Listed 69 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "XANTHI Prefecture GREECE" .
PRASSINADA (Location) XANTHI
Photo Album in URL, information in Greek only.
AVDIRA (Ancient city) XANTHI
Abdera (ta Abdera, also Abderon or -os; Abdera,-orum, Liv. xlv. 29;
Abdera,-ae, Plin. xxv. 53: Eth. Abderites, Abderites or -ita: Adj. Abderitikos,
Abderiticus, Abderitanus), a town upon the southern coast of Thrace, at some distance
to the E. of the river Nestus. Herodotus, indeed, in one passage (vii. 126), speaks
of the river as flowing through Abdera (6 ho di Habderon rheon Nestos, but cf.
c. 109, kata Abdera). According to mythology, it was founded by Heracles in honour
of his favourite Abderus. (Strab. p. 331.) History, however, mentions Timesius
or Timesias of Clazomenae as its first founder. (Herod. i. 168.) His colony was
unsuccessful, and he was driven out by the Thracians. Its date is fixed by Eusebius,
B.C. 656. In B.C. 541, the inhabitants of Teos, unable to resist Harpagus, who
had been left by Cyrus, after his capture of Sardis, to complete the subjugation
of Ionia, and unwilling to submit to him, took ship and sailed to Thrace, and
there recolonised Abdera. (Herod. l. c.; Scymnus Chius, 665; Strab. p. 644.) Fifty
years afterwards, when Xerxes invaded Greece, Abdera seems to have become a place
of considerable importance, and is mentioned as one of the cities which had the
expensive honour of entertaining the great king on his .march into Greece. (Herod.
vii. 120.) On his flight after the battle of Salamis, Xerxes stopped at Abdera,
and acknowledged the hospitality of its inhabitants by presenting them with a
tiara and scymitar of gold. Thucydides (ii. 97) mentions Abdera as the westernmost
limit of the kingdom of the Odrysae when at its height at the beginning of the
Peloponnesian war. In B.C. 408 Abdera was reduced under the power of Athens by
Thrasybulus, then one of the Athenian generals in that quarter. (Diod. xiii. 72.)
Diodorus speaks of it as being then in a very flourishing state. The first blow
to its prosperity was given in a war in which it was engaged B.C. 376 with the
Triballi, who had at this time become one of the most powerful tribes of Thrace.
After a partial success, the Abderitae were nearly cut to pieces in a second engagement,
but were rescued by Chabrias with an Athenian force. (Diod. xv. 36.) But little
mention of Abdera occurs after this. Pliny speaks of it as being in his time a
free city (iv. 18). In later times it seems to have sunk into a place of small
repute. It is said in the middle ages to have had the name of Polystylus. Dr.
Clarke (Travels, vol. iii. p. 422) mentions his having searched in vain on the
east bank of the Nestus for any traces of Abdera, probably from imagining it to
have stood close to the river. Abdera was the birthplace of several famous persons:
among others, of the philosophers Protagoras, Democritus, and Anaxarchus. In spite
of this, its inhabitants passed into a proverb for dullness and stupidity. (Juv.
x. 50; Martial, x. 25. 4; Cic. ad Att. iv. 1. 6, vii. 7.) Mullets from Abdera
were considered especial dainties (Athen. p. 118). It was also famous for producing
the cuttle-fish (Id. p. 324).
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited September 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
DIKEA (Ancient city) AVDIRA
Dikaia. a Greek port town on the coast of Thrace on lake Bistonis, in the country
of the Bistones. The place appears to have decayed at an early period. Some identify
it with the modern Curnu, and others with Bauron.
