… the harmony of diversity…
Xanthi, the Lady of Thrace, is the city of thousand colors, the center of diversity and multiculturalism, an embrace of races, languages and religions. Everything is binding in a beautiful fusion. Proud of its history – with a unique preserved traditional settlement – and contemplating a cosmopolitan future, the city stands for global values and principles of equality, the rights to life and liberty, freedom of thought and equality before the law, without any discrimination or exclusions.
Since old, this was the stomping grounds of Orpheus and Dionysus. Song and dance is in the DNA of the locals. Even during the hardest of times they know how to laugh and dance. Come to see them at their peak during the Old Town Festival or the Carnival.
On the way down towards the sea visit the Monastery of St Nicholas rising between Lake Vistonida and the Thracian Sea. It is a sacred and equally beautiful pilgrimage. Once there, you will feel a calmness taking over your soul. You will want to pitch a tent and enjoy the serenity of the sea, the countless fish and seabirds and far north in the horizon the beautiful Rhodopi mountains.
Avdira: Greeks and foreigners alike know about the birthplace of Democritus, of Protagoras and of many other famous wise men of antiquity, about the spiritual realm of this Thracian corner, once called the Athens of the North, sung by the lyric poet Pindar. Its 2,500-year-long history is mostly still buried in its sacred ground and only a few finds have been unearthed. A visit to the archeological museum of Avdira will be quite convincing.
Now let’s climb the mountains of Rhodopi, the mythical daughter of Thrace, whose name means rosy-colored beautiful maiden. A few more steps will take you to a vast temple of Nature. Everything here is close by, next to you, right by your feet. A walk will give you the opportunity to enjoy a literally unique nature. In less than an hour drive you can visit the mountain shelter in Kallithea (25 km); a little further, at 1,200m, is Livaditis with its waterfalls and many lovely sites.
Apart from its unsurpassed natural beauty, Rhodopi is also famous for the hot springs in Thermes, known since antiquity, and the impressive rock-face Relief of Mithras.