Alexandroupoli – Orestiada, Tomb of Zoni Doxipara, Panagia sto Therapio Church, Pentalofos Wild Ga

Orestiada is 114km from Alexandroupoli (duration: 1.30 mins)The town, whose full name is Nea Orestiada, was founded in 1923by Greek refugees who, due to historical circumstances, wereforced to abandon their birthplace of Adrianoupoli and initiallysettle in Karagats in 1920, which they named Orestiada. After that,they were forced to move again, taking whatever they could withthem, and reached this place where they built a town in the middleof nowhere.The town is organized around a large square with cafés and bars.There are small taverns and cafes on the pavements next to thesquare. The central arteries, Vas. Konstantinou Street and KonstantinopoleosStreet, are full of shops and traffic. Visit the FolkMuseum in Agion Theothoron Street, which comes out in the mainsquare.Orestiada Folk MuseumThe museum has historical and folk exhibitsof Eastern Thrace, Eastern Romiliaand Western Thraki from 1800-1950.The main exhibits are authentic items oftraditional farming and urban Thraciandress, ecclesiastical items, farm andprofessional tools, musical instrumentsand household utensils.Operating hours: 10.00-13.00Telephone: +30 25520 28080From Orestiada, take the Orestiada-Zoni provincial road, and after5.8km, turn left towards Patagi. You will reach your destinationafter 5km.Church of Agios NikolaosPatagisThe church is a singular low building,with a double-aisled woodenbasilica, a porch and slightly raisedground floor female loft, which isseparated from the main church bytrellises. The floor consists of in tombstones,the oldest of which dates backto 1655.Return to the Orestiada-Zoni provincial road and continue towardsZoni, go through Neochori and Valtos Village, turn left towardsHandra, Megali Doxipara, Mikri Doxipara. When you reach MikriDoxipara, follow the sign for Helidona. After 1,7 km you will findthe chapel of Kosmas of Aetolia and the signpost leading you tothe archaeological excavations area.The Tomb of Zoni DoxiparaAt the beginning of the 2nd century AC, members of a wealthy familyof landowners who had died in succession, were cremated and buriedin the same place, near the road which led from Adrianoupolito Philippoupoli. Excavations brought to light 4 pits containingthe cremated remains of three men and one woman, along withnumerous grave goods. The five carriages that brought the deadto the tomb were buried there also, along with the pack animals.Next to them, five more horses were buried. All the metallic,mechanical and decorative items havebeen preserved, while ontwo of themsome wooden parts and their imprtintshave been saved as well.Working hours: 07:00-14:30 in winterand 07:00-17:00 in summer.For bus excursions, prior arrangementsshould be made. Telephone: +30 2552096033.The tour of the archaeological area is aunique experience. It is free and lastsapproximatively 1 hour.After the burial mound, return to Agios Kosmas’ chapel and keepon for 800m until Helidona. 2.5km after Helidona, turn right ontothe Mikro Derio-Ormenio Provincial Road towards Therapio. Youwill reach your destination in 23km.Church of Panagia in Therapio,OrestiadaThe church is a triple-aisle basilica with a woodenroof, built in 1895. The artwork on the roof isremarkable.After Therapio, return to Komara on the Mikro-Derio-OrmenioNational Highway and on reaching Pentalofos, after 12.2km, followthe road to Kastanies (37km).Ardas-KastaniesArdas river originates in the Rodopi Mountain Range and is290km long. Stretching on a total of 241km through Bulgarianterritory, it then enters Greek territory, crosses the northern partof the Regional Unit of Evros and flows into the Evros rivernear Kastanies. The river dam, built in 1969, is 350m-long andconstitutes a landmark of the village of Therapio. The Ardas riverand the riverside forest that stretches across the whole lengthof the river constitute the most important ecosystem in NorthEvros. Due to its fauna, this unique habitat has received specialprotection status under the Natura Network 2000.The Meeting of Youth of Ardas takes place in an idyllic setting onthe banks of the river, 500m from the Village of Kastanies. Over5 days, the public enjoys concerts by popular artists and youngbands as well as a variety of other events such as moto cross,beach volley, horse riding, 4x4 racing, theatre plays, 5x5 footballgames.