Maries
Maries
Just 12 km northeast of its coastal sister village Skala Maries, one can find this enchanting mountain village, Maries (mah-ri-E-s). It is one of the oldest villages of Thassos and it is located in a deep ravine, where formerly there were iron mines.
The original site of the village was on the hill opposite, where the famous Monastery of Panagouda stands today, but it moved during the Middle Ages to its present location for fear of pirates.
As one approaches the village following the only road which goes there, one will find the Monastery of Panagouda on the left-hand side. Visitors can see here an icon of the Virgin Mary, a priceless treasure of the monastery, among other relics. On the north side of the monastery, the chapel of John the Baptist is a true masterpiece.
Read MoreThe village church is located near the village square, the location of an ancient mulberry tree. It was built in 1800 and is dedicated to the Gathering of the Archangels. It’s said to be one of the oldest churches on the island.
In the village square, a stop to taste the wonderful ice cold water from neighbouring mountain springs and to sample the famous roast lamb served by the surrounding family-run tavernas is strongly recommended.
On August 15, during the Feast of the Assumption, there is a folk festival that isn’t to be missed, where locals and visitors celebrate and have a great time together.
Follow the signs out of the village and continue upwards to arrive at one of the most unique natural attractions of the island – a mountain lake. With its small waterfall, and set in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty in the woods, the Thassian Forest Association has developed a beautiful and functional picnic area. Lovers of hiking, of gentle wild animals and of the natural environment can continue to immerse themselves in nature as this road leads to the top of the tallest mountain of Thassos, Ipsarion, which stands 1,204 metres tall.
Maries has very good accommodation for those who find this as the perfect holiday destination. For the rest, a day trip is a must!
No one knows which is true, but the locals speak of many origins of this sleepy village's name...
- The fact that the village had several women named Mary.
- After a pirate invasion, the destruction of the village and massacre of its residents, only two women survived and both were named Mary.
- The village had many mulberry trees and the name of this plant sounds identical to Maries - ‘mouries’.
But, regardless of the reasons for naming this beautiful mountain village, it is still one of the prettiest in the interior of the island where the world seems to completely stop as one visits it.
