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Explore

the landscape,
the rocks and
the nature
of Southern
Thassos.
Find out
its history and
civilisation.

Southern

THASSOS

PROJECT: DESIGNATION
OF GEOSITES - GEOPARKS, CONTRIBUTION
TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

BACKGROUND ON THE AREA

Toumba overthrust

The Southern Thassos area is


formed by metamorphosed
rocks of the Rhodopi
Massif and of sedimentary
Miocene formations.
It combines geological,
mineral, archaeological
and environmental sites
of great interest to all
visitors. Thassos island is
justly considered the main
tourist attraction of Eastern
Macedonia and Thrace.

Ancient quarries at Archangelos

BIF occurrence

3rd COMMUNITY SUPPORT FRAMEWORK


PROGRAMME (2000-2006)
OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME COMPETITIVENESS
CO-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY & MINERAL EXPLORATION


DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL GEOLOGY & GEOLOGICAL MAPPING

Spyros Louis 1, Olympic Village, Entrance C, 136 77 Acharnai, Attica


Tel.: +30 210 2413175 FAX : + 30 210 2413448 www.igme.gr
The series Geotrails in Greece is a pilot publication of the Greek Institute of Geology and
Mineral Exploration (IGME) with funding by the 3rd Community Support Framework for
the project: Designation of geosites-geoparks, contribution to sustainable development
and the sub-project: Creating interpretative material for promotion, marketing and community awareness on geosites-geoparks. The trails were traced in 2008, within the scope
of the sub-project Planning of walking and motoring geotrails for potential geoparks.
During the planning of the series Geotrails", several similar attempts were used as reference,
such as the series Landscapes from stone, a joint publication by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and the Geological Survey of Ireland, ProGEO Croatia brochures for the Island of
Rab, and relevant printed material.
FIELD RESEARCH, TEXTS, PHOTOGRAPHS: N. Epitropou, IGME Regional Branch for Eastern

Macedonia and Thrace, Brokoumi 30 671 00 Xanthi Tel.: +30 25410 28218-19 FAX: +30
25410 22187 e-mail: igmexan@otenet.gr
PROJECT COORDINATION, DESIGN, EDITING: I. Theodossiou, IGME, ren@igme.gr
Department of General Geology and Geological Mapping, dggx@igme.gr
Director of the Department: P. Tsombos
Maps compilation with G.I.S.: E. Kleisiouni
DESIGN, EDITING, PRODUCTION: Kaleidoscope publications, www.kaleidoscope.gr

ISBN 978-960-98903-3-5

Copyright IGME, Geotrails 2009

HOW TO USE THE CARDS


The trails described in the cards
have been designed to let you
know some key points in the
geological history of the area,
all intimately connected with its
cultural history. The 4 introductory
cards briefly outline the natural,
cultural and geological heritage of
the area, while the 5 rest of the
cards describe the respective trails.
Some of the routes are designed
to be covered by car, whereas
others are meant to be completed
on foot. Each card describes one
trail and the paragraphs that begin
with a letter (A, B...) contain
instructions on how to reach a site,
whereas the numbered paragraphs
(1, 2...) provide mainly information
on the geological interest of a
location (geosite). The same letters
and numbers that are seen on the
map refer to the instructions and
the interpretative texts.
Maps of the cards are indicative
and simplified. The 1:50,000
topographic map is an essential
tool for your hike, and you could
also use the relevant geological
map (Thassos sheet). Some of
the geotrails concentrate one
one particular topic, while others

cover more than one topics.


The coloured geotrails that are
traced on the map (one colour for
each trail) are not currently fully
marked outdoors. The geotrails
will eventually be marked on
the spot (signs with the logo in
the same colour as the trail on
the cards; initially, the signs will
be brief, bearing a number and
the name of the geotrail and
the geosite and, later, they will
include further interpretative
information) at the points of
interest described in these cards.
That is why it is a good idea to
observe carefully the route you
are covering, for relevant signs.
Before you set off, make sure you
read all the commentary in the
cards regarding your route. All the
trails are relatively easy. What you
need is a car in good condition,
appropriate clothing, hiking boots,
some equipment (e.g. walking stick,
torch...), water, food and good
company.
In order for you to acquire a
better understanding of the area,
four different geotrails have been
designed, covering the entire area
and its most important sights.

