An island of the northern Aegean, Samothrace (Samothraki) is located opposite the gulf of Saros. It is mostly mountainous; it is covered by Mt Saros whose peak Fengari (moon) reaches an altitude of 1,600 metres, which is the
highest peak on any island, Crete and Euboea apart. Samothrace has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and fairly cool summers. The smooth coasline forms four capes: Akrotiri, Malathria or Megalo Akrotiri, Angistro, and Kipo.
Samothrace was especially important in antiquity because of the
Cabeirian mysteries held in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. Today, near Paleopoli where the famous Victory of Samothrace (Louvre Museum) was found, one can see the ruins of the Sanctuary, the Tholos of Arsinoe, the Arcade, the Temenos the palace, the theatre, etc. Samothraki or Hora is the capital of the island. It is a charming village in the traditional style built in the island's interior. Small picturesque villages, abundant physical beauty, torests coupled with Mediterranean
vegetation and running water, and the virgin shores, compose a specially impressive landscape that is the "refuge" of many nature lovers.
