Xanthi Prefecture Sightseeing

Here is a catalogue of places worth seeing. Of course it's impossible to visit all in the course of a single visit to the Prefecture. Whichever season visited, one must be prepared to spend at least 10 days to just scrub the surface of what is there to experience.

1.  The Old City Quarter of Xanthi

2.  The City of Xanthi Cultural Museum: In the Old City Quarter, Antika St., just before Mitropoleos Sq.

3.  The Municipal Library: Even if one is not interested in borrowing books, a visit is a must because the Library is housed in a 19th century Mansion, a fine example of Epirus/West Macedonian architecture, made by Epirot master builders.  (For more details please visit our Kastoria Mansions Text and Album pages).

4.  The Natural History Museum: Doiranis St.: Created by the Forest Inspection Authority, with exhibits of the Flora and Fauna of the Prefecture.

5. Nestos Delta, Tembi, Petrino Monopati: The Nestos River Straits, 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) west of the city of Xanthi; starting at Galani Village, follow a course of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) through a uniquely picturesque itinerary.  There are special paths for walking fans to follow.  If you are not one of them, you could buy a train ticket to Stavroupolis, that follows the same route, and enjoy it comfortably seated in the train compartment.

6.  Vistonida Lake: It is one of the biggest lakes in Greece spreading to a total surface area of approximately 11000 acres, with a rich fish biotope and refuge for thousands of winged visitors.  The extent, diversity and wealth of the hydro-biotope have included Vistonida Lake and the Nestos Delta in the EU Special Protection Areas for Bird Life and the Natura 2000 network.

7. The Aghios Nikolaos Monastery, built on an islet (Bourou) in the Lake’s center and connected to the shore by a wooden bridge.  A small guest room is available.  A small museum on the spot exhibits finds from ancient Abdera and the lake.

8.  Porto Lagos with its picturesque small port.

9. The picturesque villages on the mountain range to the north of the Prefecture, some 40 of them.  The nearest one, Gorgona Village, is at a distance of 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Xanthi City.  The ones not to be missed are Echinos, Myke, Kentavros, Smynthe, Oreo, Thermes, Kotyle, and more.  All the villages are in an extremely beautiful natural surrounding.  Picturesque houses, old mansions, and the warm welcome of the village people will make a strong and long-lasting impression on you.

10.  The Livadites waterfalls.

11.  The Archaeological Museum in Abdera: the ruins of ancient Abdera, home city to Aristotle, are by the sea, 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) to the south of the modern settlement.  Since 1952, when systematic excavations began, many parts of the ancient town have been unearthed: among them, the poros limestone fortification of the town and the Gate to the town.  Impressive ruins of the ancient baths and a still functioning open-air theater to the north of the town will draw the visitor’s attention.  The acropolis used to be by the sea and the houses of the town to the west of the archaeological site.  Cemeteries were located outside the walled perimeter of the town.

Once here, it would be a pity not to visit the Abdera Cultural Museum, housed in a renovated ex-Primary School, a two-storied building (1860) made of stone.  Farming tools, old household items and small furniture are exhibited on the first floor.  On the second floor are magnificent traditional costumes, hand-woven carpets, embroideries and ornamental items, all donated to the Museum by the local people.

12.  The ruins of an ancient Classical, Hellenistic and Roman city, probably Verghepolis, built by the people of  Abdera.  The site is between Vafeika and Koutso villages, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Xanthi City.

13.  The Monastery of Panayias Kalamous, (Our Lady Kalamous) north of Xanthi City, built on a rock dominating the Kossynthos Gorge.

14. The Monastery of Panayias Archangeliotissas, very near the Old City Quarter of Xanthi, to the northeast of it, at the foot of Rhodope Mountain Range.

15.  The Monastery of Taxiarchon, to the northwestern side of Xanthi, just under the Byzantine acropolis of the city, built in a pine tree and acacia forest.

16.  The Xanthippe Castle and walls:  It is the castle above the city of Xanthi.  From inside the castle there is an underground tunnel all the way to the center of the city.  It was this way that the legendary queen of Xanthi, Xanthippe, used to come down to the city to have her bath.

17.  The Haidous Forest (or Drymos): one of the most precious ecosystems in Europe.  From the peaks of Mt. Rhodope, weather permitting, one can distinguish numerous peaks of the surrounding mountains and islands: Samothrace and Thassos, Mt. Athos, Mt. Falakro, Mt. Paggeon, and the Bulgarian Mt. Pamborovo, Mt. Pirin, among others.

18.  The Kalyva Castle, built probably by order of Philip II around 340 B.C.

19.  The city of Anastassioupolis, north of Vistonida Lake, built by order of Byzantine Emperor Anastassios I (end of 5th century A.D):  It is walled, and parts of the fortification are still preserved.  It also has a water supply reservoir and aqueduct, built in the years of the Emperors Palaeologi (14th-15th centuries), with their monograms incised.

20.  The Old Railway Station at Livera:  The abandoned Livera station is now used by the Nestos Touring Club as a guesthouse, with accommodation for 16 people.  Livera town itself is abandoned, and its cobbled streets are only crossed by packs of wild horses.

21.  The  Kato Kariofito Village, declared a landmark, with very nice mansions and old houses in a forest on the mountain, 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) northwest of  the City of Xanthi.

22.  The church of Aghios Georgios Drimias, 55 kilometers (34 miles) northwest of  the City of Xanthi, on the way to Paranesti Village.  The cranium and other holy relics of St. George (Aghios Georgios) are there for pilgrims to bow to.  This Saint is worshiped as having created a lot of miracles.  The church is built in an idyllic environment in the woodland, with a grand view.  There is also a guestroom to overnight.

23.  The church of Panayia Evangelistria in Stavroupolis, 29 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of  the City of Xanthi, with old icons, holy relics and intricately carved woodwork.

24.  The Cultural Museum in Stavroupolis, with collections of old household items, agricultural implements, tools of old craftsmen and artisans, weapons, musical instruments, etc. (Call 25410226 for more information)

25.  A Macedonian tomb (2nd century B.C.): one of the biggest and most impressive in northeastern Greece, on the way to Komnina Village.

26.  The telematic network “Ichnilatis” at Komnina Village: a system of cameras along the Nestos River Straits, in the service of the best possible display and protection of the Nestos Forest (Landmark of Nature) and the whole of the Nestos River Straits.

27.  The ruins of the ancient city of  Topeiros, between the villages of Toxotes and Paradisos, 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) west of the City of Xanthi.  It was settled in the 1st century A.D. and was a Diocese from the 5th to the 8th centuries.  Today, in ancient Topeiros, there are parts of the ancient walls related to the Roman and Byzantine years, remnants of Early Christian buildings, and the ruins of a recently excavated Byzantine church.

28.  The excavation site of a Byzantine small city just outside Porto Lagos: Remains of 170 meters of Fortification Walls with quadrilateral towers and ruins of a Byzantine church.