Thasos
From CruisersWiki
Thasos
| |
| |
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.
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
- 54363 Akra Akrathos to Dardanelles
- Greek
- 32 Thrakiko Sea
- 321 Thassos, Alexandroupolis, Samothrake, Imvros
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Islands
None.
Communication
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 and tel. +30 5930 22 106
- Olympia Radio -VHF channels 25 & 85
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Approaches to the island of Thasos are straightforward. For more details see individual ports.
Berthing
Ports
Neo Limani
Limenas
Limenasor Port Thasos or Panayia 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.Limenaria
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Prinos Bay
Makriammos
Skala Potamias
Aliki
Amenities
Also see each port.
Facilities | |
---|---|
Water | Limenas: is available at the "old harbor" |
Electricity | N/A (Not Available) |
Toilets | N/A |
Showers | N/A |
Laundry | In Limenas |
Garbage | There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages |
Supplies | |
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 |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | None. Only fishing supplies |
Services | |
Repairs | N/A |
Internet | In Internet cafés |
Mobile connectivity | 4G is correct on Marina Limenas Thassos quay |
Vehicle rentals | Available in both Limenas and Limenaria |
Provisioning
Eating out
- Platanos [[Thasos#Platanos|Platanos]] this taverna at the "old harbor has good food.
- Tavernaki [[Thasos#Tavernaki|Tavernaki]] Good food - especially local fish - and friendly. Surrounded by pittoresque 1950 pictures of the old harbour.
- Limenariotisa [[Thasos#Limenariotisa|Limenariotisa]] (on the inner road), serves very good mezedes.
Transportation
There are frequent ferry boats from Limenas to Kavala and its airport.
Tourism
History
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.
Places to Visit
The Temple of Dionysos |
The Roman Agora |
The Temple of Dioscuri at Aliki |
The SE Coast |
The Archangelou Monastery/small> |
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).
Aliki & Thimonia
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.
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.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Thasos (Wikipedia)
References
See Greece.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Thasos and this page's details validated:
- July 1992 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
- July2008 -- Athene of Lymington
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
|
---|
Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Athene of Lymington |