Samothrace in ancient times was the island home of the mystery cult of The Great Gods, whose initiation rites promised divine protection at sea. The identity and nature of the Samothracian Great Gods remain enigmatic. Ancient writers often referred to them as the Kabeiri. The power of the Kabeiri throughout the ancient world ensured Samothraki an independent existence through the Greek struggles until late into the Roman period.
As they had a soft spot for sailors it seemed only prudent to pay the site a visit.
The ruins of the ancient temple city lie on a rocky ridge amongst wild olives and maquis. I can honestly say it was the best site I have visted even better than the Acropolis for me.
I had the place to myself and you could imagine just what it must have been like, it was fantastic.
The entrance & dining hall
The Stoa
The rotunda of Arsinoe & the Hall of Choral dancers and an impression of what it would have been like in the last picture
The site of the Sacred Stone
The afternoon I visited Profit Illios, a village high up in the hills with a view to going back there that night to a taverna that got a good write up. However there were road works and & a diversion that going back through in the dark might have proved a wee bit risky, even for the “Barry Sheene” in me. I’m now no longer in my 20’s with a Kawasaki 900.
So unfortunately Louise had to make do with pictures I took at it when I stopped for a coffee.
Profit Illios
Oh wow, looks amazing x
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