Why Visit
In Greek "Skiathos" means "Shadow" of Athos. The island is covered with pine forests, olive groves and vineyards. Skiathos is famous for its beaches, which are on the island for more than sixty. Kukunares is the most popular beach is in the shape of a horseshoe and is a 30-minute drive from the town of Skiathos.
Beaches of banana, Agia Eleni-Crassus were to the East, and exotic Mandraki is located in the North-West of the island. Worth a visit on the island of bourtzi, built by the Venetians, the monastery of our Lady of "Panagia Kunistra" (17th century) and the "Èvangelistriâ" monastery (18th century). The island is a tourist and in recent years has become more cosmopolitan. Here you will find plenty of traditional taverns, bars, restaurants and discos which are open from morning until late at night.
History
Ancient times
Skiathos has always been called by the same name since the pre-Hellenic period. It is supposed that this name was given to the island by the Pelasgians, its first inhabitants, because they were impressed by the great shadow (skia in Greek) of the many trees covering the island. Dionysus was the god worshipped on the island. After these first settlers in the history of Skiathos, the island was then inhabited by Cretans and Mycenaeans, who also occupied the other Sporades. The fertility and the strategic position of the island attracted many invaders. In the 7th and 6th century BC, the inhabitants of Chalkis, Evia island, colonized Skiathos and created the first fortified town on the island.
During the Persian Wars, Skiathos was a great help to the Athenians and its harbour was used as a fleet base. In 478 BC, the Athenian Delian League welcomed Skiathos as a member. After the Peloponnesian War (404 BC) Skiathos became officially autonomous and independent. The Spartians tried to violate this by re-occupying the island but the Skiathians, helped by the Athenians, managed to throw them out and established peace and autonomy in their island for 40 years. But the years of prosperity in Skiathos ended when the Athenians transformed it in a military base against Philip II of Macedonia. When the Macedonians took Skiathos, they installed a tyrant on the island where the democracy returned only in 341 BC.
After the death of Alexander the Great, a succession of leader followed in the entire Greece and in Skiathos during which the Skiathians suffered very much. In 197 BC, Skiathos regained its democracy. The Romans took Greece in 146 BC but they ceded some liberties to the Skiathians who lived peacefully in the Roman oblivion. In 88 BC, the king of Pontus, Mithriades VI burned and destroyed Skiathos in his war against the Romans. In 42 BC, Skiathos went back under Athenian domination. Many pirates raids devastated the island during those years. After 221 AD, Skiathos went back under Roman authority. During these periods the town of the island grew and developed.
Medieval period
In 325 AD, Christianity appeared on Skiathos and the first church dedicated to the Holy Trinity was built in 530. During the Byzantine period, Skiathos was part of the province of Thessaly and its bishop belonged to the Metropolis of Larissa. In the 7th century, Saracen pirates devastated the Island of the Aegean Sea, and Skiathos did not escape the massacre. In 1204, Crusaders took the territories of the Byzantine Empire as well as the Aegean Islands and Skiathos which they gave to the Venetians. The Venetian built a castle on Skiathos known today as Bourtzi, located in the main port. The Ghisi remained rulers of Skiathos until 1276. Then other Venetians took the island that remained under their authority until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
The Ottomans dominated Skiathos in 1538 AD. During the early years of the 19th century, the inhabitants of Skiathos started to develop in shipbuilding. The War of Independence found them well prepared and the locals took part in many revolutionary actions against the Turks. Many fighters of the Greek Revolution sought refuge in Skiathos, among them was also the famous revolutionary hero Kolokotronis.
Recent years
After the Greek Revolution, the town of Kastro was abandoned and the locals moved to the port where a new town was constructed. Boat building started again. Skiathos inspired many poets, writers and artists, including Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitidis.
The Town of Skiathos was greatly damaged by German bombs during the Nazi occupation of Greece. On September 14th 1943, the Nazi troops sank the Greek submarine Lambros Katsonis off the coasts of Skiathos and every year the Katsonia Festival commemmorates this sad event. In the years of the Nazi occupation, Kastro became a refuge for Greek revolutionaries, British, Australians and New Zealanders. After the war, the economic and social life of Skiathos developed rapidly.
Museums - Archeological
Despite its small size, Skiathos has a long history that equals its natural beauty. It is inhabited since the antiquity and during the classical period, Ancient Skiathos flourished greatly. Many archaeological findings that were discovered in the surrounded regions prove how strong the Byzantine influence was in the island of Skiathos. The island is home to a single museum but many ancient sites to explore.
During your stay in Skiathos, do not miss the Alexandros Papadiamantis Museum, the house of the famous Greek novel writer, located in Skiathos Town. Following his death in 1911, the house was turned into a museum including all his personal belongings, writings and folklore items. The house itself is a perfect example of the traditional 19th century architecture while it proves its personal style being a humble man and a strong believer. The first floor displays many items from his personal collection highlighting its ascetic life and his charismatic ability to write.
Beaches
Koukounaries, Lalaria, Banana, Kanapitsa, Agia Paraskevi, Vromolimnos, Agia Eleni, Ahladies, Aselinos, Ftelia, Glyfoneri, Kalamaki, Kolios, Mandraki, Maratha, Megali Ammos, Megas Gialos, Plakes, Platanias, Stigero, Troulos
Religious Monasteries and Churches
The beautiful green island of Skiathos is home to several churches and monasteries which charm all visitors a first sight. Most of them are built at the most fascinating locations of Skiathos while others can be seen along the seafront. Of unique interest is the Cathedral church of Three Bishops that dominates Chora, home to precious relics and the miraculous icon of Panagia Kounistra, the saint protector of Skiathos.
The Monastery of Evagelistria is the only one that is presently active in Skiathos. It lies surrounded by lush vegetation and trees, only 5 km from Chora. It was built by some monks, during the post-Byzantine years over the ruins of an ancient monastery and the holy complex comprises a fine library with rare books, an ecclesiastical museum and numerous cells.
The monastery of Panagia Kounistra is also dedicated to the Holy Virgin. It lies in the middle of a pine forest, about 13 km from Skiathos town, on the way to Aselinos village. The 17th century monastery has a great significance in the religious life of the locals.
