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Xanthi is located in the north of Greece, some 220 km east of Thessaloniki. It is close to the border with Bulgaria. One of the most beautiful cities. Cultural capital of Thrace.
The city was founded in the 11th century and has an oriental feel to it which may be due to the fact that the town has a significant muslim population. A stroll trhough the old town is the best way to spend an afternoon in Xanthi.
Prefecture Of Xanthi
- Area (sq.km): 1.793
- Population (2001): 101.510
- Population Density(hab/sq.km): 57
- Capital City: Xanthi
- Number of Hotels: 12
- Number of hotel Rooms: 991
Carnivals
- Name: Xanthi's Carnival
- Location: Xanthi
- Description: In Xanthi, during Carnival, people celebrate the revival of the old custom of Tzaros or Tzarous (female). According to local tradition, Tzaros or Tzarous was a human effigy, placed on top of a pile of holm-oak brush-wood. On the last Sunday of the Carnival, it is burnt in the open, in a square or on a hill, so that they would not have fleas during summer. This custom was brought by refugees from Samakov in Eastern Thrace and is re-enacted each year by the inhabitants of the Samakov village, near the bridge over the River Kosynthos at Xanthi. The word Tzaros comes from the particular noise of burning wood (the sizzling sound). Immediately, after a fantastic fireworks demonstration follows.
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