Thasos

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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thasos Thasos] or Thassos (Θάσος) is the northernmost of the Greek islands. It has an area of 398 km<sup>2</sup> its highest peak is Mt. Ipsarion at 1070 m (3510 ft). Thasos is not subject to the ''meltemi'' and has a much more humid climate than other Aegean islands. As a result it is very green and covered with many trees (pine, walnut, sycamores, and chestnut) although fires in 1985 and 89 caused extensive damage to the forests. It is also famous for its vicious and voracious mosquitoes.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thasos Thasos] or Thassos (Θάσος) is the northernmost of the Greek islands. It has an area of 398 km<sup>2</sup> its highest peak is Mt. Ipsarion at 1070 m (3510 ft). Thasos is not subject to the ''meltemi'' and has a much more humid climate than other Aegean islands. As a result it is very green and covered with many trees (pine, walnut, sycamores, and chestnut) although fires in 1985 and 89 caused extensive damage to the forests. It is also famous for its vicious and voracious mosquitoes.
-
According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus Herodotus], Thasos was settled in 1500 BC by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicians Phoenicians] led by [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Cadmus.html Cadmus] and Thássos while seeking Cadmos' sister [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Europa.html Europa] who had been abducted by [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Zeus.html Zeus]. Thássos gave up on the search and established a colony on the island. Later, in 710 BC, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paros Parians], attracted by rich veins of gold also colonized the island. In 490 BC the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Persia Persians] invaded the island and their king Darius ordered that the marble walls of the city be destroyed. Ten years later, on the second Persian expedition against the Greeks, led by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerxes_I_of_Persia Xerxes], the now defenseless city used diplomacy to prevent another disaster and laid out a banquet for the king, who spared them and went on to his defeat in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Salamis Salamis]. Following the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Persian_Wars Persian Wars], Athens prevailed on the Thasians to join the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delian_League Delian League] but they soon revolted. Athens dispatched [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimon Kimon], their famous general, who in 463 BC subdued them after a two year siege. After that, Thasos was ruled by either Athens or Sparta, as the fortunes of these two cities changed in the course of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnesian_War Peloponnesian War]. Eventually, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon Philip the Macedon], father of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great Alexander the Great], conquered the island and appropriated its mainland gold mines. In 197 BC the Romans defeated the Macedonians and Thasos became part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire Roman Empire]. During this period the island prospered trading throughout the Greek world mostly marble and wine. This prosperity continued through the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine] period till the 1300 AD when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Genoa Genoese] dominated the island. They in turn were succeeded by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottomans] in 1460 AD who were followed by the Russians from 1700 to 1770, and the Ottomans again. In 1813 the Sultan gave Thasos to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_of_Egypt Mohamed Ali], the powerful governor of Egypt, who was from near by Kavala and was raised on Thasos in the village of Theologos. He loved Thasos and favored it by low taxes and virtual autonomy. This benevolent rule ended in 1902 when the Turks once again took over the island. At the end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_Wars Balkan Wars], in 1912 Thasos unified with Greece. This union was interrupted briefly in 1916 when the allies (England & France) occupied it and in 1941 when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_powers Axis] ally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_powers#Bulgaria Bulgaria] occupied the island till the end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] when it reverted back to Greece.
+
