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 GEOGRAPHY.
Very
close to Kavala, Thasos is one of the most popular
tourist islands in Greece. Its lovely, green landscape,
clean sea, outstanding beaches and many places of
interest attract a host of visitors. Even so, there
there are still parts of it unspoilt by the throng where
those who wish can enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Thasos is 379 sq. km. in area, has 95 km. of coastline,
lies 16 nautical miles southeast of Kavala and is 3
nautical miles from Keramoti. The population in 13 111.
There are daily car and passenger ferries from Kavala to
both Limenas and Prinos, as well as frequent connections
between Keramoti and Limenas.
The mountainous terrain
(highest peak Psario, 1127 m. a.s.l.) not only
influences its natural vegetation but also the
morphology of its coastline, which is gentle on the west
and north side, on its east shore there are sandy
beaches with trees growing down to the water’s edge,
while in the south there are precipitous cliffs and tiny
coves.
The island is surrounded by several tiny islets,
particularly near its four major bays, Limenas, Potamia,
Koinyra and Potos. In the north is Thasopoula, to the
east Krambousa and the islet of Koinyra and, in the
south, that of Panaghia. This island’s fifteen or so
hamlets and villages, new and old, are located between
the mountains and the coast and most of the more recent
settlements have grown up around the anchorages of the
old.
HISTORY
Finds from excavations demonstrate that Thasos was
inhabited in prehistoric times (3500-2600 BC). In
antiquity it was known as Odonis or Idonis and was
apparently settled by Thracian tribes initially. The
Phoenicians arrived later and, at the beginning of the
7th century BC, colonizers came from Paros. After an
arduous struggle they eventually expelled the Thracians
and were thus able to exploit the island’s rich mineral
resources (gold, marble) unhindered, soon extending
their influence to the littoral of the mainland. By the
6th century BC Thasos was at its zenith – economic and
cultural – and in about 525 BC it minted its own silver
coin which enjoyed a wide circulation up until the end
of the Persian Wars. It was at this time that the city
was fortified and the island’s system of defensive
towers organized, traces of which still survive. During
the 5th century BC Thasos lost its independent status,
being subject in succession to the Persians, Athenians
and Spartans. In 477 BC it became a member of the
Athenian Leauge and in around 340 BC belonged to the
Macedonians. It was conquered by the Romans in 168 BC.
Pirates were a constant menace throughout the Byzantine
era and in 1204 Thasos was captured by the Franks who
held it until 1259, when it was retaken by the
Byzantines. This was a troubled phase in its history
with countless incursions by pirates and alien
occupations, the last one by the Gatelouzoi, to whom it
was ceded in 1416. The Turkish conquest (1457) signaled
a period of decline and between 1770-1774 there was a
brief period of Russian domination. Thasos played an
active role in the 1821 Struggle for Independence though
was not liberated until 1912 and incorporated in the
Greek state the following year.
SIGHTS-MONUMENTS
 Thasos (Limenas), the island’s
capital, is built on the same site as the ancient city
founded by Parian colonizers in the 7th century BC.
Excavations conducted by the French Archaeological
School have revealed several buildings, many of which
are quite well-preserved. The Dionysion (Archaic period)
was located overlooking the present harbour, which
served as a naval station in ancient times, while above
the commercial harbour stood the sanctuary of Poseidon (Posideion).
The sea wall with its two gates is still preserved, as
well as the ancient theatre, near one of the gates.
