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| Dadia Lefkimi Souflion National Park | ||
| prefecture | Evros | |
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| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | unknown | |
| no value for height on Wikidata: | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
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Dadia National Park also called Dadia-Lefkimi-Souflion NP, is a national park in Greece.
background
history
The area was declared a national park in 2003 and is at the stage of preliminary recognition as a UNESCO world cultural heritage. It is a rare example of the ecologically compatible coexistence of humans and nature. Thousands of years of human habitation combined with low intensity use of natural resources have contributed to the development of a rich habitat mosaic that is the key factor in the high biodiversity of the area, with unique and rare species of flora and fauna.
landscape
The Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park is located at the south-eastern end of the Rhodope Mountains, at the crossroads of two continents, and is of exceptional ecological importance at the European level. It is characterized by a rich habitat mosaic in a hilly landscape and extends over an area of 42,800 hectares in the Evros prefecture. Old forests, rocky elevations, meadows and fields scattered in the forest as well as many gorges with rich bank flora offer a variety of suitable nesting and feeding habitats for many different species. Geologically, the northern part of the DNP is dominated by tertiary ophiolite complexes, while the south consists mainly of paleogenic volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Flora and fauna
The park is located on the far eastern edge of a huge forest area that stretches along the Rhodope Mountains to the west and north. In the area of the national park pine trees dominate, which form extensive coniferous forests of Pinus brutia, whereby P. nigra can be found in the lowest areas of its known distribution, but mixed forests and deciduous forests also occur to a large extent. Its particular geographic location also contributes to the park's great biodiversity, as it is here that European and Asian flora and fauna meet, where several European species reach their southern limits of expansion while at the same time forming the westernmost limit of several Asian species. Around 360-400 plant species (including 25 orchids), 104 butterfly species, 12-13 amphibian species, 29 reptile species, 60-65 mammal species (including 24 bat species) and more than 200 bird species can be found in the area of the national park.
climate
The park is located in a transition zone between Mediterranean and continental climates
getting there
Leave the motorway at the Adrinai exit and follow the signs to Soufli and follow the main road to Likofos. After about 2 km the exit to the national park is signposted.
Fees / permits
The park can be visited free of charge
mobility
The area can hardly be explored by public transport or only with a great expenditure of time, so that a vehicle is the only sensible option. The routes in the national park are particularly attractive for motorcycle or mountain bike riders.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park Information Center
- Silk Museum. in Soufli.
- Gnafala Folklore Museum. in Soufli.
- Art of Silk Museum. in Soufli.
- 1 Didimoticho (Διδυμότειχο Έβρου).
The place was founded as Plotinoupolis in the 7th century AD by the Romans. Because of its strategic location, the place was heavily fortified, especially during the Eastern Roman-Byzantine period. The place got the name Didymoticho because of the double city wall (Greek didymos tichos δίδυμος τείχος, twin wall ‘). The decline of the city began with the crusades and the destruction, among others by Emperor Barbarossa, and in the following period with destruction by Bulgarian and Byzantine troops until it finally fell into Ottoman hands in 1361. Didymoticho then belonged to the Ottoman Empire without interruption until 1912, changed hands during the 2 Balkan Wars and came to Greece in 1919. Agia Petra rises between the city's train station and the Erythropotamos and Evros rivers. Excavations revealed that this place was part of the ancient city of Plotinoupolis is. The ruins of the ancient settlement can be viewed there today. The excavations are ongoing and the finds are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Komotini. The main attractions include the Castle and the Fortifications of the medieval Didymoticho with the Princess tower. During the Ottoman rule, the Christian population, i.e. the Greeks, Armenians and Bulgarians, lived “above” (= inside the castle), while the Muslim residents of the city lived “below”, around the mosque. Inside the city walls is the Old town. The Byzantine Church of Saint Ekaterini and the historic Church of Saint Georgios Palaeokastritis are located here. At the Çelebi-Sultan Mehmed Mosque, the construction of which began under Murad I (1326-1389) and was completed under Bayezid I (1347-1402), it is the oldest mosque in Europe. You can also visit the complex of Turkish Hammam from the 15th century and that mausoleum des Oruç Paşa (Ορούτς Πασά), which is located directly behind the current town hall of the city. Also worth it Byzantine Museum, the Folklore Museum and the Military museum a visit. The Stalactite cave from Vouva, at the beginning of the route from Didymoteicho to Mount Koufovouno with unique bat colonies.
- 1 Pythion Castle (Empythion). The castle of Pythio, one of the most important and best preserved examples of military architecture in Greece, was also called Empythion in Byzantine times and was famous for its impregnable walls. It is located on a low hill on the northeastern edge of the village of Pythio, near the Evros River, very close to the Turkish border. Built between 1330 and 1340, it was of short use to the Byzantines. It was one of the first fortresses that the Turks conquered when they invaded Europe. Later a village was built around the castle.
- 2 Mikra Doxipara burial site (Ταφικός Τύμβος Μικρής Δοξιπάρας). Tomb from the 2nd century AD with some objects from this period.
activities
- hike
- Bird watching
shop
Who about Alexandroupolis arrives, you will find the best shopping opportunities in the area. You can buy little things in a mini market in town or in the nearby town Soufli. It is worth shopping in 80 km away Edirne To go to Turkey, as there is an outstanding offer in the bazaar and in the shops.
kitchen
There are 2 taverns in the village of Dadia:
- 1 Simos Taverna
- 2 Folia tou Pelargo (Η ΦΩΛΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΕΛΑΡΓΟΥ - ΜΠΑΜΠΑΚΑ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΑ)
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
- 1 Forest Inn Ecotourism Hotel. Hotel in the national park at the tourist information center.Price: around 70 euros / night.
camping
- 2 Camping Alexandropolis. large campsite in Alexandropolis by the sea.
security
There is hardly any crime in Dadia's rural surroundings. You should watch out for snakes when walking away from the main paths, the very poisonous horned viper lives especially on rocky ground.
trips
- Edirne: big city in Turkey with a famous mosque
- Evros Delta: worth seeing river delta with a lot of bird species
- Samothrace- Island: not crowded with tourists and of great natural beauty