According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodotus Herodotus], Thasos was settled in 1500 BC by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenicians Phoenicians] led by [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Cadmus.html Cadmus] and Thássos while seeking Cadmos' sister [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Europa.html Europa] who had been abducted by [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Zeus.html Zeus]. Thássos gave up on the search and established a colony on the island. Later, in 710 BC, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paros Parians], attracted by rich veins of gold also colonized the island. In 490 BC the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Persia Persians] invaded the island and their king Darius ordered that the marble walls of the city be destroyed. Ten years later, on the second Persian expedition against the Greeks, led by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerxes_I_of_Persia Xerxes], the now defenseless city used diplomacy to prevent another disaster and laid out a banquet for the king, who spared them and went on to his defeat in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Salamis Salamis]. Following the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Persian_Wars Persian Wars], Athens prevailed on the Thasians to join the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delian_League Delian League] but they soon revolted. Athens dispatched [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimon Kimon], their famous general, who in 463 BC subdued them after a two year siege. After that, Thasos was ruled by either Athens or Sparta, as the fortunes of these two cities changed in the course of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnesian_War Peloponnesian War]. Eventually, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon Philip the Macedon], father of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great Alexander the Great], conquered the island and appropriated its mainland gold mines. In 197 BC the Romans defeated the Macedonians and Thasos became part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire Roman Empire]. During this period the island prospered trading throughout the Greek world mostly marble and wine. This prosperity continued through the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine] period till the 1300 AD when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Genoa Genoese] dominated the island. They in turn were succeeded by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottomans] in 1460 AD who were followed by the Russians from 1700 to 1770, and the Ottomans again. In 1813 the Sultan gave Thasos to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_of_Egypt Mohamed Ali], the powerful governor of Egypt, who was from near by [[Kavala]] and was raised on Thasos in the village of Theologos. He loved Thasos and favored it by low taxes and virtual autonomy. This benevolent rule ended in 1902 when the Turks once again took over the island. At the end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_Wars Balkan Wars], in 1912 Thasos unified with Greece. This union was interrupted briefly in 1916 when the allies (England & France) occupied it and in 1941 when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_powers Axis] ally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_powers#Bulgaria Bulgaria] occupied the island till the end of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] when it reverted back to Greece.
Today Thasos is seasonally occupied by tourists and is booming. It still produces wine and is famous in Greece for its olives and salami.
Today Thasos is seasonally occupied by tourists and is booming. It still produces wine and is famous in Greece for its olives and salami.
Line 29: Line 29:
===Ports and Popular Stops===
===Ports and Popular Stops===
====Limenas====
====Limenas====
 +
[[Image:Thassos_Limenas_h.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Chart of Limenas<br/>''Click for larger view'']]
 +
Limenas (Λιμένας) or Port Thasos or Panayia [40° 47' N 24° 42.5' E] is the main harbor of Thasos. It provides excellent all around shelter. Go stern-to on the SE side, Good holding. If it is too crowded, you can go stern-to the E mole but the rocks cannot get too close to the mole and will have to take long lines with the dinghy. The harbor is pleasant and surrounded by some excellent restaurants.
 +
 +
<font color="red">Caution:</font> The ancient mole extends underwater for approximately 300 m to the NE of the harbor. Stay clear.
 +
[[Image:Thassos_Limenas_hS.jpg|200px|thumb|center|Satellite view of Limenas<br/>''Click for larger view'']]
 +
 +
====Limenaria====
 +
[[Image:Thassos_Limenaria_h.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Chart of Limenaria<br/>''Click for larger view'']]
 +
Limenaria (Λιμενάρια), on the SW corner of the island, is the second yacht harbor in Thasos. While open to the S, it offers good shelter from the N wind. The harbor is rather shallow and it is almost impossible to approach the two small jetties. Anchor off at about 3-4 m. The harbor can be noisy at night. Many restaurants.
===Marinas & Yacht Clubs===
===Marinas & Yacht Clubs===
-
''See each Port/Stop''
+
None.
===Anchorages===
===Anchorages===
-
''See each Port/Stop''
+
====Prinos Bay====
 +
This is an open bay to the N of Cape Prinos. It affords some shelter from the prevailing N winds.
-
===Offshore Islands===
+
====Makriammos====
-
List Islands
+
Open bay at NE corner of Thasos. There is short mole with 2 m depth that provides some shelter from the NE winds.
-
*
+
 