TOPIROS (Ancient city) XANTHI
Toperis, (or Topirus Topeiros). A town in the SW. of Thrace, a little
NE. from the mouth of the Nestus, and a short distance W. of Abdera. In the time
of Procopius (B. G. iii. 38) it was the first of the maritime cities of Thrace,
and is described as distant 12 days' journey from Byzantium. Very little is known
about this place. In later times it was called Rhusion (Rhousion, Hierocl. l.
c.; cf. Aposposm. Geo. in Hudson. iv. p. 42; and Anna Comn. p. 212), and was the
seat of a bishopric. (Cone. Chalced.) Justinian rebuilt its walls, which had been
demolished, and made them stronger than before. (Procop. de Aed. iv. 11.) According
to Paul Lucas and Boudoue, the modern Tosbur occupies its site; but Lapie identifies
it with Kara-Giuenzi.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
VISTONIDA LAKE (Lake) XANTHI
Bistonis (Bistonis limne; Lagos Buru), a great Thracian lake in the
country of the Bistones, from whom it derived its name. (Strab. i. p. 59, vii.
p. 333; Ptol. iii. 11. § 7; Scymn. Chius, 673; Plin. iv. 18.) The water of the
lake was brackish (whence it is called limnothalassa), and abounded in fish. (Aristot.
H. A. viii. 15.) The fourth part of its produce is said to have been granted by
the emperor Arcadius to the convent of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. The river Cossinites
emptied itself into the lake Bistonis (Aelian, H. A. xv. 25), which at one time
overflowed the neighbouring country and swept away several Thracians towns. (Strab.
i. p. 59.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
AVDIRA (Ancient city) XANTHI
A town of Thrace, near the mouth of the Nestus, which flowed
through the town. It was colonized by Timesius of Clazomenae about B.C. 656, and
a second time by the inhabitants of Teos in Ionia, who settled there after their
own town had been taken by the Persians, B.C. 544. It was the birthplace of Democritus,
Hecataeus, Protagoras, Anaxarchus, and other distinguished men; but its inhabitants,
notwithstanding, were accounted stupid, and Abderite was a term of reproach.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
DIKEA (Ancient city) AVDIRA
A town in Thrace on Lake Bistonis.
AVDIRA (Small town) XANTHI
Avdera is a large village situated about 25 klm away from the city of Xanthi. It has a rich history, which reduces to the ancient years. Its scenic little harbor , just a few kilometers away from the village, is host to vessels and fishers. The new seaside built-up area of Avdera throbs with life, especially during the summer period. Here you will find lee creeks (Ai-Yannis, Porto-Molo ) to swim in a very clean sea. The area of Avdera is suitable for amusement, sightseeing and study (Here the great philosophers Democritus, Protagoras, Leucippus, etc. were born.). You can visit the Museum , a modern buiding which is host to the findings of the excavations on ancient Avdera, and the folklore Museum (tel. 0541 51259).
This text is cited May 2003 from the Prefecture of Xanthi URL below.
ECHINOS (Small town) XANTHI
Echinos village is the geographic center of the villages of Rodopi
mountain range. Along with village Miki it is also the shopping and agricultural
center of the mountainous area. Having more than 4,000 inhabitants, Echinos is
the biggest of the communities, which form the municipality of Miki. It has three
mosques, a good marketplace and some social services such as schools and a health
station. It is well known for the excellent quality of the produced meat. People
here are very friendly, very hospitable and hard working. Most of them work for
agriculture producing various agricultural products of excellent quality (tobacco,
meat, milk etc).
Being 26 km away from Xanthi, Echinos is a good starting point for
excursions to the nearby villages. In this mountainous area we can find beautiful
wild scenery, streams with very clear water and the marvelous arch bridges, which
date back to the era of Byzantium. After a 15 km drive through Oak Forest we can
reach Thermes, a village divided into three districts. Here, there are baths for
spa therapy with modern facilities.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Prefecture of Xanthi URL below.
LAGOS (Port) XANTHI
Scenic fish-village, situated 26 kilometers away from Xanthi, beside Vistonida Lake . It has a small port that serves for the sea transport of the goods of the area. It is also the seat of a fishing association and the host to many fishing boats, both professional and amateurish. Here you can find beautiful fish taverns with fresh fish. In the Porto Lagos lagoon one can visit the chapels of St Nicholas and Virgin Mary which are built on small islets.
