Komotini

The provincial town is strongly influenced by Muslim culture and the center of Thrace. Komotini is the capital of the Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It is the seat of an Orthodox bishop and since 1973 the Democritus University of Thrace. Tourist is of minor interest, but a detour is worthwhile, if you go on the way to Turkey or Bulgaria or spend your holidays on the wonderful beaches between Fanari and Maroneia. Life in Komotini is influenced by students, as the local university is a popular study site.

History

The first written mention of the town dates back to the 14th century. At that time, Komotini was a small and insignificant settlement founded by the Byzantines to protect the Via Egnatia and the plains before the frequent raids of Slavs coming from the north. In 1361 the settlement fell to the Ottoman Turks. From the 14th century, Komotini (then called Komoutzina) took the form of a city when people from the nearby Byzantine city of Mosynoupolis (destroyed by the Bulgarian ruler Kaloioannis in 1206) settled here, as well as a large number of Ottoman from Asia Minor. As there was no longer enough room for Christians and Muslims in the old Byzantine fortress, new quarters were gradually built: Christian and Muslim quarters, the Gypsy quarter and the Jewish quarter within the walls of the city. With the end of the First World War Komotini became Greek. As a result, the Bulgarian population was expelled. About half of the inhabitants of Komotini are ethnic Turks and Pomaks of Greek nationality. They were excluded from the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923, as agreed in the Treaty of Lausanne.

• Komotini is located on the railway line Thessaloniki - Alexandropolis. The is located about 1 km southeast of the city center

Since the city is small and also flat, you can reach the tourist attractions on foot.

The major monuments in the city are:

• New Mosquebuilt 1600-1618.

• Clock towerbuilt in 1884 by the order of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

• Old Mosquebuilt 1608/9 or 1677/78.

• Orthodox churchbuilt in 1800 inside the Byzantine fortress of Komotini.

• Ruins of the Byzantine fortressdating from the 4th century AD.

• Imaret of Komotinione of the oldest Ottoman monuments in Thrace from 1360-1380.

Museums

• Archaeological museum of Komotini

• Folk museum

  address: 13, "Aghiou Georgiou" St

• Byzantine museum of Komotini

• Carathéodory's museumdedicated to Constantin Carathéodory

• Thracian, Ethnological, Historical and Cultural museum

Further afield

• The suburban forest of Nymphaeanorth of Komotini. Beautiful forest landscape with walking paths and a restaurant with wonderful views. A few meters above you will find the ruins of the Fortress of Nymphea

• MosynopolisRuins of a byzantine city of Maximnounopolis or Mosynopolis is an archaeological site located 7 kilometers west of Komotini, south of the village of Miskos. In the area there was the ancient city of Paxoula. Then was founded Maximianoupolis, which later became the name of Mosynopolis (also referred to as Mosynopolis). In the archaeological site, the ruins of a 11th-13th century temple, part of the walls, a tomb of Maximianopolis, as well as early-Christian tombs of the Mosynopolis, have been excavated. Findings from archaeological excavations are kept at the Archaeological Museum of Komotini.

• Sultan Tepe

  address: 10, "Vasileos Paulou" St
  Turkish cuisine

• Ta Aderfia

  address: 33, Orfeus str
  Oriental cuisine

• Farma Kreaton

  phone: +30 253 102 0000
  address: Adrianoupoleos St.
  Steak house

• Ta Pyrofania

  phone: +30 6970746460
  address: 10 "Kyriakidi Stilpnos" St
  Fish taverna

• Diamond

  phone: +30 2531 033512
  address: 6th km of Komotini- Iasmou Rd
  Renowned restaurant. Live music

• Nedim Patisserie

  phone: +30 25310 22036
  address: Kriton 15-17, Orfeos
  Special cookies and Eastern Mediterranean sweets.

Budget

• Hellas Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 22055, +30 6936 124500 (Mobile)
  address: 31, Dimokritou Str
  A 1 star hotel built in 1995 and renovated in 2008. Noisy location.

• Democritus Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 22044, +30 25310 23396
  address: 8, "G. Vizyinou" Square
  A 2-star hotel built in 1967 and renovated in 2011.

• Olympos Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 37690
  address: 37, Orpheos Str
  A 2-star hotel built in 1932 and renovated in 2012.

Mid-range

• Kyridis Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 73250
  address: 6, "Leontos Sofou" Str
  A 3-star hotel built in 2001.

• Orpheus Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 37180, +30 6977-394766 (mobile)
  address: 1, Parassiou Str
  A 3-star hotel built in 1976 and entirely renovated in 2010.

• Rodopi Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 35988
  address: 3, "Ethnarchou Makariou" Str
  A 3-star hotel built in 1988 and renovated in 2010.

Splurge

• Arcadia Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 89100
  A 4-star hotel built in 2003 and renovated in 2008

• Archontiko Chris & Eve Mansion

  phone: +30 25310 33560
  address: 3rd km of Komotini - Alexandroupoli Old National Road
  A 4-star hotel

• Achillio Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 83880, +30 25310 22323
  address: 4th km of Komotini - Xanthi Old National Road
  A 4-star hotel

• Astoria Traditional Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 35054, +30 25310 22707
  address: 28, Irinis Square
  A 4-star hotel

• Anatolia Hotel

  phone: +30 25310 36242
  address: 53, Anchialou St
  A 3-star hotel built in 1985 and renovated in 2010

• Maroneia Archeological site
• Samothrace - Island
• Thasos - Island
• Kavala
• Alexandroupolis
• Kardzhali