USEFUL INFORMATION
This first pilot attempt at tracing
geotrails focused on the geotrails
running along existing roads or
open paths with a minimum of
marking.
In a few cases, the geosites at the
core of the trails may be located

Tripiti beach

within private, archaeological


or protected sites. Geohikers
should behave accordingly in each
case, respect the rights of the
landowners or the rules of the
sites and try to maintain them in
the best condition possible.

Submarine slumping

CODE OF CONDUCT OF THE RESPONSIBLE HIKER


When you hike along a trail, keep in mind that this is a, public or private,
protected area. The environment is a source of knowledge, fitness, pleasure
and recreation on condition that you treat it with care. It is, therefore,
desirable to follow some basic rules.

Car in good condition,


preferably 4 x 4.
Park carefully, so that you do
not obstruct entry to or exit
from a place.

Be careful
when lighting fires!
If you see fire burning,
call the fire brigade (199)
immediately.

Do not damage
fences or walls.

Do not leave any waste


material behind.

Avoid aimlessly collecting


minerals or fossils.
Mineral and fossils are more
valuable when encountered in
their natural context.

Wear clothing that is


appropriately warm or cool,
depending on the time of
year. Use walking footwear
(preferably hiking boots).

Use the geologist's


hammer
wisely.

If an accident occurs, notify


emergency services (166)
immediately.
WARNING

Hikers who wish to cover the trails that we propose should know that they are doing so
at their own risk. IGME will bear no responsibility for any events that might occur.

For information, publications, studies and maps on the geology of Greece or of specific
Greek regions, contact INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL EXPLORATION OF GREECE.
Evaluation form of this publication is to be found at http://www.igme.gr
Your opinion will be very helpful for its improvement.

MAP OF THE AREA OF INTEREST


WITH THE SUGGESTED GEOTRAILS

Natural and cultural heritage of the area

The islands natural and geoarchaeo-mining heritage is


extremely rich and varied.
Thassos is characterised by an
abundance of natural mineral
resources, which account for the
presence of abandoned mines.
The mines were active from
ancient times until the 1950s,
turning out basic and valuable
metals, iron ore and decorative
materials (marbles). As a matter
of fact, the mining gallery located
at Tzines is a unique testimony of
what could possibly be the most
ancient mining gallery in Europe.
Besides its mineral wealth, and
obviously due to it, Thassos

presents a great variety of


representative geological sites or
geosites. It is, therefore, an open
book of geology that holds many
keys to the interpretation of
Rhodopis geological history.
World-class geoscientists have
studied the geology of Thassos

The overthrust surface at Fari

Ancient Pb Zn quarries at Koumaria

in the last few years, publishing


numerous scientific papers.
The island is a regular destination
of people with a special interest
in geology and it can become a

The Koumaria iron mine

of the island. The archaeological


monuments of Thassos most
of which are directly connected
with its mineral history
along with its remarkable

Palataki at Limenaria

popular destination of organised


geotourism for larger groups, if
proper attention and promotion
is provided for its geosites, as
well as for its geomineral and
geoarchaeological sites.
Its lush forests, intense
geomorphology and amazing
beaches yet another advantage

The most ancient mining gallery


in Europe, at Tzines

Archaeological Museum at
Limenas constitute an excellent
attraction for cultural tourism.

Banded iron formations

A FEW WORDS
ABOUT GEOLOGY

4
From a geological point of view,
Thassos belongs to the crystalline
schistose Rhodopi Massif and is
formed by alternating marbles,
gneisses and schists, as the
mainland across it. Its marbles
are equivalent to the marbles of
Mount Falakro, in the Drama area,
which belong to the Rhodopi
Massif, as well.
The limited presence of the
Serbomacedonian Massif, which
is overthrust upon the Rhodopi
Massif, can only be inferred
in certain parts of Southern
and Southwestern Thassos,
thus rendering them a point
of interest (geosites) for our

geotrails. Therefore, the island of


Thassos was once part of the
mainland and is made up of the
same alternations of gneisses and
marbles, with numerous minerals
and dense accumulations of lead,
zinc, iron and manganese in the

