The regional unit of Xanthi, part of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, holds the secret recipe of charm. Its capital is Xanthi, known as “the city of a thousand colors” and also called the noble Lady of Thrace. Built on the edge of the Ahladovouno mountain and crossed by the Kosinthos river, Xanthi is a wonderful year-round tourist destination, a vibrant multicultural city. Abdera, a major Greek polis on the Thracian coast in classical antiquity, Topeiros, an ancient Thracian settlement, which in the imperial times evolved into a great urban center survived until the Byzantine period, are only some of this destination’s gems. Nature lovers will also be rewarded: The Forest of Drymos, Lake Vistonida, Nestos river, the quaint fishing village of Porto Lagos, offer unrivalled natural beauty.
MUNICIPALITIES
ABDERA MYKI TOPEIROS XANTHI
MUNICIPALITY OF XANTHI
Area: 495.1 km2 Population (2021): 66,875 Density: 140/km2 Postal Address: Xanthi City Hall, Democracy Square, Xanthi, 671 32, Greece Municipality’s website: https://www.cityofxanthi.gr// Tel: +30 2541350814
HISTORY
Inhabited at least since the 11th century AD, Xanthi is sometimes identified with the ancient city of Xantheia mentioned in the 1st century BC by the geographer Strabo. According to mythology, the city was named after the Amazon Xanthi, who once ruled the region. Another theory suggests that the name of the city is derived from Xanthe, one of the 3,000 Oceanids, water-nymph daughters of the Titans Oceanus and his sister-wife Tethys. Xanthi began as a small village, then became a prosperous stronghold of the Byzantine era but at the end of the 14th century, it was occupied by the Ottomans. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Xanthi flourished with tobacco cultivation that established the city’s worldwide reputation. After the Balkan Wars (1912–13) Xanthi passed to Bulgaria and then to Greece after World War I. Between 1936-1945 Xanthi was occupied by the Germans and then by the Bulgarians. In 2000, the Democritus University of Thrace stimulated the area. Today, Xanthi is a modern city rich in history and customs with respect for its tradition.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Old Town: Constituting one of the largest traditional settlements in Greece, the Old Town is the most important landmark of Xanthi, a lively open-air museum. Winding alleys and cobbled narrow streets, restored mansions built with a blend of Ottoman and Neoclassical architecture, Byzantine churches, picturesque squares compose a charming scenery of a unique atmosphere and remarkable beauty.
Old Clock Tower on Dimokratias Square: The city’s meeting point. The impressive Tower was built in 1870, in art nouveau style by Hacı (Hadji) Emin Aga. Around the square there are many restaurants, taverns, and coffee shops, nightlife hotspots.
Tobacco warehouse district: The buildings, preserved in good condition, are creations of the late 19th and early 20th century when Xanthi was established as the metropolis of the highest quality oriental tobacco, Basma or Yenidje Tobacco. The industrial buildings are fine specimens of architecture, some of them unique in Europe. All buildings, have a semi-basement and an attic which were the necessary premises for the processing of tobacco.
Grand Maison-Manos Hatzidakis Residence: Manos Hatzidakis, the renowned Greek composer and theorist of Greek music was born in Xanthi in 1925. The home where he lived in his early years
still bears his legacy, which has sparked the cultural revival of the city. The restored home now serves as a museum and cultural center.
GASTRONOMY
Xanthi is famed for local specialities reflecting a rich cultural heritage. Greeks, Muslims, Pomaks, Pontic Greeks, Cappadocians have all added greatly to the rich gastronomic tradition of the area. Gastronomic treasures can cater for all tastes as the city is a culinary haven waiting to be explored. Kasseri PDO cheese, “Kavourmas” the most popular cold meat cooked with spices in fat, perfect syrupy sweets (kataifi, saragli, kiounefe to name a few), seker pare cookies, soutzouk loukoum (sweet made with grape must and walnuts), chocolate covered sweets such as “kariokes”, dontourma ice cream are all reflecting the myriad impacts of the city’s storied past.
