SETTING THE SCENE:
Sprawling ancient city walls thread their way up the hillside high above the modern double harbour of Limenas Town to the hilltop ruins of a castle and acropolis.
The extensive ruins are scattered along a narrow terrace that runs the length of a crescent ridge nearly 140 metres above the Thassos port capital of Limenas.
The steep wood-carpeted bluff, criss-crossed with defensive walls, offered former islanders a good hideaway to escape marauding pirates as a well as providing a natural look-out post over the sea to the mainland at Keramouti.
The remains are pretty widely spread out over the hillside so holiday visitors to Thassos should pack a few provisions if they want to visit all the sites.
On the higher levels are the remains of ancient temples to Athena and Pan while the lower level has an impressive Roman amphitheatre that once accommodated 3,000 spectators.
(SORUCE: GREEKISLAND.CO.UK)
THE ACROPOLIS CASTLE RUINS:
Woodland takes over as the visitor ascends the hill to the extensive if scattered, ruins of a former castle. Only a few structures remain among the terraced walls.
Work on the castle started in Byzantine times and completed in the 15th century by the Genoese ruling family of Gattilusi. The remains of a couple of fortress towers and a church lie within the castle area.
The ruins of encircling houses suggests that Thassos islanders may have lived here as late as the 17th century, presumably to avoid the attention of pillaging pirates.
(SORUCE: GREEKISLAND.CO.UK)
THE CACHE:
This cache takes you slightly off the beaten path to a forgotten wonder: The Acropolis Castle Ruins. The best trail to this magical place is probably taken from the small church of Ekklisia dio Apostoli. The path going up the hill behind the church to your left will take you past the old Roman Emphitheater. Just follow the path along the scattered and rusty lamp post uphill and you will reach the Castle Ruins. Enjoy the marvelous view on the blue waters below as you walk up. Don't stop your journey when you found the cache! Follow the path further on to the ruins of the temple of Athena until you reach the top of the peak at a flagpost. From here you could find an easy path down to the town of Limenas as well. Enjoy!
You might want to wear some proper shoes! The total tour shouldn't take you more then 90min if you take it easy!