Isoclinal fold/fault
at the Alyki area

abandoned mines at Vouves and


Mavrolakkas. Valuable metals are
mainly found inside the marble.
These rocks date back to the
Palaeozoic era (at least 400
million years ago), whereas their
metamorphism and tectonics
date back to the Mesozoic era.
In SW Thassos, there are more
recent sediments, dating back to
the Miocene (25 million years
ago), formed by conglomerates,
sandstones and argillaceous
sediments. The tectonics of
Thassos is extremely interesting.
There are three sites where one
can observe what is thought
to be the overthrust of the
Serbomacedonian Massif onto the
Rhodopi Massif. In many parts of
the island, there are important
occurrences of BIF-Banded Iron
Formations, a unique geological
testimony to the presence of the
earlier mineralisation of Rhodopi
(120 million years ago, Amov,
1992). Mineralisation appears
layered and metamorphosed, with
a particularly rich paragenesis of
Fe-Mn minerals.
Deposits of this kind are classified
as being of volcano-sedimentary
origin and are very rich in iron
and manganese oxides. The
structure of these formations
(BIF) encompasses repeated thin

Ancient marble quarries


at Archangelos

layers of iron oxides, alternating


with layers of schists and cherts.
Some of the most ancient rocks
of the Earth (3,000,000,000 years
old, 3 Ga), contain Banded Iron
Formations, whereas later rocks
do not normally contain such
formations. These formations
belong to the geological
formations known by the generic
term rythmites and are associated
with the climatic changes marking
the history of the Earth.
Furthermore, the numerous
open pit mines for mining iron,
and lead and zinc deposits, as
well as the renowned white
dolomitic marble, render Thassos
a place of particular geo-mineral
interest that allows scientists and
other people to directly observe
geological phenomena. In short,
Thassos could be an ideal geoarchaeo-mining park; the suggested
geotrails attempt to showcase
part of it.

The Pb Zn (calamine) open pit mine at the Vouves mine

GEOTRAIL 1

Skala Marion - Alyki

This geotrail, spanning approximately across 30 km, covers the Southwestern


and Southern part of Thassos and for its most part follows the islands
circumferential paved road. This geotrail is accessible by car.

A. At approximately 1 km in
the East of the village Skala
Marion, there is a sign by the
Archaeological Council, bearing
the name Fari and leading to
the excavations where the ancient
pottery was unearthed. The
visitor can stop near the fenced
archaeological site by the sea and
observe the first site of this geotrail
which is of geological interest.

1. The overthrust surface at Fari


(Scala Marion)

1. It is a typical overthrust
surface (photo 1), where rocks of
the Serbomacedonian Massif are
thrust onto the Rhodopi Massif, i.e.
the gneisses and green rocks of the
Serbomacedonian Massif are thrust
onto the marbles of the Rhodopi
Massif. The rocks date from
the Palaeozoic era, whereas the
metamorphism and the overthrust
date from the Mesozoic era. The
overthrust can be observed in
three sites along our trail, while on
the continental side it is observed
at the Pyrgos Apollonias site and in
the area Northwards of Ofrynio.

B. The second site of geological


interest can be reached by moving
Eastwards at a distance of 5 km
from the previous site.
2. Tripiti beach is a unique

sample of a geological formation


eroded by the surf beat. The
beach is the destination of many
tourists during the summer
months. The site is adjacent to
Limenaria, the old mines, as well
as to other geosites of the area,
a fact which makes it a potential
geotourist attraction.

C. The third site of geological


interest, a geosite with
characteristic structure, can be
reached by moving Eastwards, to
a distance of 1 km from the
previous site and 1.5 km before
Limenaria.

3. Submarine slumping
(photo 2). The slumping
phenomenon is observed in the
Miocene conglomerates that
cover extensively this area; it was

2. Submarine landslide with characteristic


slumping structures

5. Toumba overthrust surface

3. Palataki at Limenaria

revealed by the section made


during the opening up of the
circumferential provincial road
of Thassos. The invocation and
withdrawal of the sea can also be
seen very clearly.