WINES & DRINKS
Viticulture has been a millennia-old thriving practice in Thrace. The autonomous viticultural zone of PGI Thrace, established in 1997, comprises the districts of Evros, Rodopi and Xanthi which make the independent viticulture region of Thrace. Xanthi is renowned for its rich red wines.
FEASTS, FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Carnival (February/March): The biggest event of its kind in northern Greece and the second biggest in Greece, following the Patras. Three weeks full of music, dancing, parties and colorful costumes! Ιn 2025, the Carnival of Xanthi celebrates its 60th anniversary.
August 29: Xanthi celebrates the holy feast-day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city.
Old Town Festival (September): An ideal opportunity to experience the cultural heritage and vitality of the city. Unique moments full of tradition, customs and entertainment. Concerts, dance and theater performances, folklore nights, painting exhibitions, book fairs and many other events are included in the program.
RELIGIOUS SITES
Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist: Located in the Old Town, it was built after the 1829 earthquakes, on the ruins of a 16th century church.
Christian Monastery of Panagia Archangeliotissa: A pilgrimage site for the Thracian people, it is located in a peaceful location on the hill overlooking the Samakov neighbourhood, in the northeast part of the town.
Convent of Panagia Kalamou: Built near Panagia Archangeliotissa Monastery, the founding of the convent goes back to the 12th century.
The Monastery of the Holy Archangels: Located on a hill crowned by the Byzantine Castle. The monastery’s katholikon and murals date back to the 16th century.
The Achrian Mosque: Located in the Old Town, it is known also as the mosque of the Pomakoi people and is the oldest in town, as it was built during the second half of the 16th century.
Servili Mosque: Located on Skra Street it shares a number of architectural features with the 19th century Tobacco Warehouses.
KEY MUSEUMS & CULTURAL HUBS
Folk Art Museum: Housed in the beautiful mansion of the family of tobacco traders
Kougioumtzoglou, this beautifully maintained and interesting museum was established in 1975. It sheds light into the everyday lives of the city’s inhabitants in the past.
Ecclesiastical Museum: Housed in the east wing of the Monastery of Panagia Archangeliotissa, the museums hosts exhibits dating from the end of Byzantine period until the early 20th century.
Municipal Gallery: Housed in one of the oldest surviving mansions in the city that belonged to tobacco trading family Kalevras, the gallery hosts works by painter Ch. Pavlidis (1913-1998) and other artists.
House of Shadows: A unique art space, where you can see about 40 shadow sculptures, in a wonderful optical and acoustic atmosphere.
Foundation of Thracian art and Tradition: Founded in 1998 it is an important cultural center of region with many events, mostly about painting, book presentations and much more.
ACTIVITIES
Nature lovers will discover that Xanthi offers numerous natural beauties: the Nestos river with its spectacular Delta (the unique aquatic forest of Europe), the Forest of Drymos, Lake Vistonida, the forest village of Erimanthos and Rodopi mountain range, Livaditis waterfall- the highest in the Balkans-are located not far away from the city. Action fans will feel excited: canoe-kayak hiking, cycling, bird watching, archery, off-road driving and horseback riding are only a few of the activities that they can pursue. “Pomakohoria” villages are also worth visiting, as they are renowned for their cultural and architectural uniqueness.
ACCOMMODATION
When it comes to accommodation, Xanthi offers a plethora of options to suit the needs and budgets of every traveler, from luxury hotels to traditional guesthouses.
TRANSPORTATION
The nearest airport to Xanthi is Kavala International Airport “Alexander the Great” (KVA), located approximately 40 kilometers from the city. You can reach Xanthi by bus (KTEL) or by car, the distance from Athens is 720 km and from Thessaloniki 220 km.
Old Town Festival spot on YouTube (Credit: Municipality of Xanthi)
TO DO & TO GO