Nestos Straits & Aesthetic Forest: Ecological Paradise & UNESCO Adventure
The Nestos Gorge, also known as the "Divine Path," is an impressive route where the Nestos River carves its way through steep cliffs, forming a unique landscape.
The Nestos Gorge, also known as the "Divine Path," is an impressive route where the Nestos River carves its way through steep cliffs, forming a unique landscape.
The Divine Path and the Virgin Forest of Nestos
The Nestos Gorge, also known as the "Divine Path," is an impressive route where the Nestos River carves its way through steep cliffs, forming a unique landscape. The Aesthetic Forest of Nestos, which stretches along the river route, is protected and home to rich flora and fauna, making the area a paradise for nature lovers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. The area is ideal for activities such as hiking, canoeing, and cycling, while wildlife observatories offer unique experiences to visitors.
Suggested Cultural Monuments Route in the Nestos Straits & the Aesthetic Forest of Nestos
With unique biodiversity, rare species of birds of prey, and pristine forest ecosystems, the area combines wildlife with cultural heritage.
Discover more in the Nestos Straits area
Stavroupoli
The settlement of Stavroupoli is one of the best-preserved traditional villages in the area, notable for its Macedonian architecture. The well-maintained Macedonian-style houses, impressive mansions, and uphill cobbled streets create an atmosphere that transports visitors to the early 20th century.
Stavroupoli has been an important commercial and administrative center, a fact reflected in its architecture and urban layout. The settlement offers unique opportunities for exploration, with significant cultural points of interest, such as the Holy Church of Evangelistria and the Folklore Museum.
Today, Stavroupoli is a popular destination for visitors wishing to experience traditional Thracian architecture, enjoy local hospitality, and explore landscapes of unparalleled natural beauty.
Stavroupoli
The settlement of Stavroupoli is one of the best-preserved traditional villages in the area, notable for its Macedonian architecture. The well-maintained Macedonian-style houses, impressive mansions, and uphill cobbled streets create an atmosphere that transports visitors to the early 20th century.
Stavroupoli has been an important commercial and administrative center, a fact reflected in its architecture and urban layout. The settlement offers unique opportunities for exploration, with significant cultural points of interest, such as the Holy Church of Evangelistria and the Folklore Museum.
Today, Stavroupoli is a popular destination for visitors wishing to experience traditional Thracian architecture, enjoy local hospitality, and explore landscapes of unparalleled natural beauty.
Stavroupoli
Folklore Museum of Stavroupoli
The Folklore Museum of Stavroupoli is housed in a restored traditional building and serves as an important cultural center that preserves and showcases local history and tradition. Through exhibits that include traditional costumes, tools, furniture, and everyday objects, visitors can gain insight into the lives of the residents of Stavroupoli during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museum is a significant site of cultural preservation, allowing visitors to discover local cultural heritage and understand the social and economic structure of the area over time.
Folklore Museum of Stavroupoli
The Folklore Museum of Stavroupoli is housed in a restored traditional building and serves as an important cultural center that preserves and showcases local history and tradition. Through exhibits that include traditional costumes, tools, furniture, and everyday objects, visitors can gain insight into the lives of the residents of Stavroupoli during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museum is a significant site of cultural preservation, allowing visitors to discover local cultural heritage and understand the social and economic structure of the area over time.
Folklore Museum of Stavroupoli
The Old Town Festival
The Old Town Festival, a major cultural event organized by the Municipality of Xanthi, focuses on the Old Town, one of the few examples of an urban environment with houses and mansions that showcase architectural styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Old Town Festival
The Old Town Festival, a major cultural event organized by the Municipality of Xanthi, focuses on the Old Town, one of the few examples of an urban environment with houses and mansions that showcase architectural styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Old Town Festival
Kasseri Cheese and Syrupy Desserts from Xanthi, Kavourmas, Nuts
They reflect the diversity of the local cuisine, where Eastern and Greek influences meet, and particularly the Pomak cuisine, which utilizes local products, is simple and based on vegetables and corn and wheat flour.
Kasseri Cheese and Syrupy Desserts from Xanthi, Kavourmas, Nuts
They reflect the diversity of the local cuisine, where Eastern and Greek influences meet, and particularly the Pomak cuisine, which utilizes local products, is simple and based on vegetables and corn and wheat flour.
Kasseri Cheese and Syrupy Desserts from Xanthi, Kavourmas, Nuts
Xanthi Tobacco
Highly regarded in both domestic and international markets.
Xanthi Tobacco
Highly regarded in both domestic and international markets.
Xanthi Tobacco
“Manos Hadjidakis" Xanthi Festival
his festival showcases the unique musical heritage that the great composer, born in Xanthi, bequeathed to the city. Hence, the Festival “City of Dreams Music Schools” is annually held in Xanthi.
“Manos Hadjidakis" Xanthi Festival
his festival showcases the unique musical heritage that the great composer, born in Xanthi, bequeathed to the city. Hence, the Festival “City of Dreams Music Schools” is annually held in Xanthi.
“Manos Hadjidakis" Xanthi Festival
Holy Church of Evangelistria in Stavroupoli
The Holy Church of Evangelistria in Stavroupoli is one of the most significant religious monuments in the area, dating back to 1858. The church is notable for its unique architecture, which combines Byzantine and neoclassical elements, as well as for its interior, which features a wood-carved iconostasis and high-aesthetic value hagiographies.
