Miljana & Panagiotis
Things To Do
Monastery of Panagia Kosmosoteira
The monastery of Panagia Kosmosoteira (Our Lady, Saviour of the World) is a Greek Orthodox monastery, includes a fortress wall (with towers and a gate) and a Catholicon (main church) in the type of the cross-in-square church with two columns and five domes. The 12th-century frescoes are an excellent example of the contemporary Constantinopolitan School. The monastery was founded in 1152 by the Isaakios Komnenos, the third son of Alexios I. Isaakios composed the regulations of the monastery, and was buried there. Two hundred years later, the Catholicon was converted into the mosque of Suleyman, and five and a half centuries later was again converted into a Christian church. P.S. This beautiful monastery seems to be a miniature of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Byzantine Aqueduct
Built in the 12th century with flint and brick in the horizontal joints, by Isaac Comnenus, it is an excellent example of the architecture of that time. You can walk along the Byzantine Aqueduct a bit outside the town and stop at the Megali Vrysi (Great Faucet) with the digestive water and is used for therapeutic purposes. P.S. There is a legend called the Tale of Κοτζιάς for the Megali Vrysi, that any girl who drinks water from this spring will get married here. Following our story, Panagiotis tricked me into drinking from the water and after he told me the legend, so we can all confirm, on 20th of July, that it's not just a tale :)
Delta National Park
Delta National Park is at the farthest border of Greece, the eastern portion is reached via Feres, while the protected western section, including the Anthia Marshes and Drana Lagoon, is accessible via the visitor centre in Loutra Traianoupolis. Here the Evros River reaches the Aegean, with 188 sq km of coastal lakes, lagoons, sand dunes, swamps and reed beds harbour an immensely rich amount of wildlife. Be ready for flocks of silver pelicans and hundreds of flamingos that will welcome you here! If you want to go for an organised tour, we recommend Delta Evros Explorer (link attached) and in practice, some boat captains based in Feres offer unofficial tours, so you can reach Panagiotis for more info.
Alexandroupoli
Alexandroupolis is the capital of the Evros region of Thrace. It is the largest city in Greek Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and is an important port and commercial center for northeastern Greece. The most important landmark of the city is its lighthouse, built in 1850, one of the tallest in Greece and one of the few right in the center of a town. Alexandroupolis is a modern city of apartment buildings, family houses, easy for riding bikes and walking.
Alexandroupoli's Lighthouse
The symbol of the city! The Alexandroupoli lighthouse was inaugurated on June 1, 1880 and has been operating continuously since then. It is 18 meters high and in order to reach the lamp chamber, at its top, one needs to climb 98 steps with six flat stairs. A lot of tavernas and cafeterias on the walking promenade with fantastic sea views.
Ethnological Museum of Thrace
Founded with the purpose of preserving historical memory in the wider region of Thrace and is a self-funded organization. Since 2002 it has been operating in Alexandroupolis in a leased, stone-built neoclassical building that dates from 1899. Ethnological Museum Alexandroupoli connects the memory contained within it and the traditions with the contemporary society. There are over 500 objects in its collection and comprises of objects, archives with pictures and documents, videos, recording, and the library.
Historical Museum of Alexandroupolis
The local city museum offers a trip to the city's history, since the time of ottoman rule. It mainly shows how life in the city of Alexandroupolis was in the old times and focuses on people, professions, buildings and local life.
Agia Paraskevi Beach
The beach of Agia Paraskevi is located approximately 14 kilometers west of the capital city of Alexandroupolis , Evros. It's considered “secular” beach, as it attracts crowds from the capital, who prefer it for its clear blue waters and of course because of the access to it is easy and fast even by the city center. Agia Paraskevi Beach it was named by the homonymous chapel, dedicated to Agia Paraskevi near and there is a festival organised every year on 26th of July, the day of its celebration. P.S. Day after our wedding, on 21st of July, at one of our favourite spots Beach Bar Nama, will be a party with the famous DJ and producer Liva K. You are more than welcome to join us!
Soufli Silk Museum
If you want to go home with something unique, we advise you to visit the town of Soufli (30 minutes car ride) which has been a key centre for Greek silk production since the 19th century. Art of Silk Museum displays the full sequence of sericulture (with live silkworms on show most of the year) and shows the more industrial side of silk manufacture and weaving incorporating fully functional machinery and exhibits from the Tsiakiri factory and videos of the various stages and methods of production. Brands like Dior and The Hermes Foundation, has financed the purchase of reeling unit of silk exactly from Soufli. The museum shop has a selection of the many silk items produced by the Tsiakiri Silk House as well as a number of locally produced specialities.