This extract is cited May 2003 from the Prefecture of Xanthi URL below, which contains image.
STAVROUPOLIS (Small town) XANTHI
Stavroupoli, the land of ancient Dions, is situated 20 km Northwest
of the city of Xanthi. It is one of the biggest and most important villages of
Nestos River. To reach Stavroupoli we should cross the villages Kria Vrisi and
Likodromio, which are within thick virgin forest with age-long trees, natural
springs, playground facilities and traditional bakeries. The lovers of nature
and sports have the possibility for kayak, rallies and mountaineering. Of habitat
interest are also the small villages Kalithea, Levaditis, Komnina, the cave of
Livera, Neochori, Kaliva and the area of village Drimia. Here, in Drimia, within
a beautiful forest scenery, you can find the church of St George (Agios Georgios)
and its newly built hospice.
In the area of Stavroupoli, in the community of Komnina, there is
the eco-touristic settlement "Iniohos". Another settlement is also now
being built. Don't miss to visit the Haidou forest and the lodges which lie on.
Mountain refugees:
1. Levaditis Height 1200 m, 50 km.away from Xanthi. It belongs to the Mountaineering Club of Xanthi
2. Kalithea Height 500 m, 25 km away from Xanthi.
3. Haidou Forest Info: Forest Inspection of Xanthi
This extract is cited May 2003 from the Prefecture of Xanthi URL below, which contains images.
TOPIROS (Ancient city) XANTHI
The newly-established Municipality of Topeiros owes its name to a
city which existed on The Egnatia Road, during the Roman Ages, in the same area
in which the Municipality extends today.
Approaching the bridge over the Nestos river, in the area between
the villages of Toxotes and Paradeisos, 14 Km west of Xanthi, you can see the
remains of the ancient city of Topeiros, where monuments of old Christian and
Byzantine ages, mostly parts of Churches and Monasteries, have been revealed and
conserved. It was established in the 1st century A.C. and it was the Bishop' s
See from the 5th to 8th century. Recent clear evidence for the Bishopric of Topeiros
comes from the 1st early Byzantine Ages, specifically from 4th and 5th century.
As a consequence So, Bishop's names are reported in the records of the Third and
Forth Ecumenical Synods.
At the end of the 4th century, Topeiros gained distinction from Traianoupoli's
Metropolitan Bishop, under whose domination remained for at least 900 ages. During
the 2nd century A.C. the city of Topeiros had its own coins (Proof of self rule
and wealth). With the division of the Roman Empire into East and West, the area
of Xanthi with the city Topeiros as capital, belongs to the East Empire and it
is its western boundary. In 549 A.C. during the Justinian Empire the city was
conquered by the Slavs, who totally destroyed it. 2 years later, Justinian rebuilt
it and surrounded it with stronger walls (the remains of these awlls are across
the army camp of Toxotes). The city has historical presence until 812 A.C. when
destroyed by the Bulgarian Tzar "Croumo".
XANTHI (Town) MAKEDONIA EAST & THRACE
Xanthi is a Thracean city, Capital of the Perfecture of Xanthi. It
is built on the foot of the "Rodopi" mountain chain in the beginning of the plain
spreading south to the Thracean Sea, about 20-25 km from the sea.. It is the spiritual
and commercial center of the area, characterized by the coexistence of Christian
and Muslim population. It has a well preserved old-Town with beautiful old buildings
and roads covered by granite stones. The population of Xanthi and the surrounding
communities amounts to 50,000 inhabitants. Since 1975, Xanthi is host to the Polytechnic
School of Democritus University of Thrace.
Xanthi is worldwide known for its famous aromatic tobacco. In the
old times, Xanthi gained prosperity due to the tobacco trade. Today, its progress
is rapid. It has a large industrial area with a sugar factory, tobacco industries,
flour industries, textile industries etc. It has also deposits of precious stones
and Uranium.
