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Thrace
(Thraki) occupies the north-eastern corner of Greece. It borders
Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the east and has southern shores
on the Thracian sea.
Thrace
is today considered a place where East meets West in perfect harmony,
as it is the connecting link between Asia and Europe. It is a special
place with a very rich history, and it has been relatively untouched
by the tourism explosion. |
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Neolithic
finds, antiquities dating from the Hellenistic era and Roman and Byzantine
monuments can be found everywhere in Thrace. To the north it meets
the Rodopi mountain range, whose foothills become fertile plains to
the south. |
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The climate
ranges from continental to mediterranean with lots of rain and snow.
Vast plains, such as those of Xanthi and Komotini, fertile valleys,
such as the Evros Valley, great rivers, rich vegetation and large
forests mark the region. The lakes and wetlands of Thrace are among
the most important in Europe with perhaps more than three hundred
protected species of birds. More than 200,000 wild water birds spend
the winter here. The flora has drawn the attention of ecologists.
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Entering
Thrace from Kavala, the visitor encounters scenic Xanthi, the
capital of the same name. It is built on the location of ancient Xantheia
and is justly proud of the many old houses and mansions which are
prime examples of local architecture. A Byzantine castle dominates
its surroundings from the top of a nearby hill to the north of town.
Picturesque monasteries lurk among the pine-wooded hills. |
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Porto
Lagos,
an attractive fishing village is nearby, as are Avdira, Mesimvria
and Maronia. Further to the north-east, is scenic Komotini, capital
of the district of Rodopi. The forts of the area, which date from
pre-Christian times to the Byzantine era, are of special interest.
Finds from all of the archaeological sites in Thrace are displayed
in the Komotini Museum. |
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Alexandroupoli,
the capital of the district of Evros is a seaside town well known
for its fine sandy beaches. A pretty town with well laid out streets
and neo-classical buildings. To the north-east of Alexandroupoli is
Feres with its especially important Byzantine cathedral of Theotokos
tis Kosmosotiras. Along the Greco-Turkish border to the north is Soufli,
famous for its silk production and even further north are Didimotiho
and Orestiada. The first is a splendid Byzantine city and second is
a small town built in a fertile area. |
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A journey
will take you through planted fields flanked by wooded mountains and
the deep blue sea. Other routes pass through cities, villages and
landscapes possessing a rare Greek beauty. The same roads lead the
visitor through nature, history and tradition to the easternmost point
of Greece, wonderful Thrace. |
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