St Paul's Jetty on Samothraki
Locals insist that this is the actual jetty where St Paul tied up his vessel on his overnight visit to the island
According to the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, Apostle Paul, at the start of his tour of Europe, spent his first night on the island of Samothraki (also called Samothrace), around 49 or 51 AD. This was the first ever time St Paul set foot in Europe.
He is said to have started from Troas after a vision he saw that called him to preach in Greece and Europe. Paul spent just a single night on Samothraki, came into contact with the residents, told them about Christianity and left the following day for Neapolis, now known as Kavala. The Orthodox Christians on the island have long been proud of this link to St Paul.
In the northern part of the island, where it is believed that he stayed, the “Shrine of Apostle Paul” was built in 2007 , to commemorate this event, It is about 7 km. from the port of Kamariotissa on the road to Therma Loutra, just outside the archaeological site of the much later 14th century Genoese defensive towers at Paleopoli.
However according to locals, a structure remains on the coastline which, it is claimed, was actually involved in the visit.
It is usually accepted that Paul approached Samothraki from the north of the island and locals insist that a stone built jetty that stretches out to sea from the beach nearest the shrine is the actual jetty that his boat tied up to. The truth of this is uncertain. The location would fit for this being associated with the Sactuary of the Great Gods, and thus being in existence at the time of Paul’s visit, but equally it could be associated with the Genoese defensive system. The lack of any information boards at the site or official publication seems to indicate that the official position is that the St Paul link is just a myth, but it makes a great story.
The intriguing little jetty runs out to sea from a steeply shelving pebble beach and forms a really comfortable entry point for snorkelling. Drop off the end of the jetty with a snorkel (it extends for some distance from the visible end, below water level) and it will be clear that the structure is indeed a very ancient one. Whether or not it is actually the same jetty that Paul used is not so clear but the locals are convinced it is so.
Even without the historic/religious connection it is well worth having a look. The marine life attracted by the protection provided by the jetty is great and you have a great chance of seeing dolphins just off the beach.
Know Before You Go
The jetty is not easy to find but it is just visible on the satellite view on Google maps.
Drive on the coast road from the ferry port of Kamariotissa towards Therma and look out to the coast on your left after about 6-8 km, you should see it.
In the 1990s Samothraki only had one hotel and one ATM on the whole island. It is starting to develop more but it is still rather a hidden gem. Well worth the visit. Whilst there, if you eat meat, do not miss the roast goat.
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