. In Soufli, the traditional architecture of the Thracian houses is quite evident and blends harmoniously with the modern houses. The most beautiful houses of all, however, are the famous hooded houses, the cottage industries of silkworm breeding of the 19th century, which have now been repurposed. The village gained worldwide fame in the late 19th century because of the incomparable quality of silk it produced. The first silk seed arrived in the area in 1839, and gradually more and more families began to engage in sericulture, the cultivation and processing of silkworms.
The Silk Museum
The Silk Museum. It is housed in the renovated old Kourtidis Mansion (1883), which presents all the typical architectural features of the urban “mansions” of the area. It consists of two buildings: the old Kourtidis mansion and the two-storey “hooded house”, which are arranged around an inner courtyard. The visitor, now with the help of audiovisual productions, is informed about the multidimensional role of silk but also about Soufli, mainly in relation to the historical-geographical and ecological-environmental context of the city. As you understand, leaving Soufli without buying silk masterpieces from the local shops for you and your friends will be like having missed half the visit here. Do not miss the opportunity to taste and then buy the famous Soufli sausages with the traditional crab being the top. You can also choose local wine and tsipouro in every small tavern and tavern you sit in. Following a gentle hiking route, a few meters from the village of Lefkimi (26 km from Soufli), you will find a beautiful monument of nature. The petrified forest of Lefkimi is 40 cm old. years old, it is of rare beauty and the only one in Europe, whose fossils are scattered in a dense green forest.
Travelogue in Thrace: In beautiful Alexandroupolis
Alexandroupolis. The largest city in the county. Modern and majestic, with the advantage of the sea at its feet and with a youthful pulse. Beautiful cafes, plenty of shops with appetizers, and large pedestrian streets for walks. The strongest feature of Alexandroupolis is the walk on the beach with seagulls as its trademark. The lighthouse in the harbor has been in place since 1850. Three stops not to be missed:
A visit to the cave of the Cyclops in the area of Makri. It is actually a small but beautiful cave.
A stop at Eurothirama, a tavern inside a green farm, to enjoy delicious farmed game. It is located just outside the village of Pentalofo. The farm features lush gardens and a stone-built guest house. All raw materials come exclusively from Evros. The bread is handmade, the frumenty is local, and the undoubted king of the list is wild boar, which is served in various ways: stew, braised meat, cooked in a pot, etc. In winter, with the snow, the landscape here is pure magic.
Visit to Dadia National Park. A phone call to the park is necessary before setting off to let you know what you can do during this period and at what times. For those who do not know, the Dadia – Lefkimi – Soufli Forest National Park is one of the most important protected areas at national, European, and international levels. Many species of flora and fauna of the Balkan peninsula, Europe, and Asia live together and thrive here. Pine and oak forests, interrupted by clearings, pastures, and cultivated areas, compose an environment ideal for birds of prey and dreamy for the visitor.
Thrace is the northernmost and easternmost geographical region of Greece. It is an inexhaustible destination that requires several days to explore its rich secrets and cultural heritage.
Xanthi is known as the 'lady of Thrace' and the 'city of thousands of colors.' It is famous worldwide for its renowned tobacco production and is considered one of the most beautiful Greek cities with well-preserved old town architecture.
Must-see attractions in Xanthi include the tobacco warehouses, the famous Saturday Bazaar, the Path of Life green area, Xanthippe Castle, the Cathedral of God Sophia, the old clock tower built in 1880, and the Panagia Archangeliotissa monastery.
The famous Bazaar of Xanthi usually takes place on Saturdays. It has a history dating back to the Ottoman period and offers fresh produce, spices, clothes, and local items sold by merchants.
The Path of Life is a beautiful green area and natural lung located just steps from the urban center of Xanthi. Visitors can walk through it while the Kosynthos river runs nearby.
According to legend, Queen Xanthippe once lived in the castle and used a secret tunnel to descend to a nearby ravine to swim in the Kosynthos river. The castle can be reached through a two-kilometer route starting from the Samakov bridge.
Visitors should try kebabs, pumpkins with spices, lamb with yufkades, sweet cariokes, soutzuk loukoumi, fresh butter, Turkish delights, nougat, and authentic oriental pastries that reflect Xanthi's multicultural heritage.
Panagia Archangeliotissa is a monastery dating back to 1841, located at an altitude of 160 meters near Xanthi. It is an ideal destination for winter walks and offers a unique natural landscape.
Xanthi's local cuisine reflects the cultural mosaic of Greeks, Turks, Pomaks, Roma, Asian minorities, Armenians, Pontians, and Cappadocians, creating a unique blend of flavors and traditions.
Xanthi is connected to Komotini through the old National Road. This route offers views of the Vistonida lagoon, the port of Porto Lagos, and the chapel of Agios Nikolaos, which is one of Greece's four wooden bridges.
The tobacco warehouses in Xanthi date back to after 1860. The first warehouses had one floor, while those built by the end of the 19th century were larger. The most typical example is the building housing the Foundation of Thracian Art and Tradition.
Before leaving Xanthi, visitors should enjoy a dessert and coffee at the traditional café-patisserie 'Nea Hellas,' which is a recommended stop to experience authentic local hospitality.
