 Skopelos island | Skopelos is the greenest island in Greece. Here, where the green of the pine-trees and the dense forest mix with the deep blue of sea and sky, creating the picture of unrivalled nature beauty, you will find yourself in an idyllic land, in a small paradise in the very heart of Greece. Because the island of Skopelos is defined by lush green forest and the blue of the sea the International Organization of Biopolitics, on July the 5th 1997, officially proclaimed it "Green and Blue Island". More than 50% of the island area is covered by a virgin forest of pine-trees. A forest which, when you visit Skopelos, will also need your love and care in order to maintain the natural beauty and ecological balance that has survived for nearly 4000 years. Similarly the town of Skopelos, by presidential decree, (19/10/1978 Presidential Decree 594,13-11/78). was honored as a Traditional Settlement of outstanding beauty. (The Greek equivalent of a site of Outstanding Architectural Inheritance). Geographically Skopelos is an Aegean island situated in the central-northwest Aegean, east of Pelion and north of Evia. It has 67km of rich rugged coastline, being 17km long and 8km wide. The population is approximately 5.700 native Skopelitans and is the second largest island in the Northern Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skyros). The capital, one of the most picturesque of all island towns, is built on the slopes of a hill right on the sea. At its highest point lies the Kastro district with its remains of the Venetian castle erected by the Ghizi (13th c.). Here lived the modern Greek writer Pavlos Nirvanas; his house has been made into a museum. Here too are a ceramics workshop and the island’s famous ovens where plums are dried into prunes. Of the many lovely churches, most noteworthy are those of the Panayitsa, Agios Nikolaos and the Evangelistria (17th and 18th c.). The island is dotted with chapels and monasteries, the most important being the monasteries of the Evangelistria (18th c.), Agia Varvara (1648) and the Metamorphosis (1600). The beautiful beaches of Stafylos, Agnonta, Panormos and Velani can be reached either by car or caique. Generally speaking Skopelos is a delightful, wooded island offering both quiet pleasures and sophisticated attractions. |
| Skopelos History | Inhabited since the Mycenaean era (1600-1100 BC), Skopelos - the ancient Peparethos - became a colony of Chalkis (700 BC), passing to the Macedonians in 340 BC. Under the Byzantines it was a place of exile, while later it was taken over by the Venetian Ghizi family and joined to the Duchy of Naxos. Subsequently occupied by the Turks, it was freed during the War of Independence in 1821. It acquired its present name during the Hellenistic period. The island was inhabited probably in the Neolithic period. Its ancient name was Peparethos and is mentioned by the pre-Hellenic people of Asia Minor who settled in the Aegean region in the period 2800 - 2000 BC. This name is mentioned likewise by Thoukydides.Around 1600 BC Cretans whose leader was the mythical king Staphylos, son of Theseus and Ariadne, settled the island. As tradition reminds us, Theseus, son of Aegeas king of Athens, was sent with 7 young boys and 7 young girls to the Cretan king Minos, as a duty demanded by Athens, intended to be offered as sacrifice to the Minotaur (a strange creation of mythology, half man, half bull) who lived in the labyrinth underneath the palace of Knosos in Crete. There, Theseus became acquainted with Ariadne, Minos' daughter. Ariadne fell in love with him and helped him, giving him a ball of wool, to escape from the labyrinth and to survive. Theseus found the exit, kidnapped Ariadne and left Crete. ut on the island of Naxos he abandoned Ariadne who in her loneliness discovered the God Dionisos who in his turn fell in love with the girl and took her to Lemnos. In Lemnos Ariadne and Dionisos had four sons, Thoantas, Oinopionas, Staphylos and Peparithos. Peparithos was the first to settle on the island of Skopelos. Until today his name survives in this place full of olive trees and pine forests. At the end of Staphylos bay there is a peninsular. At the tip of this peninsular the tomb of King Staphylos was discovered containing his sword and many other artifacts, representing some of the most important finds of workmanship from the Mycenian and Minoan period. The sword handle is covered in gold, a precious sword for a precious king Staphylos.... |
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