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Stavroupoli (or Stavroupolis Xanthi, Greek: Σταυρούπολη) is a village in the Western Thrace region of Greece, on the road between Drama and Xanthi. It's one of the entry points for the Greek part of the Rhodope Mountains.
Understand
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Stavroupoli is the largest and most important of the villages of the Nestos. The village is built on the left bank of the river in the wood-covered foothills of the Rhodope Mountains. It's close to the Nestos Gorge, a top-rated tourist attraction of Western Thrace.
Stavroupoli lies in the north-western part of the municipality of Xanthi within the regional unit of the same. The northern areas feature rough alpine scenery with sharp crests and few tiny hamlets.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By road
[edit | edit source]Coming from the east, the quickest way to reach Stavroupolis is to exit at the Xanthi East Junction, and to follow the National Highway to Stavroupolis and Drama.
By rail
[edit | edit source]1 Railway station
Get around
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The surrounding sights can only be explored by car. Stavrouplis itself is small and everything is easily accessible on foot.
See
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- 1 Nestos Gorge. A gorge with steep rocky slopes covered by forest. It's also an important wildlife refuge for golden eagles and a variety of other native birds. Hiking in Nestos Gorge is easy; You can follow the path along the railway line south of Stavroupoli. The most popular section of the trail starts near the abandoned station of 1 Livera and ends at the village of 2 Toxotes, a popular staging point for kayakers and hikers alike. The views are spectacular and breath-taking. Stone tables and resting benches are available on the trail.
- 2 Macedonian tomb of Stavroupoli. A small but well preserved Macedonian tomb dating back to the first half of 4th century BC.
- Church of Evaggelistria.
- Museum of Folklore.
Further afield
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- 3 Kalyvas Fortress. Fortress ruins near an abandoned village north of Ano Ionicon. One of the most important archaeological sites of Thrace. It dates from the Hellenistic period and especially during the reign of Philip II in 340 BC. The fortress was built on a hill, at altitude of 627 m (2,057 ft) above sea level. It had a strategic position because it controlled the valley of Nestos.
- 4 Livaditis Waterfall (near the village of Livaditis/Leivaditis (Λειβαδίτης), about 12 km (7.5 mi) north-west of Stavroupoli). A scenic 35-metre (115 ft) high waterfall with 3 pools. The waterfall is well signposted as soon as you reach the village of Livaditis. After leaving the village you drive 3.5 km (2.2 mi) on an asphalted road. Then you reach a larger parking lot, from which a 2.2 km (1.4 mi) dirt road leads to a small place with shelter. Without 4WD the dirt road is to be used only with caution. From there, a beautiful, well-walked and signposted 2 km (1.2 mi) footpath starts downhill through the forest to the waterfall. Some people bathe in the cool water of the pools.
- 5 Ag. Barbara Waterfall and Lake. A small lake with a waterfall is located 600 meters from the road, nestled in the woods. Benches and tables invite you to rest, and the lake offers the opportunity for a refreshing dip in its cool waters. From the main road, turn at a signpost and follow the gravel path for approximately 300 meters to the parking area. There, cross the small stream via a log bridge. The waterfall is located about 500 meters inland, near an animal shelter. The waterfall is not situated on the stream itself, but rather within the forest!
- 6 Loutra Thermion. Hot thermal springs of 80°C. In illegally built, slum-like corrugated iron shacks, some of which are open, you can take a hot bath surrounded by impressive scenery.
Do
[edit | edit source]The Rodhopi mountains are full of routes and trails for cycling, hiking and horse riding.
- Hiking - A signed 5km trail, starting at Karyofyto village, leads you to Gyftokastro peak, with an altitude of 1745m and a panoramic view of contiguous Bulgaria.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Forest Village "Erymanthos", ☏ +30 25420 21008, +30 25420 63710, +30 697 678 1945 (mobile). Wooden cabins owned by Greek forest rangers and available to rent.
- 2 Iniochos Guest-house (Komnina village), ☏ +30 25420 22483. Little bungalows surrounding a pool with hills in the backdrop.
- 3 Kallithea Mountain hut (Kallithea village), ☏ +30 254 202 2215, +30 697 235 2048 (Mobile).
- 4 Drimia Mountain Hut (Drimia village), ☏ +30 254 106 3710. State owned
- 5 [formerly dead link] Livaditis Mountain Hut, ☏ +30 6934 244 449 (mobile).
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 6 Agnantio (Karyofyto village), ☏ +30 693 726 0508 (mobile).
- 7 Xenios Zeus Guesthouse, ☏ +30 693 674 7366 (mobile).
- Karyon (Karyofyto village), ☏ +30 697 401 0956 (Mobile), +30 697 722 2270 (Mobile). Tourist rented maisonettes
- 8 To Archontiko - Guest House Villa, ☏ +30 25420 22225, +30 6936 512162 (Mobile), +30 6936 47366 (Mobile). A renovated mansion built in the 1920s. Three bedrooms.
- 9 Tzivaeri Guesthouse (Lykodromi village), ☏ +30 25410 74843, +30 6973 988823 (Mobile), +30 6973 6972 242728 (Mobile). Furnished apartments to let
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 10 Kyveli Hotel (Karyofyto village), ☏ +30 25420 31031. A 4-star hotel built in 2008.Six double with balcony.
- 11 Nemesis Hotel (Komnina village), ☏ +30 25420 21005, +30 25420 21007. A 3-star hotel. 32 double