-
*
+
====Skala Potamias====
 +
This is a large bay on the E coast of the island, just S of Cape Pyrgos. Reasonable shelter from the NE winds. Sand bottom.
 +
 
 +
====Aliki====
 +
Aliki, on the SE of the island, provides good shelter from the N winds although it is open to the S. Several coves.
===Routes/Passages To/From===
===Routes/Passages To/From===
Line 45: Line 59:
===Tourism & things to do ashore===
===Tourism & things to do ashore===
-
''Also see each Port/Stop''
+
====In Limenas====
-
*  
+
Limenas is right next to the site of the [http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh351.jsp?obj_id=5428 Town of Ancient Thasos]. This is a large and very rich site with a Roman Agora, marble walls, a Greek Theater, gates, several sanctuaries, an ''Odeon'', and up the hill the Acropolis and the Genoese Castle.
 +
 
 +
Next to the site there is [http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3331 Archaeological Museum of Thasos] (open Saturday and Sunday 8:30-15:00 and Tuesday-Friday 8:00-19:00).
 +
 
 +
<center><gallery  widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="2">
 +
Image:Thasos4.jpg|The Temple of Dionysos<br/>''Click for larger view''
 +
Image:Thasos5.jpg|The Roman Agora<br/>''Click for larger view''
 +
</gallery></center>
 +
 
 +
====Aliki & Thimonia====
 +
[[Image:Thasos2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Temple of Dioscuri at Aliki<br/>''Click for larger view'']]
 +
Overlooking the beach and anchorage of Aliki along the SE shore of the island is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaic_period_in_Greece Archaic] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doric_Order Doric Temple] dedicated to the [http://www.maicar.com/GML/DIOSCURI.html Dioscuri] (The Gemini ''Castor'' and ''Pollux'' the brothers of [http://www.maicar.com/GML/Helen.html Helen]). Near at Thimonia by there is also an ancient settlement and a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Age Hellenistic] tower.
 +
 
 +
====Archangelou Monastery====
 +
This is a small monastery with a handsome slate roof, overlooking the SE shore. The nuns will show you a piece of the "original" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross Holly Cross].
 +
 
 +
<center><gallery  widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="2">
 +
Image:Thasos1.jpg|The SE Coast<br/>''Click for larger view''
 +
Image:Thasos3.jpg|The Archangelou Monastery<br/>''Click for larger view''
 +
</gallery></center>
 +
 
 +
====In Limenaria====
 +
Limenaria, the second largest town in Thasos, used to be a mining town but now it is almost overrun by tourists.
 +
 
 +
The impressive [http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1776 Palataki] (little Palace) dominates the rocky cape where it stands just at the end of Limenaria harbor. It is a two-storied building, rectangular, with two little towers on its narrow facets. As a vivid example of eclectic architecture, it is characterized by a strict geometry and influenced from central European adherents. It was built between 1903 and 1904 to house the administration of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speidel Speidel], the German company which by then was exploiting the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thasos#Mining_history_of_Thasos Thasos mines]. In 1963 though, it stopped and its industrial installations were deserted. Work to support the building so that it can be reused as a cultural center started in 1993.
 +
 
 +
===Fuel, Water, & Electricity===
 +
* Fuel - In both [[#Limenas|Limenas]] and [[#Limenaria|Limenaria]] you must carry with jerry cans from a gas station, the station in [[#Limenaria|Limenaria]] is closer to the harbor
 +
* Water - Is available at the "old harbor" in  [[#Limenas|Limenas]]
 +
* Electricity - N/A
 +
 
 +
===Laundry===
 +
In [[#Limenas|Limenas]].
 +
 
 +
===Grocery & Supply Stores===
 +
* Supermarket in [[#Limenas|Limenas]]
 +
* Mini-market in [[#Limenaria|Limenaria]]
 +
 
 +
===Eateries===
 +
* In [[#Limenas|Limenas]] good food at the ''Platanos'' taverna at the "old harbor"
 +
* In [[#Limenaria|Limenaria]] the ''Limenariotisa'' (on the inner road), serves very good ''mezedes''
 +
 
 +
===Internet/WiFi===
 +
?
 +
 
 +
===Motorbike & Car Rentals===
 +
Available in both [[#Limenas|Limenas]] and [[#Limenaria|Limenaria]].
===Marine Stores & Facilities===
===Marine Stores & Facilities===
-
''See each Port/Stop''
+
None. Only fishing supplies.
 +
 
