SAMOTHRACE: THE LAND OF THE GREAT GODS
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Last winter the Acropolis Museum held the succesful exhibition "Samothrace: The mysteries of the Great Gods". Thousands visitors from all over the world had a perfect chance to meet a tiny windswept island in the northern Aegean through 252 exhibits which had been transferred to Athens.
In antiquity, the fame of Samothrace emanated from its mystery cult of the Great Gods, whose rites of initation protection at sea and the opportunity to became a better and more pious person in all ways. The rituals were held at right, the Sanctuary illuminated with torches, during wich initiates had to participate in a purification ceremony, to confess their greatest sins, to wear the wide, purple sash around their waist and to witness the unveiling of sacred symbols. Legend has it that the parents of Alexander the Great first met in Samothrace' s rites. The most famous artifact of the Sanctuary, a splendid dedication, is the 2.5 metre marble statue of "Nike" now known as the Winged Victory of Samothrace, dating from about 190 BC, masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture.
Referred by mythology as island of Aeolus, Samothrace is wreathed by mount Saos, the highest mountain on the Aegean islands. According to Homer, Poseidon sat on its top to watch the Trojan war. The highest peak -1.611 meters- is called ''Fengari'' = ''moon'', because it hides the moon as the locals say. Hundreds of crystal watered streams flow from mount Saos and rush through the forests all the way to the sea.On their way, they form waterfalls and stone- basins, the so called ''vathres''. You will not be able to resist a cool, refreshing dip. It is a one- of- a- kind experience. But caution! The most famous river is also the most dangerous. As you climb higher up the mountain you' ll reach ''The Killer''- just as threatening as its name.
Samothrace with its physical and metaphysical power will lure you into its mystical ambience. One is for sure; the energy of this island will overwhelm you. Are you ready to be initiated into the world of Samothrace?
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