Skyros - Σκύρος

^{Click here to see the map of the area in full screen}.

THE Skyros is the southernmost island of the North Sporades. It is located east of it Of Evia, from which it is about 35 km away and is the largest island in the Sporades (210 sq. km.) with a population of 2,994 inhabitants. The island, for the most part, is mountainous mainly in the southeast, where there are the mountains Kochilas (792 m.), Koumari, Piriones and Fanoftis. The climate of the island is characterized by cool summers and mild winters with an average annual temperature of 17 degrees Celsius. To the west are the bays of Kalogria, Pefkos, Agios Nikolaos and Tristomos. On the west coast is the port of the island, Linaria. The capital of the island is Skyros (or Chora), located on the east coast. It is connected to Linaria by an 11 km long asphalt road, has a justice of the peace, a police station, a post office and a telegraph office, a high school, a lyceum and primary schools. Other settlements of Skyros are Magaza, Linaria and Loutro (rural settlement).

Generally

The inhabitants of the island are engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, handicrafts and resin collection. Skyros is famous for its small horses, marbles and livestock products. The most characteristic Skyrian handicraft is the embroidery and is used for the decoration of the household clothes and the Skyrian costume. The characteristic of Skyrian embroidery is the variety of themes and colors and the delicacy of the materials. The island is also famous for its art in furniture making. The peculiar Skyrian furniture can be found in the living rooms of Athens and other cities. Pottery is also interesting. Skyros still produces honey, plenty of fruit, mizithra and fine kefalotyri. Organized folk art workshops, such as wood carving, ceramics, basket weaving and ground flooring, exist in the capital and in Gialos.

History

Skyros in 1782

Tourist sites

Skyros: Click here to see a full screen map.

How to get there

From its port Κύμης

How to move

What to see

The tomb of the British poet Brooks

Brooks Square

On the island there are also several churches from the Middle Ages, such as that of Agios Georgios Skyrianos, on a high rock above the sea built, along with the monastery, by Nikiforos Fokas in the 10th century. The church of Panagia tou Kitsou and many others in the various monasteries are beautiful.

Entertainment

Beaches

Events

Skyrian Carnival carnival. It is one of the most authentic and interesting customs of Greece, which has remained unchanged over the centuries. In the celebrations of the trio, the custom of "Geros" and "Korella" prevails. The central figure is the "Old Man", who is dressed in a hairy black cape and wears a mask made of goat skin, while in the middle he has a belt with a bell of a herd. He is accompanied by "Korela" (who is a young man dressed in a traditional women's costume) and "Frangos" who wears a mask and a large bell in the middle. Groups of disguised people return to Chora dancing and singing, while the whole atmosphere evokes a Dionysian atmosphere, which is reinforced by the second part of the Skyrian Carnival, the custom of "Trata" which is nothing more than the recitation of satirical lyrics. video from the carnival of Skyria Carnival