At the southern end of the island of Thassos is the peninsula of Aliki. On both sides of this isthmus there are two natural coves that have been used as harbors since ancient times.
The entire peninsula consists of solid white marble rock and was an open pit quarry throughout antiquity. Continuous quarrying has resulted in a large part of the peninsula being eroded almost to sea level. When the sea level drops, the salt remains in the depressions created by the carving of the marble volumes. These natural salt flats also gave the name Aliki to the area, a toponym attested from the late Byzantine era.
Traces of human habitation on the peninsula can be found as early as the 7th century BC in a cult cave in the eastern bay. The ancient sanctuary of Dioskouri was founded in this place, the ruins of which are located on the shore of the eastern bay. During the early Christian era and up to the 7th c. BC the worship at the site was continued by the Ancient Salt Quarries.
In recent times, a small settlement was developed where the inhabitants of Theologos lived temporarily during the olive harvest. Today, the entire peninsula has been designated an archaeological site.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
