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| Agios Efstratios | ||
| region | North Aegean | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 270 (2011) | |
| height | 298 m | |
| Tourist info | 30 22540 93210 http://www.agios-efstratios.gov.gr/ | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Agios Efstratios, called Ai Stratis (Άη Στράτης) by the inhabitants, is an island of North Aegean Islands in Greece.
background
The small, sparsely populated island (43 km², approx. 300 inhabitants), the 1.5 hours (30 km) by ferry from Lemnos and 80 km from Lesvos away is largely untouched by progress and mass tourism. The few inhabitants live in the only settlement on the island, which is also called Agios Efstratios. Although most of the houses were destroyed by an earthquake in 1968 and new buildings have replaced the previous structures, the village still retains its old Mediterranean charm. The island lives from fishing, agriculture, sheep breeding, cheese making, beekeeping and the sparse tourism in summer.
The island was since the 3rd millennium BC. inhabited. Due to constant pirate attacks, it was abandoned in the 15th century. A new settlement began in the middle of the 16th century on today's harbor bay. Between 1928 and 1963, numerous political prisoners were exiled to the remote island.
The island is of volcanic origin, most of the steep coastline is interspersed with cliffs and grottos. The hills reach a height of 300 m. In the immediate vicinity of Agios Efstratios there are numerous rock islands that are approached by fishermen and sailors, of which Daskalio, Velia and Agii Apostoli are the largest.
Agios Efstratios is more than 60% with the typical representatives of the Phrygana and Macchia covered. Only in the northeast there are scattered Valonea oaks (Walloon oaks, cork oaks). The cliffs and grottos are home to the rare Mediterranean monk seal. The entire island and the surrounding sea zone are a bird sanctuary that many migrating birds fly to as a stopover.
getting there
By plane
Agios Efstratios does not have an airport. The nearest airports are the airports of Kavala, Lesvos or Lemnos. From there, Agios Efstratios can be reached by ferry. For emergencies there is one north of the port 1 Helipad.
By boat
During the high season in summer there is a ferry from Lemnos almost every day (travel time about 2 hours), departing from Myrina port in the early afternoon. There are also regular ferry connections from the ports of Lavrio (Athens, travel time approx. 8 1/2 hours) and Kavala (via Lemnos, total travel time approx. 7 hours) with the shipping company Seajets, occasionally also from Thessaloniki (via Lemnos), Lesbos (via Lemnos) and Skiros. In the off-season and especially in winter when the sea is high, it can take more than a week before the next ferry arrives. It is therefore essential to inquire about the exact ferry times and weather conditions before starting your journey. The port of Ag. Efstratios cannot be approached in heavy swell.
Sailing boats: The only port is Agios Efstratos village. But there are some nice bays around the island for anchoring [1]. It is often used as a stopover to get from the east side of the Aegean Sea (Lesbos) to the Sporades to sail.
mobility
There are no taxis or buses on the island. Due to the small size of the island, the beaches can either be reached on foot or by bike, or you can bring a motorcycle from Lemnos / Lesbos on the ferry. Coming by car is not really worth it because of the high ferry costs. Most roads are gravel and will need either a 4WD or at least a high clearance car. There is a refueling facility in town.
Tourist Attractions
There are no really worthwhile sights. The Museum of Democracy, the ruins of the old village and the "Nikos Sialmas" monument in the extreme south of the island are worth a visit. People go to this island to enjoy peace and quiet and secluded beaches.
- 1 Agios Efstratios village,. the only place on the island with a port, restaurants, accommodation, shops.
- 1 Museum of Democracy, Agios Efstratios.
.The Museum of Democracy was built in 2007 in a building that originally served the Maraslios Logothetios School, until the earthquake in 1968 as an infirmary for political exiles or a community clinic. The building was so badly damaged by the earthquake that it had to be abandoned. It was restored from 2005 to 2007 and reopened as a museum in November 2007. The Museum of Democracy is the first public Greek museum to deal with a period of recent Greek history of vital political and social importance. The place chosen for this was the island of Ai-Stratis or Ayios Efstratios because it was a place of internment for political exiles for many years - from the early 1930s to 1943 and again from 1948 to 1963. - 2 Nikolaos Sialmas Monument. The monument to Nikolaos Sialmas is located on the southern tip of the island, the Cape of Tripti, today "Cape Sialmas". It is dedicated to Lieutenant Nikolaos Sialmas of the Greek Air Force, who died on June 18, 1992 when his plane crashed while intercepting Turkish F-16 fighter jets. The monument can also be seen from a great height.
