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One of the islands of the North Eastern Aegean Sea, Thassos island impresses visitors with the cozy crystal beaches.
Greece » Eastern Aegean

Why Visit
Many other coves can be found around the island to suit all preferences. Apart from gorgeous beaches, the island also has traditional villages in the mountainsides, with grey roofs, stone houses and paved paths.

Trekking paths depart from these villages and lead to castle ruins, hill tops and caves. The most interesting sightseeings are the Ancient Agora above Limenas and the Monastery of Archangel Michael with the magnificent view to the Aegean Sea. Our guide of Thassos offers all useful information about vacations to this Greek island.

History
Ancient times
According to an ancient myth, Thassos was the island of the Sirens, the devilish women with a fish tail. It is said that they had such a beautiful voice that every men who heard them sing, fell under their spell. The sirens would afterwards devour the enchanted one. In the famous Wanderings of Ulysses (Odysseus in Greek), the sirens who tried to enchant him are supposed to be living in Thassos. Yet, another myth connects Thassos to a young man who arrived on the island in search of his sister, Europa, who had been stolen by Zeus.

Archaeological findings show that the history of Thassos started in the prehistoric times. The first known settlers of the island were Thracian tribes. Around the 7th century BC, the island was colonized by Greeks from Paros, who discovered that Thassos was rich in minerals, especially gold and marble, and covered with forests. Trading became their main source of income and from Thassos, they established settlements in Thrace. The state of Thassos became really powerful around the 5th century BC. In 477 BC, the island became part of the Delian League, which was controlled by Athens.

The inhabitants of the island revolted in 465 BC but their revolt was stopped by the Athenians who destroyed their ships and the walls of the city. In 404 BC, the Spartans occupied the island.In 393 BC, the Athenians conquered the island again, but this time bringing democracy and giving Thassos its independence. Around 340, Philip II of Macedonia took control of the island, seizing its mines: Thassos become part of the Macedonian Empire. In 197 BC the Romans took possession of the island, rebuilding the old town and the ancient theatre; the ships of the island started the trading again.

Byzantine and Ottoman period
During the 1st century AD, the Apostle Paul came on the island, bringing the Christian Faith and building churches on the ruins of the ancient temple. Around 565, Thassos was taken by the Arabs but quickly liberated by Heraclites. During the 7th century, the island, like all the Greek islands, became the prey of numerous pirate attacks and was often attacked by Slavic pirates. Around 900 Thassos came under the control of the Saracens who were defeated, almost 70 years after, by Nicephorus Phocas.

In 1161 AD, a French count pillaged and destroyed the island, killing some and turning others into slaves. After the division of the Roman Empire, Thassos became a part of Byzantium. During the 14th century the island came under the rule of the Genoese, who reinforced the Byzantine castle and contributed to the fortification of the island. The Turks seized the island at the end of the 15th century. During the 18th century, the population of Thassos decreased because of the immigration caused by the heavy taxes imposed by the Turks. During the 19th century, the island was governed by an Ottoman Egyptian, who allowed the islanders to govern themselves and made them in paying taxes.

Recent years
Thassos was liberated and reunited with the rest of Greece in 1912, after many attempts. In 1922, some refugees from Asia Minor settled at Limenas and Limenaria. Like the neighbouring Samothraki, Thassos was occupied by Bulgaria in World War II. Since 1960, tourism has became a main source of income for the islanders. Around 1960, oil was found in the sea around the island. Some oil derricks are still visible at various locations in the sea surrounding Thassos. The history of Thassos emerges from the depths of the ages and reaches the moern times.

Museums - Archeological
Thassos has a long and important history as can be seen in the several museums of the island. Interesting findings from the ancient city of Thassos are on display in the Archaeological Museum of Thassos. The permanent exhibition consists of many sculptures, ceramic vessels and architectural parts.

Visitors should definitely see the Folklore Museum of Thassos, the only place that depicts in true detail the traditional aspect of Thassos. It is housed in Limenaria, in the beautiful mansion of Hatzigiorgis hosting agricultural machinery and many items of local art.

In Potamia, the birthplace of the famous sculptor Polygnotos Vagis lies the homonymous museum dedicated to the life and work of the artist. The collection includes of beautiful abstract works and other pieces from his personal portfolio.

Beaches
Golden Beach, Makriamos, Paradise Beach, Limenaria beach, Alyki, Potos, Skala Potamias, Skala Rachoni, Skala Prinos, Skala Kalirachi, Astris, Skala Maries, Beach next to Alyki, Glykadi, Hara, Kalamaki, Kamari, Koinyra, Livadi, Metalia, Nisteri, Palio Limani, Papalimani, Pefkari, Pefkari beach B, Psili Ammos, Rossogremos, Stelakis, Thymonias, Trypiti, Aspas, Klisma, Skala Sotiros

Religious Monasteries and Churches
During the early Byzantine period in Thasos beautiful churches and monasteries were built, some of them were destroyed and invaded by the Turks while other survive to this day. Among them, the most famous lie in Limenas, the island's capital. Among the oldest and most intresting churches in Thasos is the church of Agia Paraskevi lying in the village of Theologos, right in front of the beach. The church is home to a beautiful icon of the Virgin made of wax.

On the way to Alyki village you will come across the active monastery of Archangel Micheal. It is the largest monastery of the island and houses valuable icons and other ecclesiastical objects. It is worth visiting for its breathtaking location, perched at the edge of a cliff. The Monastery of Agios Haralambos is built on the mountain slopes, around a beautiful pine tree forest, on the way to Chrisi Ammoudia with two windows and a small entrance. There is a big festival on February 10th every year.