Xanthi nestled in the beautiful regions of Macedonia and Thrace, offers Greece a wealth of history, culture, and natural beauty. The magnificent old town, preserved over the years, boasts excellent condition, with Ottoman-era buildings and traditional, colorful houses attracting tourists’ attention. The local market, with its traditional crafts, is worth a visit. The area of Xanthi has always been renowned for its religious traditions and monasteries. The four oldest monasteries are particularly worth seeing: Panagia Archangeliotissa, Panagia Kalamou, the Monastery of Taxiarchon, and Agios Nikolaos.
Various museums showcase the fascinating history of Xanthi and Greece as a whole. The Folklore Museum showcases local customs and traditions, and the Archaeological Museum boasts a collection of artifacts from ancient times. The ancient city of Abdera is also worth visiting to see the ruins of a Greek colony. Xanthi’s natural beauty includes the Nestos River, with its crystal-clear waters and shallow areas, offering opportunities for water sports and hiking. The nearby Lefki Forest is a haven for over 200 bird species. Xanthi hosts an amazing carnival every year and various cultural events throughout the rest of the year, such as music festivals, art exhibitions and theatre performances.
Location
Xanthi is a city in the region of Western Thrace, northeastern Greece. It is the capital of the Xanthi regional unit of the region of East Macedonia and Thrace.
The House of Shadow
A unique presentation of shadows from artefacts, objects and pieces of art. A wonderful experience and a fabulous creative tour. The House of Shadow in Xanthi is a captivating exhibition featuring unique shadow art created by Triandafyllos Vaitsis. Shadows of works of art made of useless materials and common garbage are “exhibited”, after being properly illuminated. The creator and owner of the “House of Shadow”, Triantafyllos Vaitsis, is considered to be among the best of the so-called Shadow Art.
Cathedral of St Sophia The Wisdom of God
The Cathedral of Saint Sophia of Xanthi is located in Xanthi and is a beautiful large cathedral with many decorations, it is definitely worth going in and praying during your trip. The main and the most central church in the city. It’s a Orthodox church in the heart of the town next to the central square.
Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Baptist
The Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Xanthi, Greece, is a notable church in the Old Town of Xanthi. The church is a landmark of Christian worship and religious tradition in the area.
Monastery of Panagia Archangeliotissa
Thracian pilgrimage site, located in a quiet place on a hill overlooking the Samakov district, in the north-eastern part of the city. It was named after the miraculous icon depicting the Virgin Mary among archangels Gabriel and Michael, and celebrates on the 15th of August.
In the eastern wing is the ecclesiastical museum of the metropolis, with rare portable icons, ecclesiastical heirlooms, vestments and functional uten.
Panagia Kalamou
The monastery of Panagia Kalamou is situated on the mountain lying north of Xanthi at an altitude of 170 m. and is dedicated to Virgin Mary (Panagia). It was probably founded during the 11th century AD. The name ‘Kalamou’ or ‘Kalamiotissa’ derives from the local tradition stating that a miraculous icon of Virgin Mary was found in a reed bed near Kossinthos River. Thus, the monastery, along with its the main church was dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God.
The Monastery of the Holy Archangels
The Monastery of the Holy Archangels is a historical Orthodox monastery located in Xanthi. It’s known for its Byzantine castle, the katholikon (main church), and its murals. The monastery also played a role in sheltering refugees and later housed a church school. Date back to the 16th century.
Folk and History Museum of Xanthi
The two-building complex is located in the old town of Xanthi, near Metropolis Square.Housed in the Kougioumtzoglou family residence, you’ll find the exhibition “Xanthi 1860–1940, an era of prosperity,” which explores the urban class and the tobacco trade; the exhibition “Weekdays and Festivals,” which features elements of agricultural and livestock farming life in Thrace; and the exhibition “Entrepreneurship in Xanthi at the beginning of the 20th century – Professionals – Working Class,” based on a guidebook for professionals from 1910–1911.
The museum also features a dedicated area for demonstrations, lectures, concerts, seasonal exhibitions, and other educational activities. The museum’s exterior features two Turkish baths (hammams), one for men and one for women.
Xanthi Municipal Art Gallery
This magnificent building, with its beautiful wood-carved ceilings, was built in the mid-19th century. It belonged to the Kalevras family and now houses the Municipal Art Gallery, named after Christos Pavlidis, a prominent painter from Xanthi, who donated a significant number of paintings to the gallery.
This old family residence is located in Xanthi’s Old Town and houses 52 paintings. Tourits found history coming alive and recommend it as a must-see for both the art and the architecture.
Achrian Mosque
The monument is interesting from an architectural point of view, while the interior is simple. On the outside stands the impressive minaret with two balconies and inside the mihrab. It is interesting that although the building is later than the so-called “New Mosque”, is named “Old” because it located in the “Old Quarter”, the so-called “district of the Old Mosque-Atik Mosque.”