 +
===Repairs===
 +
N/A.
 +
 
 +
===Transportation===
 +
There are frequent ferry boats from [[#Limenas|Limenas]] to [[Kavala]] and its airport.
===References & Publications===
===References & Publications===
-
Publications, Guides, etc.
+
See [[Greece#References_&_Publications|Greece]].
-
*
+
-
*
+
-
*
+
===Cruiser's Friends===
===Cruiser's Friends===
Line 73: Line 136:
===Personal Notes===
===Personal Notes===
Personal experiences?
Personal experiences?
 +
 +
===Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)===
 +
''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'':
 +
* July 1992 --[[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]] 09:15, 13 June 2008 (MDT)
 +
*

Revision as of 15:15, 13 June 2008

Contents

Thasos

File:ThassosS.jpg
ThassosS
Click for larger view

Background

Thasos or Thassos (Θάσος) is the northernmost of the Greek islands. It has an area of 398 km2 its highest peak is Mt. Ipsarion at 1070 m (3510 ft). Thasos is not subject to the meltemi and has a much more humid climate than other Aegean islands. As a result it is very green and covered with many trees (pine, walnut, sycamores, and chestnut) although fires in 1985 and 89 caused extensive damage to the forests. It is also famous for its vicious and voracious mosquitoes.

According to Herodotus, Thasos was settled in 1500 BC by Phoenicians led by Cadmus and Thássos while seeking Cadmos' sister Europa who had been abducted by Zeus. Thássos gave up on the search and established a colony on the island. Later, in 710 BC, Parians, attracted by rich veins of gold also colonized the island. In 490 BC the Persians invaded the island and their king Darius ordered that the marble walls of the city be destroyed. Ten years later, on the second Persian expedition against the Greeks, led by Xerxes, the now defenseless city used diplomacy to prevent another disaster and laid out a banquet for the king, who spared them and went on to his defeat in Salamis. Following the Persian Wars, Athens prevailed on the Thasians to join the Delian League but they soon revolted. Athens dispatched Kimon, their famous general, who in 463 BC subdued them after a two year siege. After that, Thasos was ruled by either Athens or Sparta, as the fortunes of these two cities changed in the course of the Peloponnesian War. Eventually, Philip the Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, conquered the island and appropriated its mainland gold mines. In 197 BC the Romans defeated the Macedonians and Thasos became part of the Roman Empire. During this period the island prospered trading throughout the Greek world mostly marble and wine. This prosperity continued through the Byzantine period till the 1300 AD when the Genoese dominated the island. They in turn were succeeded by the Ottomans in 1460 AD who were followed by the Russians from 1700 to 1770, and the Ottomans again. In 1813 the Sultan gave Thasos to Mohamed Ali, the powerful governor of Egypt, who was from near by Kavala and was raised on Thasos in the village of Theologos. He loved Thasos and favored it by low taxes and virtual autonomy. This benevolent rule ended in 1902 when the Turks once again took over the island. At the end of the Balkan Wars, in 1912 Thasos unified with Greece. This union was interrupted briefly in 1916 when the allies (England & France) occupied it and in 1941 when the Axis ally Bulgaria occupied the island till the end of the World War II when it reverted back to Greece.

Today Thasos is seasonally occupied by tourists and is booming. It still produces wine and is famous in Greece for its olives and salami.

Charts

BA 1086 Srimonikos kólpos to Edremit körfezi

Imray-Tetra G2 Aegean Sea (North)

NIMA 54360 Thessaloniki to Canakkale Bogazi
NIMA 54363 Akra Akrathos to Dardanelles Greek 32 Thrakiko Sea
Greek 321 Thassos, Alexandroupolis, Samothrake, Imvros

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

  • Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 and tel. +30 5930 22 106
  • Olympia Radio -VHF channels 25 & 85

Approach and Navigation

Approaches to the island of Thasos are straightforward. For more details see individual ports.

