Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-08-01

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Thassos: Discovering the Aegean's emerald isle

[01] Thassos: Discovering the Aegean's emerald isle

The island's sandy beaches, its beautiful villages with stone-built houses coloured by flower yards and its pine-covered slopes make Thassos one of the many small "paradises" found in the Aegean basin.

The landscape on Thassos is unique. Numerous chapels and monasteries stand on rocks overlooking the sea, while numerous villages, Theologos, Potamia, Kazaviti, Maries, Pefkari, Limenaria, Prinos, to name a few, preserve their traditional character.

Thassos was known since antiquity for its white marble quarries and traces of them can be found today across the island.

Visitors can reach Thassos by ferry from the port of Keramoti in the seaport of Kavala.

Archaeological findings prove that the island's capital and port was populated since the Neolithic age. The ancient port of Thassos was built in the 4th century BC, while the ancient agora, dating back to the Hellenistic period, was further developed by the Romans. The 4th century BC temple of Poseidon is an attraction for tourists while the walls of ancient Thassos are equally impressive.

Thassos is known for its olive oil and "throumpes" olives. It is believed that the first olive trees were brought to the island by the Phoenicians some 2,500 years ago and were first planted in the regions of Rachoni and Prinos. The island is also known of its exceptional honey and handmade sweets.

Caption: A view the island of Thassos in the northern Aegean Sea. ANA-MPA/Str

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