Samothrace

 island, extinct volcano

(Nísos Samothráki) - а beautiful and scenic Aegean island, Samothraki is distinguished for its fine golden-sand beaches. The island was originally inhabited around 2000 BC. According to Homer's epics the mountain of Feggari (1600m above sea level) is the location from which god Poseidon observed the battles of the Trojan war. During 1100 BC a large group of settlers from the island of Samos arrived in Samothraki and the island was given its present name by them. The strategic location of the island which actually controls the sea routes between the Aegean and the Black sea as well the sea routes between the northern and southern regions of the Hellenic mainland was the main reason for the island's growth and prosperity over the centuries. The island was a major religious and spiritual center of the then known world during the period of the classic Hellenic history and its history is directly related to the worship of the great ancient gods. This is also signified by the impressive structures and fine works of art that have been discovered from the numerous excavations that have been conducted in the area. The shrine that used to be located in the island was a glorious network of religious compounds, temples and other structures that was visited by numerous people seeking to pay homage to the deities worshipped here. Among the discovered structures lie the ruins of the ancient wall, the holy residence of the high priest, the various temples, the palace, the ancient theater and so many more. This is the area where in 1863 the French consulate Sampouager discovered by mere chance the famous statue of the Niki of Samothraki. The statue was transported in Paris and today is exhibited at the Louver. The statue was originally offered as a tribute to the great gods after a glorious victory against the Syrian army and is a fine almost unique example of the cultural attitude and style of the Hellenistic