Samothracia

Samothracia (modern Samothrace) was a mountainous island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, about 32 miles long and 6 miles broad, lying approximately 38 miles from the Thracian coast. Its name reflects its dual heritage from Samian and Thracian settlers. The island's central peak, Mount Fengari, rises to nearly 5,500 feet — the highest point in the Aegean — and was visible from a great distance, making the island an important navigational landmark. Paul passed by Samothracia on his first voyage to Europe following the Macedonian vision, sailing from Troas to Neapolis on the Macedonian coast (Acts 16:11). The ship ran before the wind and made the 150-mile crossing in a single day, stopping overnight at Samothracia before continuing to Neapolis the next day. From Neapolis Paul traveled inland to Philippi, where he would found the first European Christian congregation.