Originally built in the 5th century BC, it acquired its
present aspect in Roman times. Remnants of one of the
quarters (North Quarter), inhabited withouth
interruption from the 8th – 3rd century BC, are
preserved, while on the promontory of Evraiokastro there
are traces of an Archaic sanctuary (6th century BC). An
Early Christian basilica was evidently constructed on
the same site (6th century). On the eminence occupied by
the ancient acropolis, southeast of the theatre, is the
medieval citadel which was repaired and altered by the
Byzantines, Venetians and Genoese in turn. At the base
of the hill is the best-preserved section of the hill is
the best-preserved section of the fortification wall
with bastions and gateways: Silenus Gate, Herakles and
Dionysos Gate, Zeuz and Hera Gate and, a short distance
away, the sanctuary of Herakles, Caracalla’s Arch – to
the north – (3rd century AD) and the Roman odium. The
ancient agora, focus of city life, extended from the
navel harbour to the foot of the acropolis and was
surrounded by sanctuaries. West of the main square of
the agora are the remains of a 6th century Early
Christian basilica. Finds from these excavations,
representative of all forms of ancient Greek art and
dating from the Archaic period (7th century BC) up until
the 4th century AD, are exhibited in the Archaeological
Museum at Limenas. The town is a convenient departure
point for trips to the rest of the island, since the
metalled road circumventing it commences here. On the
east side is the village of Panaghia (7 km. from Limenas).
Its port, Skala Panaghias (Chrysi Ammos) is one of the
beauty spots of Thasos. 2 km. south of Panaghia is the
village of Potamia with its church of St. Demetrius
(1845). At Skala Potamias (its port), site of the
ancient city of Ainyra, there is a shipwright’s yard
belonging to a monastery (1892), the chapel of St.
Nicholas and, on the islet of Krambousa at the entrance
to the bay, a defensive tower. At Palaiochori (11 km.)
south of Potamia, galleries of an ancient gold mine are
preserved. The region of Koinyra, extending southwards,
has a richly wooded coastline. In ancient times there
was a flourishing settlement here which survived into
the Byzantine era. Remnants of Byzantine baths have been
located at Loutra, as well as the remains of an Early
Christian basilica. Beyond Loutra are the villages of
the south side of the island. At Alyki there are
vestiges of an ancient sanctuary (two temples and two
cult caves( and two Early Christian basilicae built on
the site of the Roman cemetery, attesting the continuos
occupation of the area from the arrival of the Parian
colonists until Postbyzantine times. There was and
important quarry here, in use from the 6th century BC
till the 6th century AD. Just beyond Alyki is Thymonia,
where there are ruins of a Byzantine basilica and two
Hellenistic towers. Perched atop the sheer cliffs which
plunge into the sea is the monastery of the Archangel
Michael, pastron saint of the island. At Astris there
are remains of ancient towers and a 4th century BC
potter’s workshop. The loverly cove of Psili Ammos,
close at hand, as well as the beaches in the bays of
Potos and Limenaria.
Theologos (55 km. southwest of Limenas) is also one of
the prettiest villages on Thasos with its old houses,
ruined medieval tower and Postbyzantine churches (St.
Demetrius, with its intricately caved wooden
iconostastis, St. Paraskevi), Macedonian-style houses
and the now-ruined mansion of the member of the Philiki
Etaireia, Chatziyorgis.
In the nowadays abandoned village of Kastro, the oldest
on the island, there are traces of the Byzantine
fortress, churches and mansions. A short distance away
is Limenaria, one of the seaside tourist villages, and
the headland of Kefala which divides the west from the
north side of the island, which is tranquil and verdant.
The harbours (Skales) of the mountain villages of
Kallirachi, Maries, Sotiras are here. Further north (20
km. southwest of Limensas) is (Neos) Prinos which has
recently gained fame due to the discovery of underwater
oil sources in the vicinity. It is the port of the
typical mountain villages of Mikros and Megalos Prinos.
The shores of Thasos are particularly lovely, with the
pine trees growing down to the water’s edge, and crystal
clear sea is ideal for swimming and fishing: Limenas,
Chrysi Ammoudia, Chrysi Akti, Alyki, Arsanas and Livadi,
Psili Ammos, Patos, Limenaria and Prinos. All beaches
can be reached by public transport or private car and
those with a boat may also visit the nearby islands.
Refueling stations at Limenas and Potos. One can even
enjoy mountaineering and hunting in the island’s
interior. Thasos has more then adequate facilities for
tourists, including hotels, pensions and rooms to let.
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