Ports and Popular Stops

Limenas

File:Thassos Limenas h.jpg
Chart of Limenas
Click for larger view

Limenas (Λιμένας) or Port Thasos or Panayia [40° 47' N 24° 42.5' E] is the main harbor of Thasos. It provides excellent all around shelter. Go stern-to on the SE side, Good holding. If it is too crowded, you can go stern-to the E mole but the rocks cannot get too close to the mole and will have to take long lines with the dinghy. The harbor is pleasant and surrounded by some excellent restaurants.

Caution: The ancient mole extends underwater for approximately 300 m to the NE of the harbor. Stay clear.

File:Thassos Limenas hS.jpg
Satellite view of Limenas
Click for larger view

Limenaria

File:Thassos Limenaria h.jpg
Chart of Limenaria
Click for larger view

Limenaria (Λιμενάρια), on the SW corner of the island, is the second yacht harbor in Thasos. While open to the S, it offers good shelter from the N wind. The harbor is rather shallow and it is almost impossible to approach the two small jetties. Anchor off at about 3-4 m. The harbor can be noisy at night. Many restaurants.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Prinos Bay

This is an open bay to the N of Cape Prinos. It affords some shelter from the prevailing N winds.

Makriammos

Open bay at NE corner of Thasos. There is short mole with 2 m depth that provides some shelter from the NE winds.

Skala Potamias

This is a large bay on the E coast of the island, just S of Cape Pyrgos. Reasonable shelter from the NE winds. Sand bottom.

Aliki

Aliki, on the SE of the island, provides good shelter from the N winds although it is open to the S. Several coves.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Tourism & things to do ashore

In Limenas

Limenas is right next to the site of the Town of Ancient Thasos. This is a large and very rich site with a Roman Agora, marble walls, a Greek Theater, gates, several sanctuaries, an Odeon, and up the hill the Acropolis and the Genoese Castle.

Next to the site there is Archaeological Museum of Thasos (open Saturday and Sunday 8:30-15:00 and Tuesday-Friday 8:00-19:00).

The Temple of Dionysos
Click for larger view

The Roman Agora
Click for larger view

Aliki & Thimonia

The Temple of Dioscuri at Aliki
Click for larger view

Overlooking the beach and anchorage of Aliki along the SE shore of the island is an Archaic Doric Temple dedicated to the Dioscuri (The Gemini Castor and Pollux the brothers of Helen). Near at Thimonia by there is also an ancient settlement and a Hellenistic tower.

Archangelou Monastery

This is a small monastery with a handsome slate roof, overlooking the SE shore. The nuns will show you a piece of the "original" Holly Cross.

The SE Coast
Click for larger view

The Archangelou Monastery
Click for larger view

In Limenaria

Limenaria, the second largest town in Thasos, used to be a mining town but now it is almost overrun by tourists.

The impressive Palataki (little Palace) dominates the rocky cape where it stands just at the end of Limenaria harbor. It is a two-storied building, rectangular, with two little towers on its narrow facets. As a vivid example of eclectic architecture, it is characterized by a strict geometry and influenced from central European adherents. It was built between 1903 and 1904 to house the administration of Speidel, the German company which by then was exploiting the Thasos mines. In 1963 though, it stopped and its industrial installations were deserted. Work to support the building so that it can be reused as a cultural center started in 1993.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

  • Fuel - In both Limenas and Limenaria you must carry with jerry cans from a gas station, the station in Limenaria is closer to the harbor
  • Water - Is available at the "old harbor" in Limenas
  • Electricity - N/A

Laundry

In Limenas.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Eateries

  • In Limenas good food at the Platanos taverna at the "old harbor"
  • In Limenaria the Limenariotisa (on the inner road), serves very good mezedes

Internet/WiFi

?

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Available in both Limenas and Limenaria.

Marine Stores & Facilities

None. Only fishing supplies.

Repairs

N/A.

Transportation

There are frequent ferry boats from Limenas to Kavala and its airport.

References & Publications

See Greece.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

  • July 1992 --Istioploos 09:15, 13 June 2008 (MDT)


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