The church has been a focal point of the religious and social life of Stavroupoli, playing an important role in the community's religious rituals and celebrations. Today, it remains an active place of worship, attracting visitors interested in the history and the ecclesiastical art of the region
Holy Church of Evangelistria in Stavroupoli
The Holy Church of Evangelistria in Stavroupoli is one of the most significant religious monuments in the area, dating back to 1858. The church is notable for its unique architecture, which combines Byzantine and neoclassical elements, as well as for its interior, which features a wood-carved iconostasis and high-aesthetic value hagiographies.
The church has been a focal point of the religious and social life of Stavroupoli, playing an important role in the community's religious rituals and celebrations. Today, it remains an active place of worship, attracting visitors interested in the history and the ecclesiastical art of the region
Holy Church of Evangelistria in Stavroupoli
Dryades Cave
The Dryades Cave is located near the village of Livera in the prefecture of Xanthi and is surrounded by dense forest, making it difficult to locate its entrance. Its total area is 1,150 square meters, with corridors extending over a length of more than 300 meters. The main chamber has a steep incline, featuring an impressive natural column in its center. Various chambers surround the column, such as the "Hidden Compartments," the "Catacombs," and the "Stone Forest," adorned with a rich natural decoration of stunning stalagmites and stalactites.
Dryades Cave
The Dryades Cave is located near the village of Livera in the prefecture of Xanthi and is surrounded by dense forest, making it difficult to locate its entrance. Its total area is 1,150 square meters, with corridors extending over a length of more than 300 meters. The main chamber has a steep incline, featuring an impressive natural column in its center. Various chambers surround the column, such as the "Hidden Compartments," the "Catacombs," and the "Stone Forest," adorned with a rich natural decoration of stunning stalagmites and stalactites.
Dryades Cave
Xanthi Carnival
One of the largest carnivals in Greece, attracting visitors from across the country.
Xanthi Carnival
One of the largest carnivals in Greece, attracting visitors from across the country.
Xanthi Carnival
Macedonian Tomb of Komnina
The Macedonian tomb at Komnina is one of the most impressive funerary monuments of the Hellenistic period in Thrace. The vaulted tomb, located near Stavroupoli, is a typical example of Macedonian funerary architecture, featuring an imposing entrance, chamber, and antechamber, according to the typology of royal tombs in Macedonia.
Its location indicates the strategic importance of the region during the Hellenistic period, when Thrace was under the influence of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Its construction and preservation suggest the economic prosperity and the status of the deceased, possibly a member of the upper social class. The tomb is now an important archaeological site, contributing to the study of burial customs of the time.
Macedonian Tomb of Komnina
The Macedonian tomb at Komnina is one of the most impressive funerary monuments of the Hellenistic period in Thrace. The vaulted tomb, located near Stavroupoli, is a typical example of Macedonian funerary architecture, featuring an imposing entrance, chamber, and antechamber, according to the typology of royal tombs in Macedonia.
Its location indicates the strategic importance of the region during the Hellenistic period, when Thrace was under the influence of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Its construction and preservation suggest the economic prosperity and the status of the deceased, possibly a member of the upper social class. The tomb is now an important archaeological site, contributing to the study of burial customs of the time.
Macedonian Tomb of Komnina
Fortress of Kalyva
The Fortress of Kalyva is one of the most important fortification works in the area, built in the 4th century BC by Philip II of Macedonia. The fortress, located at an altitude of 650 meters, played a strategic role in controlling the passage from Macedonia to Thrace, serving as a crucial point for the defense and security of the area.
Its ruins reveal the architecture of Macedonian fortifications, while its location offers panoramic views of the Nestos Valley. The fortress is an important historical landmark, attesting to the significance of the area in antiquity and the expansion of the Macedonian Kingdom to the East.
Fortress of Kalyva
The Fortress of Kalyva is one of the most important fortification works in the area, built in the 4th century BC by Philip II of Macedonia. The fortress, located at an altitude of 650 meters, played a strategic role in controlling the passage from Macedonia to Thrace, serving as a crucial point for the defense and security of the area.
Its ruins reveal the architecture of Macedonian fortifications, while its location offers panoramic views of the Nestos Valley. The fortress is an important historical landmark, attesting to the significance of the area in antiquity and the expansion of the Macedonian Kingdom to the East.
Fortress of Kalyva
The Camel’s or “Tziamala” custom in Stavroupoli
The Camel’s or “Tziamala” custom in Stavroupoli on Ash Monday. Traditional sounds, lenten delicacies, plenty of wine, and the famous “Camel’s Custom” create an unforgettable experience for visitors.
The Camel’s or “Tziamala” custom in Stavroupoli
The Camel’s or “Tziamala” custom in Stavroupoli on Ash Monday. Traditional sounds, lenten delicacies, plenty of wine, and the famous “Camel’s Custom” create an unforgettable experience for visitors.
The Camel’s or “Tziamala” custom in Stavroupoli
Everything you need to know
Where can I find information about the Nestos Straits & Aesthetic Forest of Nestos?
Are guided tours or educational programs offered?
How is the access to Nestos Strait by road?
Is there rail access to the area?
Are there walking trails?
Can I go cycling?
Is the area accessible for people with mobility difficulties?
Where can I park my vehicle?
Are there signs to guide visitors?
Are there any signs with info about the natural environment and history?
Are there any spots for wildlife viewing?
Can I have a picnic or relax in the area?
Are there accommodation options near the Nestos Straits & Aesthetic Forest of Nestos?
Where can I eat in the area?
Can I go kayaking or rafting on the Nestos River?
Are the trails suitable for hiking and mountaineering?