In the north side of the city, within beautiful mountainous forest
scenery, there are some very beautiful monasteries, the most famous of them being:
Panagia Archageliotisa, Panagia Kalamiotisa, the monastery of Taxiarches, Profitis
Elias etc. Even higher, you can find the remains of the wall of Xantheppe castle,
which dates back to the Byzantine era. The Queen of Xanthi, Xantheppe, is rather
a legendary person. A gallery starting from the castle ends to the old Town. According
to the myth, Xantheppe was using this gallery to reach the old city, where she
was taking her bath.
The City is mentioned by Stravon (about 63-21 b.C) as Xanthea, while
Ecateus (560-490 b.C) mentions the people of Xanthons. According to an interpretation
the name of the city comes from Xanthos, which was the horse of Diomedes, the
King of the Vistons-Thracians.
Xanthi was the seat of a bishop and later on (in the beginning of
the 14th century) was the seat of a metropolitan bishop. It was fortified and
played a significant role in the history of these violent years. In 1361 Xanthi
was occupied by the Turks. During its occupation, the town preserved its significance,
having a flourish economy, since it was the center of the agricultural area with
the aromatic tobacco. During the Balkan wars it was occupied first by the Bulgarians
(1912) and then by the Greek army (1913). The treaty of Bucharest adjudged it
to Bulgary but it became Greek again after the 1st World War. During the 2nd World
War it was occupied by the German and then by the Bulgarian troops. It was deliberated
in 1944.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Prefecture of Xanthi URL below, which contains image.
VISTONIDA (Municipality) XANTHI
In the following WebPages you can find an interactive map with all the monuments and museums of the Prefecture, with relevant information and photos.
VERGEPOLIS (Ancient city) XANTHI
There are ruins of an ancient city of the classical, hellenistic and roman times, between the villages of Vafeika and Koutso, 10klm. to the S of the city of Xanthi. It is suggested that these ruins belong to the ancient city of Vergepolis, which was built by the inhabitants of Abdera.
AVDIRA (Ancient city) XANTHI
A titular see in the province of Rhodope
on the southern coast of Thrace,
now called Bouloustra. It
was founded about 656 B.C.
A titular see of Macedonia Secunda, suffragan of Philippi.
When Philippi was made a
metropolitan see Polystylum
was one of its suffragans. In 1363 the Greek bishop Peter became Metropolitan
of Christopolis and the see was united to the Archdiocese of Maronia.
Cantacuzenus says that Polystylum
was the ancient Abdera; this statement also occurs in a Byzantine list of names
of cities published by Parthey. This is not absolutely correct. Polystylum is
the modem village of Bouloustra
in the villayet of Salonica,
situated in the interior of the country north of Kara Aghatch where the ruins
of Abdera are found, but it is doubtless because of this approximate identification
that the see of Abdera is placed among the titular sees, although such a residential
see never existed.
S. Petrides, ed.
Transcribed by: Douglas J. Potter
This extract is cited June 2003 from The Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent online edition URL below.
Coastal city situated on Cape Bulustra, about 17 km NE of the estuary
of the river Nestos, birthplace of the philosopher Demokritos and other illustrious
men. The founding of the city, according to ancient tradition, can be traced back
to mythical times since it is related to the eighth labor of Herakles, the capture
of the man-eating horses of King Diomedes of the Bistonians. Another tradition
refers to Timesios of Klazomenai as an inhabitant of the city (656-652 B.C.),
but his colonists were driven back by the Thracians. In 545 B.C., the Ionians
of Teos, unable to suffer Persian domination any longer, settled on the site of
Abdera, which they rebuilt (Hdt. 50.68). The city dominated a large and rich area,
"covered with vineyards and fertile," which it fought hard to wrest
from the Thracians (Pind., Second Hymn).
Abdera was subjugated by the Persians during their period of action
in Thrace and in 492 B.C. It was used as a base of operations (Hdt. 6.46,47; 7.120).
