Maries

Maries is a mountainous village situated almost in the center of Thassos, slightly to the west. It is in a stunningly beautiful location, 40 kilometers from Limenas Thassos and 27 kilometers from Skala Prinou. Maries stands at an altitude of 200 meters, which is also the number of permanent residents living there today. 

To reach the village, you'll need a vehicle, whether your own or a rental, or you can take a taxi. However, there are also bus services, but it's better to check the schedule upon arriving on the island, as they don't run frequently and typically operate only in the morning and early afternoon hours.

The village's name often piques visitors' curiosity, who frequently ask about its origins. According to locals, there are three possible explanations: The first suggests that the village had many women named Maria, while the second that two women named Maria were the only survivors of a pirate raid. The third theory is related to a variation of the word "mouries," referring to a type of tree abundant in the area.

In this village, it feels as though time has stood still. Its location, tucked deep within the island's interior, has shielded it from tourist development, allowing it to retain its traditional characteristics. Of course, you still have plenty of reasons to visit. 

When arriving in Maries, one can admire the unique architecture of Thassos's mountain villages and taste authentic traditional Thassian cuisine, such as the roasted goat dish served in local taverns.

If you come on August 15th, you'll witness the celebration of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos. There is a church that was built in 1813 and houses a miraculous hagiography of the Virgin Mary. The monastery is located between Maries and Skala Maries. Additionally, another point of interest for visitors interested in religious tourism is the village's church dedicated to the Synaxis of the Archangels, built in 1800. Every September, a bean soup festival featuring local wine, music, and dance takes place in the church's courtyard.

The beautiful Orthodox Christian architecture and the unique atmosphere accompanying them make the churches of Thassos a destination appreciated by all kinds of visitors, whether they've come for religious or general tourism.

The village's natural beauty is monumental, and, like Potamia, it offers hiking trails for nature lovers. Near Maries lies the island's only lake, which, although artificial, is surrounded by rich vegetation and is worth visiting. Furthermore, the area has three waterfalls, with one being rather hard to access. There's also a specially designed recreation area with benches to relax and enjoy a picnic. However, swimming, fishing, and lighting fires are prohibited, as the site is densely forested with pine trees.

Near Maries, you'll find Skala Maries Beach, Atspas Beach, and Platana Beach, which you can easily visit. Most of the island's visitors prefer to stay in the coastal villages and take trips to the mountainous areas of Thassos, as there are more options for hotels and rooms to let. In the past, there were few to no alternative accommodation solutions in most mountain villages, but now infrastructures are being developed to cater to visitors who prefer to stay in the mountains and visit the beach rather than the other way around.