Place of interest

Water wildlife

A precious spellbounding asset for the Prefecture of Rodopi that will always attract new tourists are the rich water wildlife sanctuaries. The area has been endowed with a unique natural beauty and the picturesque coast offers views that go beyond imagination.

A combination of the grandiose mountain Ismarou and the coast with sunny beaches, lakes and lagoons is ideal for any type of activity. Vistonida lake and Ismarida lake along with a group of five other lagoons offer the ideal conditions for a rich flora and bird fauna.

Vistonida lake lies in the western part of the Prefecture down the Old National Highway between the Prefecture of Xanthi and that of Rodopi being an extension of the intimacy of Porto Lagos. It is a wide lake basicaly quite shallow which is separated from the sea by a single strip of land.

According to mythology the name descends from the ancient Thracian people of Viston who used to populate the region under the reign of King Diomides. Hercules ( is said to have accomplished here his eighth labour capturing the fierce (man-eating) horses of Diomedes.

The old name of the Lake, "Bourou" comes from the Byzantine city of Poroi, that was discovered by archaeologists South of the Lake.

At the heart of the water wildlife sanctuary, surrounded by the lake, the forest and large meadows, there is a rich bird fauna which offers a unique experience to the ornithologists due to the site of hundreds of birds gathered round the picruresque church of St. Nickolaos, Monastery Property of Vatopedio Monastery, situated in the middle of the sea-lake Porto Lagos. Herous, kormorane, wild pelekanes, chalchochotes, flamingos, dwarf geese, wild swans, are only a few examples of the birds which have their permanent or temporary shelter in this region. In the lake there are fish-pools and its extended region represents an important agricultural and cattle-breeding activity.

The lake Ismarida of Mytricou is the East side of a complex of five sea-lakes (Elos, Ptelea, Alilei, Caratsa, Xirolimni) and the unique shallow lake (with sweet water) of North Greek. The wildlife sanctuary, which has a special ecological importance presents a very opulent flora (shrubby areas of Armirikia, riverain vegetation, elovia, meadows and floating vegetation) and fauna consisting of species of mammals, reptiles, and some species which are in danger of becoming extinct, as well as bird fauna, such as argiociknias, houliaromyta, chalchochota and seagulls. The economical contribution of the lake in this region is remarkable due to the fishing wealth and it contributes to the agriculture and the cattle-breed.

South of Komotini heading towards the New Sidirohori village, the road goes to Ismarida lake. The visitor has the opportunity, passing next to the exceptional water wildlife sanctuary, to observe different species of birds, obviously annoyed by the human presence. The unpaved road continues and leads to the Molivoti peninsula. It is a beautiful sandy beach, proper for summer camping, which, once noticed by the people of Thasos, became the chosen place for them to built the ancient Strimni in the 7th B.C. century. The discoveries of the archaeological spade are exposed at the Archaeological Museum of Komotini. In the region fish cultures function.

From Komotini, following the ancient ethnic road to Xanthi, at about 28 km, the traveller reaches an intersection which is marked by the Sarakatsanoi traditional settlement. From there, the visitor has the opportunity to continue the ethnical road on the sides of the Vistonida and to the church St. Nickolaos or to turn to the left and within a distance of 7 km, he will arrive at the picturesque lake of Fanari with the homonym settlement. Just before the harbour of the Fanari Lake there have been located some traces of the Ancient Dikea, an important maritime town. The extended sandy beaches which spread the settlement has been touristically adjusted with hotels, rooms to let, bungalows and with the camping of EOT placed in a verdant place. Apart from all these, there are cafeterias and taverns for the visitors. The Fanari beach stretches to the Arogi Beach, a region full of .summer houses belonging to the residents of the Prefecture.It is an extended sandy beach whose clean sides are marked by the Blue Banners. There are summer bars all along, where tourists can enjoy themselves.

Along the same itinerary there is the coastal settlement of Mesi, which gives shelter to local and foreign travellers, during the summer.