D. Moving on, on the Eastern edge


of Limenaria, we can see Palataki
(Little palace, photo 3), a building
constructed in 1905, which used
to be the headquarters of the
Speidel mining company. Then, we
see a block of industrial buildings,
a contemporary of Palataki,
which the locals call Metalleia
(Mines) (photo 4). It used to be the
processing plant where the Pb-Zn
deposits of Thassos were roasted
to produce zinc oxide. While still
travelling on the circumferential
Thassos road, in a short distance
from Limenaria, we can admire the
next site of geological interest, at the
Panorama site.

4. Overthrust surface at
Toumba (photo 5). It is the
second site where the overthrust
mentioned in geosite 1 can be
observed; it is the most typical

4. The metallurgical plant Metalleia


for the production of ZnO

overthrust in Rhodopi. In this site,


as in the previous one, the rocks
of the Serbomacedonian Massif are
thrust onto the Rhodopi Massif.

E. Moving Northwards on the road


and turning a little to the left, into
a forest road, we reach the largest
calamine mine in Thassos, after
travelling 1 km.

5. Calamine mine at Vouves


(photo 6). Calamine is the name
of sulphuric zinc compounds.
At this site, we can observe the
ore in the form of replacement
veins and pockets, of hydrothermal
origin, within the carbonate rocks
(marbles). The ore used to be
transported from this site to the
Metalleia plant to be processed.
The site of the mine, the
metallurgical plant and Palataki
have been designated as protected
sites by the Ministry of Culture,
following the sustained efforts
of IGME.

F. Moving Eastwards for 3 km,


after Potos, we reach the Astris
agglomeration, where a forest road,
on the right of the circumferential
road that we are travelling on, leads
us to the next site of observation,
1.5 km away.

6. The Pb-Zn (calamine) open pit mine


at the Vouves mine

GEOTRAIL 1

Skala Marion - Alyki (continued )

6
6. Cape Salonikios overthrust,

(photo 7). It is the third site


where the overthrust surface can
be observed and it is located on
the Western side of the Cape,
extending for 600 m along the
coastline.
Certain geological observations
and the research conducted in the
area have raised some questions
and a new field for geological
research.

G. Moving Eastwards, we reach


Archangelos monastery, which
is located in the area where the
ancient marble quarries begin to
appear. The area encompasses
over 70 ancient quarries,
which form a cluster covering
approximately 7 km2. Marble

exploitation went on constantly


from the 5th century B.C. to the
12th century A.D. (photos 8 and 9).
The geosite we are going to visit
next was the hub where all that
activity used to take place.

7. Cape Salonikios
overthrust surface

8-9. Ancient marble quarries at Archangelos

7. Ancient quarries at the


Alyki Cape (photos 10 and 11).
The signs of quarrying are evident
on the white, translucent marbles,
which supplied the materials for
works of art, monuments and
numerous ancient temples, from

in sea level, as well as about


changes in mining techniques
through the ages.

H. On the road to site 7, another


site of interest is localized, at the
Thimonia Bay.

10-11. Ancient marble quarries at Alyki

ancient times to the present


a significant contribution to
culture, to art and to technology.
The beauty of the landscape with
its carved forms and its mounds
of old debris, as if conceived by
abstract art, stuns because of the
inexplicable austerity of the stone.
The multi-faceted geometric
surfaces resulting from the
marble extraction and the natural
walls resulting from tectonics,
with the landmarks of human
exploitation, provide information
about geology, tectonics, variations

8. Calamine mine (photo 12).


It is the only known mine at sea
level, where zinc was exploited.

12. The calamine mine of Thimonia

GEOTRAIL 2

Skala Marion Maries

The distance from the seaside location Skala Marion to Maries in the
hinterland is approximately 12 km to the North-East. We are going to
visit the Koumaria and Koupanada mines. Bear in mind that these sites
can only be reached by travelling on an off-road vehicle, and that some
walking activity is involved.

