Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Anatolia saw the territory change hands frequently. A mess of treaties and tragedies res-
ulted in its final tripartite division.
Along with the Greeks of Constantinople/İstanbul and Imvros (Gökçeada) and Tene-
dos (Bozcaada) islands, the Turks of Greek Thrace were exempt during the 1923 popula-
tion exchanges. But while İstanbul's Greek population was largely expelled after a 1955
pogrom, the Turks of Greek Thrace remain.
TOP OF CHAPTER
XanthiΞάνθη
POP 63,083
Atmospheric Xanthi is famous for its old quarter, where traditional Ottoman houses
cluster on steep, winding streets. Once wealthy from tobacco, Xanthi boasts refined 'to-
bacco baron' mansions. Indeed, the weed (and other agriculture) still sustains what is
now a university town with ever-improving restaurants and bars.
To the south, the ports of Keramoti and Kavala have ferries to Thasos and other is-
lands. North, the rippling Rhodopi Mountains offer forest hikes and thermal baths, while
the western Nestos River has kayaking and birdwatching opportunities.
Sights
Old Xanthi
HISTORIC AREA
On a serene hillside above town, Old Xanthi features pastel-coloured, timber-framed
houses
on narrow, winding lanes, and grand neoclassical
mansions
once inhabited by
tobacco barons. The somewhat forlorn, faded grandeur has been enlivened by a vibrant
nightlife scene (on Orfeas).
Folk Museum
MUSEUM
( 25410 25421; Antika 5-7; 8.30am-2.30pm Wed-Fri, 10.30am-3pm Sat & Sun)
Oc-
cupying the adjacent mansions of the Kougioumtzoglu brothers (erstwhile tobacco mil-
lionaires), this museum has original ceilings, wall paintings and folk items.
Open Market
MARKET
( Sat)
Xanthi's Saturday market, east of Plateia Dimokratias, sells clothes, jewellery,
fruit and vegetables.