- 3 St. Efstratios cave. with a beautiful view of the Neraki Bay.
Churches
As everywhere in Greece and especially on the islands, there are also many small chapels, some of which are hidden. Some of them offer the visitor an excellent view of the sea.
- 1 Aylos Minas. The small chapel is located above the village and is also a memorial for those who perished in exile. From here you have an excellent view of the town, the harbor and the sea.
- 2 Agios Georgios. beautifully situated chapel.
- 3 Agios Antonios. Chapel in a beautiful scenic location with a view.
activities
- Sailing: The island is relatively popular with sailors in the triangle Lemnos, Lesbos, Sporades.
- Boat tours: Excursion boats start from the harbor for excursions to the beaches and bays as well as for tours around the island.
- Hiking and mountain bike tours are quite popular on the island. However, caution is advised in the intense sunlight, because shade is difficult to find in places.
beaches
Those who go to Agios Efstratios are looking for peace and relaxation. You can find them at the port in one of the cafeterias with a cold beer, or you can relax on one of the many beautiful beaches, especially on the west and south sides, e.g. the beaches of Ag. Antonios, Ag. Dimitrios, Alonitsi, Avlaki, Frangou, Gournia, Lemonies, Lidario, Tripiti, Trigari. If you rent a boat, it is worth taking a tour around the island to discover the otherwise inaccessible beaches, often hidden behind cliffs. Most beaches are Nudism possible.
- 1 Kalami
- 2 Panagia. Lonely pebble beach.
- 3 Maroulia. Bad way to get there. Big and annoying stones.
- 4 Agio Efstratio. The only organized beach on Agios Efstratios that is easily accessible.
- 5 Limenos
- 6 Agios Antonios. Very quiet sand-gravel beach with small oak trees which provide shade for the visitor.
- 7 Agios Dimitrios. Sandy beach with large oak trees, which provide plenty of shade, good for snorkeling.
- 8 Trigari. A fairly large sandy beach by the standards of Agios Efstratios.
- 9 Lidario. A beautiful long, wide and quiet sandy beach.
- 10 Fetlia
- 11 Gournia
- 12 Fragou. A small sandy beach with calm sea and easy access to the street.
- 13 Tripiti. A sandy beach in a closed bay.
- 14 Rodokali
- 15 Kalamitsi
- 16 Neraki. A small closed bay with sand just below the cave of Saint Efstratios.
- 17 Alonitsi. The largest beach of Agios Efstratios with sand, small pebbles and shallow sea, on the east coast.
shop
Everything that is really necessary can be bought in town, but you have to go to Lemnos for special things. The island's specialties are feta cheese, dried cheese, honey, flomaria (egg noodles).
kitchen
The range of restaurants is as manageable as the entire island. There are very few real taverns.
- 2 Veranta Café - taverna. Tel.: 30 22540 93269. The tavern is one of the hubs of the municipality, with excellent views of the small port and the Aegean Sea. Specialty: lobster spaghetti.
nightlife
There is no night life on the island. You spend the evenings in one of the few cafés or kafenions at the harbor.
accommodation
The easiest way to find a room or an apartment is via holiday home portals, as there is no real classic hotel. Some offers can also be found on the Website of the island (in Greek).
health
There is no hospital on the island and in bad weather, especially outside the high season, it can take longer to get a ferry to Lemnos or Lesbos, where the closest hospitals are. In special emergencies there are helicopter ambulances, but not in storms.
Practical advice
WIFI is available in the cafes. But you are well advised if you also have mobile internet. Numbers from another EU country also work here without roaming costs. For non-EC telephones you can buy a Greek prepaid card for the Internet before you go on the ferry to Agios Efstratios, e.g. from Cosmote.
trips
Boat trips to the bays and around the island are offered from the port. Excursions to the more distant islands or even to the mainland require careful planning due to the limited ferry connections; an overnight stay at the destination may have to be planned.
literature
Web links
- http://www.agios-efstratios.gov.gr/ (el) - Official website of Agios Efstratios
- Information about Agios Efstratios
- Information for sailing boats: [2], [3]
- Video of the Hellenic Seaways (15:21 min)
