Day 3 – Xanthi Prefacture

Our morning started early and we drove to the coastal town of Abdera, an Ancient city founded in the 7th Century BC by Ionians. We went to the Archaeological Museum of Abdera which houses a range of artefacts (coins, vases, jewellery, figurines) and were all impressed by the recreated burial sites there. As part of this experience we stopped by the archaeological excavation of the ancient city itself – whilst it was wet and windy, it was a great privilege.

Our guides (and indeed new friends), Ignatius and Antonis were able to take us then to another temple which was controversial in that it was worshiped in by Muslims and Christians. There was a copy of the Koran and an icon of St George sitting in adjacent rooms. Our journey continued into the mountains by the Nestos Narrows (North-West of Xanthi) and we visited a famous Macedonian tomb and the village of Stavroupoli. The tomb was an awe-inspiring visit as it had remained sealed between 200BC-1900AD! It was burgled at first but is now in safe care. We were told after lunch that our generous meal was being paid for by the local Mayor even though he could not be there himself.