HOME

ABOUT

REGISTRATION

ALEXANDROUPOLI

HOW TO GET HERE

UNIVERSITY

SPONSORS

THE TEAM

The city of Alexandroupolis

Alexandroupoli is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit in East Macedonia and Thrace. It is a modern city, close to the Turkish border, and on Greek terms, short on history. It isn’t known as a tourist town, more a place to stop when on the way to the Northern Aegean Islands and Turkey, but this does not discount it as a place to visit. Alexandroupolis is a wonderful spot to use as a base when discovering Thrace and Northern Greece.

Alexandroupoli is one of the newest cities in Greece, as it was only a fishing village until the late 19th century. In 1920, the King of Greece, Alexander I, visited the city, and the local authorities decided to rename the city Alexandroupoli ("city of Alexander"), in the Greek King's honour. The request was duly approved by the central Greek government, and Alexandroupoli has been the city's name ever since.

However, the modern city is located at the site of ancient Sale, a Greek city of the classical era founded by colonists from the island of Samothrace that is mentioned by Herodotus and it is now a thriving city, popular with the people of Northern Greece. As a tourist destination in summer, it caters for all. The Ecclesiastical Art Museum is one of the best of its type in the world.

It is also an important port and commercial center of northeastern Greece. This port is the nearest to the island of Samothrace (Samothraki) a small, but very important island. In ancient times, the Anatolians from the north, and settlers from Lesbos from the south, settled the island, mixing their cultures and religions. The Sanctuary of the Great Gods is listed by the United Nations on the World Heritage List. The Winged Venus (Nike) of Samothrace, currently on display in the Louvre is one of the most famous statues on the world.

Alexandroupoli benefits from its position at the centre of land and sea routes connecting Greece with Turkey. Landmarks in Alexandroupoli include the city's lighthouse in the port, the archaeological sites of Mesimvria Zone and Maroneia stretching out to the small port of Agios Charalambos, the city's waterfront (center of commercial activity) and the nearby Evros Delta.

For more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandroupoli