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The prefecture of Evros is a place with unsurpassed and unique beauty, combining sea and mountain in a fascinating way. One may say that Evros is suitable only for summer tourism due to the plethora of its beaches that have been distinguished with the blue-flag award, covering a distance of approximately 25 kilometres, stretching from the town of Alexandroupolis all the way to the ancient site of Mesimvria-Zoni.
This is not true though, since the prefecture of Evros is not lacking in attributes to make it a remarkable alternative destination. Evros is a land endowed by nature as proven by the presence of two areas with extremely important environmental significance, which are protected by international treaties and attract global interest: we naturally refer to the Forest of Dadia and the Evros Delta.
The Forest of Dadia is located in the heart of the prefecture of Evros, covering the southeastern hilly outskirts of the mountain mass of Rodopi. The smooth hills of Dadia are furrowed by tens of ravines and brooks; the mature pine and oak forests are interrupted by small clearings and prairies, pastures and cultivated lots, while steep mountain sides and rocks rise here and there in a dream-like landscape. Nevertheless, what makes the Forest of Dadia truly unique in Europe is the fact that visitors have the opportunity to marvel at rare vultures that build their nests in the area either permanently or for the winter. At 500 meters from the settlement of Dadia, catering to visitors the Ecotourist Center is in operation with an Information Center, hotel, restaurant and an outlet selling local products. The Center serves as a spring-board for short or long trips to areas of particular interest in the National Park as well as the broader area.
In the southeastern tip of the prefecture, the Evros River forms a rich delta, a wetland of international importance with its vast variety of flora composing a colorful mosaic. The Evros Delta also hosts a great variety of fauna, unique in Europe. The area is particularly important for a great number of migratory birds, as well as for those who build their nests there for the winter. Tens of aquatic birds are wintering at the Delta. Visitors have the opportunity to marvel at hundreds of swans and thousands of geese feeding at lagoons and traveling towards the coast at sundown. In Traianoupolis, at 14 kilometers from Alexandroupolis, the Evros Delta Visitors’ Center hosts an exhibition and special hall for projecting movies and slides. Starting from Traianoupolis and Ferres, there are organized guided tours through selected land and water routes at the delta.
The mountain routes of the prefecture are very impressive and easily accessed by car, leading to areas of unique natural beauty, as well as to historic monuments and traditional settlements, such as Metaxades, Paliouri and Petrota. Thick pine and acorn forests line the mountain tops, dotted by the Pomakohoria near the border with Bulgaria. Also noteworthy, Ardas River, the tributary of Evros, reveals incomparable beauties as it runs all the way to the quaint village of Kastanies. Finally, particularly important for alternative tourism, the island of Samothraki, with its rich and wildly green nature surpasses the stereotype of the sandy-beached island. The steep mountain of Saos, whose peak Feggari is the highest point in the Aegean, is suitable for mountain climbing and trekking.
This is not true though, since the prefecture of Evros is not lacking in attributes to make it a remarkable alternative destination. Evros is a land endowed by nature as proven by the presence of two areas with extremely important environmental significance, which are protected by international treaties and attract global interest: we naturally refer to the Forest of Dadia and the Evros Delta.
The Forest of Dadia is located in the heart of the prefecture of Evros, covering the southeastern hilly outskirts of the mountain mass of Rodopi. The smooth hills of Dadia are furrowed by tens of ravines and brooks; the mature pine and oak forests are interrupted by small clearings and prairies, pastures and cultivated lots, while steep mountain sides and rocks rise here and there in a dream-like landscape. Nevertheless, what makes the Forest of Dadia truly unique in Europe is the fact that visitors have the opportunity to marvel at rare vultures that build their nests in the area either permanently or for the winter. At 500 meters from the settlement of Dadia, catering to visitors the Ecotourist Center is in operation with an Information Center, hotel, restaurant and an outlet selling local products. The Center serves as a spring-board for short or long trips to areas of particular interest in the National Park as well as the broader area.
In the southeastern tip of the prefecture, the Evros River forms a rich delta, a wetland of international importance with its vast variety of flora composing a colorful mosaic. The Evros Delta also hosts a great variety of fauna, unique in Europe. The area is particularly important for a great number of migratory birds, as well as for those who build their nests there for the winter. Tens of aquatic birds are wintering at the Delta. Visitors have the opportunity to marvel at hundreds of swans and thousands of geese feeding at lagoons and traveling towards the coast at sundown. In Traianoupolis, at 14 kilometers from Alexandroupolis, the Evros Delta Visitors’ Center hosts an exhibition and special hall for projecting movies and slides. Starting from Traianoupolis and Ferres, there are organized guided tours through selected land and water routes at the delta.
The mountain routes of the prefecture are very impressive and easily accessed by car, leading to areas of unique natural beauty, as well as to historic monuments and traditional settlements, such as Metaxades, Paliouri and Petrota. Thick pine and acorn forests line the mountain tops, dotted by the Pomakohoria near the border with Bulgaria. Also noteworthy, Ardas River, the tributary of Evros, reveals incomparable beauties as it runs all the way to the quaint village of Kastanies. Finally, particularly important for alternative tourism, the island of Samothraki, with its rich and wildly green nature surpasses the stereotype of the sandy-beached island. The steep mountain of Saos, whose peak Feggari is the highest point in the Aegean, is suitable for mountain climbing and trekking.
THE EVROS DELTA, A WAY STATION FOR FLYING MIGRANTS
Nature as the master artist. The Evros Delta is a nature lover’s dream. It is one of the most important ecosystems in Europe and it has been recognized as an international wetland (Convention of Ramsar, 1971). Fresh water mixes with the sea to create a rich wetland habitat and vital rest-place for large numbers of water birds. Of Greece’s 400 species, 300 hundred pass through here, while the river itself boasts 46 kinds of fish, 7 amphibian, 21 reptile and more than 40 mammals. |
Bird observation-Forest of Dadia - Evros Region
Located 2 km away from the Ecotourism Centre within the protected area of Dadia, a closed observatory operates for visitors who have the opportunity to observe vultures and other raptors which come trough. The trough is a selected location within the Dadia Forest in which the guards leave dead animals for vultures as additional food aid. Starting by the Ecotourism Center there have been demarcated and marked appropriately enough trails which can be used by guests. By following these paths someone can reaches the observatory, the hilltop Gkimprena or Kapsalo hill with panoramic views of the area.The forest is located in the middle of Evros and it forms part of the southeastern tip of the Rhodope massif. It falls in the lowland-hilly area, with an altitude ranging from 10 to 604 meters. West of the region there is a mountainous area with the highest peaks Sapka (1.044m.) and Silo (1.065m.). It is a protected area since 1980 and it includes two zones of strict protection of total area of 72.900 acres, as well as a peripheral zone measuring 357,100 acres. |
soufli
Soufli is the unique “silk town” of Greece, also famous for its wine, tsipouro and delicatessen as well as for its rich tradition and cultural heritage. Throughout the town you will find the silk production units, known as “koukoulospita" (cocoon houses), where the silkworms are bred. Soufli has been inhabited since the Alexandrian period as indicate the discovered Hellenistic tombs. The second most important industry in Soufli was viniculture. Wine production in Soufli during the 19th century was just under 2.000.000 L! Soufli was also recognized as an important craft center, carts being the most important. The city's cart-wrights provided the whole region of Thrace with ox-carts, famous for their resistance and exceptional quality. |
Forest Leisure Place of Katratzides
The Recreation Area of Katratzidis is located in Dadia forest in a beautiful location, west of the observatory. It offers a shelter, a refreshment area, an outdoor dining area and a soccer field. There you can also observe the fossilized tree trunks which are dated over 20 million years old. |