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Welcome to Thassos in the North Aegean group of Greek Islands. Thassos, often spelt Thasos, in the North Aegean group of islands, is celebrated for its easily accessible archeological sites and glorious beaches. The island also offers camp sites ........ a facility not found on all the islands. The island's history reaches back to the Stone-Age. In ancient times a thriving industry, mining gold and exporting marble, timber, gold, ore and wine, enabled Thasos to flourish, building a strong navy and supporting the arts and culture. In the 5th century BC Thasos was allied with Athens but the alliance crumbled when Athens tried to interfere in the island's trade with Egypt and Asia Minor. Athens prevailed and the defeated Thasos endured heavy taxes which crippled the economy. The island's ecnomic decline continued under subsequent rulers until, by the 18century under Turkish rule, so many islanders were leaving that the population dropped by just over 30% Changing political fortunes saw Thasos, along with the other islands in the group, brought back into Greek hands in 1912. Limenas (also known, variously and confusingly, as Thassos Town and Limin) is the capital town and port on Thasos. The town is built on the site of the original city, the ruins of which are frequently encountered as you wander about. The archaeological museum is down near the harbour and next to the ancient agora, which was the old market-place as late as Roman Times. Visitors can wander round the foundations of the ancient porticoes, shops and homes. Also nearby is the site of the ancient theatre and, from here, a track leads up the hillside to the acropolis. Here the ruins of the medieval fortress, built on the ancient city walls, can still be seen. Beaches along the eastern coast are long and sandy and include the Golden Beach and the paradise Beach. Set back from the beaches are the attractive hillside villages of Panagia and Potamia. Along the western coast of the island the beaches are of pebbles rather than sand. Along this coast can be found a string of villages with the suffix 'Skala' before their names. Each of these coastal villages is linked to an inland village of the same name but without the suffix, 'Skala'. A campsite can be found at Skala Rahoniou. Just along the coast is Thassos' second most important port, Skala Prinou, which can be crowded and busy at times. The mountain village of Theologos is inland from Potos and was the island's capital in medieval and Turkish times. Thought by many to be the island's most beautiful village it can be reached by public transport. The island can be reached by ferry and hydrofoil from mainland Kavala. Once on the island there are buses which circle the island several times a day (a full circuit takes only 2 hours). The bus service is centred on Limenas. Cars, motorbikes and bikes are all available for hire. Boat excursions can also be found to take the visitor around the coast. |