Maroneia is a village of 6,400 people (2011) in Western Thrace. Maroneia was one of the wealthiest towns of ancient world along with nearby Abdera and Mesimvria. Nowadays it's a village appreciated for its surrounding beaches (Profitis Ilias, Alkyona, Mesi, Kageles and Molyvoti).

Understand

Central Square

Modern village of Maronia

Maroneia was one of the wealthiest towns of ancient world along with nearby Abdera and Mesimvria. Nowadays it's a village appreciated for its surrounding beaches (Profitis Ilias, Alkyona, Mesi, Kageles and Molyvoti). The settlement of Maronia spreads over a vast area at the foot of Mount Ismaros. Several ancient monuments are excarved but others are still hidden throughout the olive groves and the mountainous landscapes of Ismaro.

History

Maroneia was founded in the mid-7th century BC on the slopes of Ismaros and soon developed into a prosperous and densely inhabited centre. Maroneia was close to the acient town of Ismaros, mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey. Some scholars identify Maroneia with his Ismaros. Homer has Odysseus plundering the city but sparing Maron, whom he identifies as a priest of Apollo. Maron presents Odysseus with a gift of wine, as well as with gold and silver. The strong wine was later used by him to numb the Cyclops. During the Classical period, the city had a strong fortification wall, 10 km long, from the coast up to the top of Ismaros. Maroneia was the largest and most important of all ancient Greek colonies of Western Thrace.

In the following centuries, under different rulers (Mazedonians, Romans, Byzantine), it prospered and was an important harbour town, but finally lost its importance in the late Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

Get in

By car

Leave the motorway Thessaloniki – Alexandroupolis at the slip road Komotini East and follow the signpostings for about 30 km.

By boat

The little harbour is a good resting point for sailing boats.

Get around

The distances of the points of interest are not so far apart that it cannot be made on foot, but especially in hot summer, a car or motorbike is of great help.

See

Ancient theatre

Roman Propylon

• 1 Ancient Theatre. It was constructed in the Hellenistic period and restructured in Roman times. The three rows of stone seats are still visible. It was partly renovated during last years. If you follow the dirt road for another 2 km, you come into a landscape with strange, big round rocks, reminiscent of erratic blocks. You should not miss it once you are in this area. (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 Gate of Hadrian. Built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, when he visited Maronia in 124-125 AD. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 Cave of Maronia (Cyclop's Cave) (On the 8th km of Maronia - Komotini Rd). You need a guide to visit this cave mentioned by Apollonio in his work "Argonautics". (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 West Wall of ancient Ismara. Hidden between olive trees in a nice surrounding; it's worth to drive along the few kilometres of bad dirt road. (updated May 2018)
• 5 Mesimvria archaeological site. Mesimvria was a colony of the inhabitants of the island Samothrace, built at the end of the 7th century BC. The city flourished in the 5th and 4th century BC. During the period of the Macedonian and later Roman rule it began to lose importance, as the construction of roads in the hinterland lowered the importance of the coastal city and it's harbour. On the excavation site, the remains of the fortress wall with towers, private houses, a road network, public buildings, a sanctuary of Demeter and an Apollo temple were found. The most important monuments of the excavation site are: 1) The Shrine of Demeter. Inside the building, silver, gold, silver and gilded relief panels were found, all connected to the Demeter cult, dated to the 4th century BC. 2) The archaic temple of Apollo. It was part of a larger building complex (35 x 45 m) with a central paved courtyard, surrounded by a stoa. Many ceramic fragments with engraved inscriptions from the 6th and 5th centuries BC were found inside the temple. (updated Jun 2018)
• 6 Temple of Dionysus. only the foundation walls of the temple have been preserved. (updated Mar 2021)
• 7 Megalithic gate of ancient Ismara. There is no marked road, but a 4x4 vehicle can drive about 700 meters near the site. Following the signs, it is a three-minute walk to the megalithic gate with its monolithic representations. If you go another 15 minutes to the right and follow the signs you will reach the ancient wine press. (updated Mar 2021)
• 8 Maronia castle ruins. The Byzantine city near the sea and the fortress was limited to a small part compared with the ancient Roman city. Only a tower of the fortress is visible. The original Roman fortress was used for many centuries, at least until the 13th century. (updated Mar 2021)
• 9 Acropolis of Petrota. A prehistoric citadel on the rocky hill of Saint George that rises above the village of Petrota, where the remains of a Byzantine wall and two round towers are located. The chronology of the Byzantine fortress is uncertain, most likely late Byzantine (13th or 14th century), but it is possible to be much older (6th or 7th century). On the hill there is a modern church of St. George. (updated Mar 2021)

Do

• Swimming. From Fanari in the west to Platanitis near Maronia, endless beautiful, uncrowded sandy beaches line up. (updated Jun 2018)

Buy

The area was once famous for its wine in antique times, but there is still wine production, and it's worth to try the local wine.

Eat

• 1 Fish Tavern "Gianna and Roula". A simple tavern near the harbour. (updated May 2018)
• 2 Stratos Tavern. At the harbour, with nice view over the sea. (updated May 2018)
• 3 Maronia Central Square. There are several nice restaurants around the central square, in the shade, under big trees. (updated May 2018)

Drink

Best places to have a drink in a relaxed environment is at the restaurants at the harbour mentionend above or at one of the beach bars up to Krioneri village.

Sleep

Fishing harbour

• 1 Dioni Hotel (5 km from modern Maroneia), ☏ +30 25330 61101. A 3-star hotel. 18 double rooms (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 King Maron Beach Hotel, ☏ +30 2531 306900. A 3-star hotel. 54 rooms and a swimming pool. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 Kryoneri Campsite, ☏ +30 694 427 5629. (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 Ismaros Hotel, ☏ +30 25330 61200. (updated Feb 2016)

Go next

• Alexandroupolis
• Samothrace Island
• Thasos Island
• Komotini
• Kavala