Samothraki Island (Greece)

Samothraki Island (aka Samothrace, Samothracia) is a northern Aegean Sea island part of Evros (Thrace, Greece). The island has a total area of 178 km2 (69 mi2) and a population of around 3,000.

Island's main industries are commercial fishing and tourism. As resources, it has granite and basalt deposits. Samothrace's highest elevation point (Mt Fengari) is 1611 m (5285 ft) above sea level. The island has no natural harbour and is too mountainous for agriculture: Samothraki has no commercial airport.

Byzantine Empire (395-1453) ruled Samothrace until 1204 when it was conquered by Repubblica Veneta (Venice, 697-1797) and in 1355 - by the Gattilusi family of Genoa. In 1457, the island became part of the Ottoman Empire (1299-1923) and renamed Semadirek. Following the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) Samothrace became Greek. In the period 1941-44, it was occupied by Bulgaria - during WW2 91939-1945).

Island's main tourist attractions are the Genoese fort's ruins, Chora (village), Paliapoli (Old Town), scenic waterfalls. At the sanctuary Hieron Ton Megalon Theon in 1863 was discovered in pieces a 2,5 m high marble statue of Nike (Greek goddess of victory) which is now known as "Winged Victory of Samothrace" and displayed (headless) in Paris' Louvre museum.

Samothraki Island cruise terminal