As a member of the First Athenian Alliance, it contributed to the Athenian treasury
the sum of 10 to 15 talents, starting in 454 B.C. This heavy taxation and the
rich silver currency are an indication of the economic prosperity of the city.
In 376 B.C. Abdera was destroyed by the invasion of the Thracian tribe
of the Triballi, who killed all the citizens who took part in the battle (Diod.
Sic. 15.36). A little later, ca. 350 B.C., Philip II of Macedon conquered the
city. About the 3d century B.C. it fell successively to King Lysimachos of Thrace,
to the Seleucids, the Ptolemies, and again to the Macedonians, who dominated it
until 196 B.C., when the Romans declared it a free state. Abdera suffered a second
catastrophe in 170 B.C., when the Roman armies and those of Eumenes II, king of
Pergamon besieged and sacked it (Diod. Sic. 30.6). During Roman Imperial times,
it lost political importance and went into decline. In the 6th c. A.D. a small
Byzantine town, the seat of a bishopric, was established on the NW hill of the
great ancient city.
Large sections of the immense wall, which dated from the archaic period,
were uncovered in the W, N, and E parts of the city. In the W wall a gate with
two towers was uncovered, and to this led a central street of the city, as well
as the road that came from the W harbor. (Under the surface of the sea, stone
plinths and rocks that form a large breakwater have been preserved.) A second
small open harbor appears to have been situated on the sandy shore of the E end
of the city, where a round tower is preserved in the sea. In the N section near
the wall the theater was uncovered. In the W part large clusters of habitations
of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, with a strict N-S orientation, show that
the area was built according to the Hippodamian system of city planning. A mosaic
floor found in the courtyard of a house depicts dolphins, rosettes, and lilies.
The foundations of a large building in the SW section appear to belong to Roman
baths. N of the city stretched a large suburb, and at a distance of 2 to 4 km
N and NW, a group of graves and tombs yielded findings that date from the late
archaic and Classical periods.
The findings of the excavation--which consist mainly of pots, architectural
fragments, corner tiles decorated with reliefs and lettering, sculptures, lamps,
and especially a rich collection of terracotta figurines, the product of a local
workshop of image-makers--are on exhibit in the Museum of Kavala. The agora and
the sacred temples of the city, whose existence is known from ancient sources,
have not yet been uncovered.
D. Lazarides, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains 15 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
STAVROUPOLIS (Small town) XANTHI
A modern market town near the Nestos river, 17 km straight NW of the
modern city of Xanthi. There is no known ancient settlement either in Stavroupolis
or its neighborhood, but 2 km SE of Stavroupolis near the E bank of the Nestos,
a Macedonian tomb was discovered in 1950. This probably belonged to the first
half of the 2d c. B.C.
The tomb, built of marble blocks in a pseudo-isodomic style, has a
total length of ca. 12 m. It consists of a vaulted dromos ca. 5 x 2 m, a prothalamos
chamber 2 x 3 m, and the burial chamber 3 x 3 m. The floor of the prothalamos
and the burial chamber are paved with rectangular marble slabs. The entrance to
the burial chamber is closed by two marble door leaves with some ornamentation.
At the back of the chamber are two marble couches set at an angle to each other,
each having two double pillows. The feet of the beds are decorated with painted
encaustic palmettes, spirals, rosettes, and moldings.
A painted molding 0.20 m wide, made up of Ionic and Lesbian kymatia
runs around the prothalamos and the burial chamber at the level of the springing
of the vault. On the kymatia and on the door leaves the vivid painted decoration
is in encaustic. Although the tomb had been robbed, two gold rings and fragments
of terracotta figurines (now in the Kavala Museum) were found in the excavation.
Three of the figurines are winged adolescent Erotes, with lively movements. The
careful plastic rendering of body and face makes these figurines resemble monumental
sculptures.
D. Lazarides, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
VISTONIDA LAKE (Lake) XANTHI
Tel: +30 25410 96646
Fax: +30 25410 96646
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