To the Ismarida Lake

South of Komotini heading towards the New Sidirohori village, the road goes to the Ismarida lake. The visitor has the opportunity, passing next to the exceptional water wildlife sanctuary, to observe different species of birds, obviously annoyed by the human presence. The unpaved road continues and leads to the Molivoti peninsula. It is a beautiful sandy beach, proper for summer camping, which, once noticed by the people of Thasos, became the chosen place for them to built the ancient Strimni in the 7th  B.C. century. The discoveries of the archeological spade are exposed at the Archeological Museum of Komotini. In the region fish cultures

MARONI

An exceptional place in the Rodopi Prefecture is the one that ends at the historical picturesque Maronia 30 km far from Komotini. A little bit before the town of Xilagani (17 km) on the left side one can see some parts of the fortification of the Acropole of Ergani (13th-12th century B.C.). From Xilagani there are two ways to Maronia, both in the unique colours of the surroundings. To South West direction, the road goes to the Imeros village, making a bigger circle. Its beach is sandy with shallow clear water and has at its disposal a touristic pavillion and an area of pine trees right next to the beach. In the little harbour of Imeros or at the pisciculture of the region one can find fresh fish or sea food.

The road continues its course to the coastal settlements of the Profitis Ilias, of Alkiona and of Plataniti, which apart from the very clean beaches of Thracian open sea, are gradually and continuously developing with new hotels and fish taverns, built next to the coast. Before arriving to Profitis Elias, one goes through a little water wildlife sanctuary, which is very rich as far as its flora and fauna are concerned. The swans, the erodioi and many other species of birds offer a veritable magic site to the visitor.

The destination of all this itinerary is Maronia, to which one can arrive very quickly using the briefest road passing through Prokinites village. After Proskinites village on the left side of the road, one will find a cave with rich natural embellishments: stalactites and stalagmites. Tradition attributes this cave to the cyclope Polifimo. The investigation was made by the Greek Speleological Company. This cave can't be visited yet, but it's bound to be soon open to visitors.

Maronia, built on the hillside of Ismaros, is picturesque with its restored houses, with the churches of the 18th century, of Holly Mary and of St. John Prodrome, with traces from all periods of its long-lasting history. The square in the centre of the settlement functions as a balcony, from where someone can see the Olive trees and the thracian open sea. The longevive plane trees of the square and the taverns with the fried lamb constitute the pole of attraction for the summer months.

The town was moved on the hillside in the 16th century due to hazardous pirates' attacks. The ancient coastal city Ismara became colony of the colonists of Chios (7th century B.C.) who renamed it as Maronia after the name of Maronas a priest, who friendly accepted them. In Maronia public edifices, harbours, agora, theatres were built and mosaics and statues were created.

During the period of the Macedonian conquest Alexander the Great passed through this region on his way to Asia. On the way to the harbour the ruins of a habitation settlement of the 3rd century B.C. and an exceptional mosaic floor, rich in forms and colours are really impressing.

In the St. Haralambos harbour, with its modern pier, where the fishermen

and the their fisher boats are protected, there are distinct segments of the wall and monumental portico of Roman times. A very important ornament of Maronia is the ancient theater, which is about to be repaired so that performances of ancient drama can take place there. Ot the west side of the ancient theater there is the temple of Dionisos in which a ceramic God mask of the 4th century B.C. was discovered. Maronia maintains its prosperity during the Byzantine times as well. An Episcopal temple (11th 12th B.C.) has been discovered and a square high tower of a Byzantine fortification has been saved. The archaeological findings in the "Sinaxi" region East of Maronia are very important. On the ruins of the ancient Christian basilica of the 6th century B.C., were located ruins of a monastery of the 9th century.

The surroundings of Maronia are of a special beauty. The feet of the mountain Ismaros stretch down to the sea and change the view, completing the immensity of the thracian coast with beautiful picturesque harbours and stony shores. The region "Kageles", on the west side of the harbour can be used as a place for swimming. The coast forms a white lane of little stones. On the East side of the harbour, the stony coast "Marmaritsa" is ideal for fishing. The vineyards and the olive trees cover a very large area and constitute a precious local treasure. The touristic element of the region is remarkable for the modern amenities and for the marvellous sight to the verdant hillside and to the Thracian Open Sea.