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 Ke-ramoti. The population is 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. The 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, colonisers 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 organised, 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 League 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) signalled 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 colonisers 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 (Posi-deion).

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 without interruption from the 8th - 3rd century BC, are preserved, while on the promontory of Evraiokas-tro 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 fortification wall with bastions and gateways: Silenus Gate, Herakles and Dionysos Gate, Zeus and Hera Gate and, a short distance away, the sanctuary of Herakles, Caracalla's Arch — to the north — (3rd century AD) and the Roman odeum. The ancient agora, focus of city life, extended from the naval 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 cfiapel 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 continuous occupation of the area from the arrival of the Parian colonists until Postbyzantine times. There was an 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, patron saint of the island. At Astris there are remains of ancient towers and a 4th century BC potter's workshop. The lovely 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 carved wooden iconostastis, St. Paraskevi), Macedonian-style houses and the now-ruined mansion of the member of the Phi-liki Etaireia, Chatziyorgis.

In the nowadays abandoned village of Kas-tro, 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 Limenas) 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 the crystal clear sea is ideal for swimming and fishing: Limenas, Chrysi Ammoudia, Chrysi Akti, Alyki, Arsanas and Li-vadi, Psili Ammos, Potos, 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. Refuelling stations at Limenas and Potos. One can even enjoy mountaineering and hunting in the island's interior. Thasos has more than adequate facilities for tourists, including hotels, pensions and rooms to let.