A. We set off from the paved


road running between Skala
Marion and Maries and we turn
left at Agios Eleftherios.
We drive for approximately 1
kilometre to the North-West,
towards the first site of interest
of this geotrail.

13. The Koumaria mine gallery

1. Koumaria mines (photos 13, 14, to be the second larger calamine

15). These mines are located amid


the marbles of the area (Kastro
marbles). The mineralisation of the
marbles vary from site to site, with
ores such as iron, manganese, lead
and zinc. The Koumaria mines used
14-15. The iron mine of Koumaria
during the period of exploitation
(1950-1960)

(lead -zinc ores) mine. At the same


site, an iron mine was developed
during the 1950s.

B. We return to the paved road


and follow it in the direction of

Maries. Moving Eastwards, we


reach the second point of interest
within a distance of 2 km.

2. Koupanada iron mine (photo


16) is located amid the marbles
of the area, as the mine we have
just visited, but the ore mined

here was iron from the sulphuric


minerals of paragenesis.
Moving Northwards, we reach the
traditional Maries village, one of
the oldest and most typical villages
of the island. It is a mountainous
village, built high up in a ravine
between two mountain slopes.

16. Fe-mine at Koupanada

GEOTRAIL 3

Limenaria Mavrolakkas Kastro

The geotrail Limenaria - Kalyvia - Kastro is one of the best known trails to
visitors, because of the traditional village of Kastro, which is linked to the
geosite. The geotrail can be covered by car, except for the Mavrolakkas and
Tzines, where you should use an off-road vehicle and do some walking.

A. We set off from Limenaria


and cross Kalyvia, where there is
a private Archaeological Museum,
owned by Doctor Papageorgiou.
Then, after travelling 3 km on a
forest road, we reach the entrance
of the iron mine, the point of
interest of our geotrail.

1. Mavrolakkas mine (photo

17) for iron mining in the 1950s. It


is a huge surface of exploitation.
The ore deposit created by the
circulation of hydrothermal fluids
is to be found in the form of veins
and lenticular accumulations within
the marbles, alternating with

17. The Mavrolakkas iron mine

18. The most ancient addit in Europe, at Tzines

gneisses. Along with the iron mine


deposits on the island of Serifos, it
is one of the most interesting iron
deposits in Greece.

2. On the Southern side, namely at


the Tzines site, we can see what
is probably the most ancient
mining gallery in Europe (photo
18), which dates back to 18,000 ago
and has been the object of research
and papers by many scientists. It is
an ochre mining gallery.
B. Moving on, we reach Kastro,
whose main attractions are the 14th
century church (during the Genovese

Gateluzzi rule) and the ancient


cemetery. The view from Kastro
is spectacular with Mount Athos
bordering the West.
3. Travertine of Kastro
(photo 19). Travertine deposits of
remarkable thickness and extent,
formed by the precipitation of
calcium carbonate from rapidly
flowing water. Accumulations
of calcium carbonate around
vegetation leads to the formation
of travertine rocks that show a
characteristic porous appearance,
inherited from the plants that have
since decomposed.

19. Traditional settlement of Kastro where travertine layers are distinguished

GEOTRAIL 4

Skala Sotiros Sotiras

The geotrail can be covered by car, except for the Sotiras mine, where
you should use an off-road vehicle and do some walking.

A. From Skala Sotiros, on


the West side of the island,
we can visit the old Sotiras village.
One kilometre before the village,
there is a geosite of particular
interest along the paved road.

1. BIF occurrences (photos


20 and 21).These occurrences
are of great importance, as
they are a unique geological
testimony to the presence of
the earlier mineralisation of
Rhodopi (120 million years ago).
The mineralisation is layered
and metamorphosed, with
particularly rich paragenesis of
Fe-Mn minerals.

B. Then, moving Eastwards on


the forest road, we can visit an
important mine.

22. Calamine mine at Sotiras

2. Calamine mine at Sotiras


(photo 22). It used to be one
of the most important mining
centres at the beginning of the
last century.

20-21. Occurrences of Banded Iron Formation (BIF)

Tripiti beach

Cape Salonikios overthrust surface

Ancient marble quarrie at Alyki

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