In ancient times the most important thing in Samothraki was the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, whose mystery cult was pre-Greek in origin and grew to be second in importance only to the mysteries of Elefsis. As so often happened the buildings were plundered in later times, and little remains now, but at least one can see and admire the very fine workmanship of the surviving walls, with each piece of stone fitting perfectly into place.

Probably the most famous work to survive is the statue of Winged Victory, discovered by a French consul in 1861 and taken to the Louvre. There are different theories as to why the Victory was made, but what is certain is that it stood on the prow of a marble ship, and was erected above a pool in such a way that its reflection gave the impression that it was sailing across water. The sanctuary is also important as the site of the historic first meeting of Philip, King of Macedonia, and his wife Olympia. But for that meeting Alexander the Great would not have come into existence.