Skyros, the quiet island of Sporades
Welcoming and beautiful, Skyros belongs to Sporades although the distance that separates it from other islands of the group is greater than that which separates it from the island of Evia. The island is characterized by its natural contrasts and seems to have two completely different "faces" in the northern and southern parts of: the pine north, the place, and the rocky and rugged south, Mountain, as locals call it. To the north is dominated by the Olympus peak and the areas around it are full while the south is dominated by the mountain of shells and uncultivated rocky landscapes around it. It looks like half part of the island to refer to other northern Sporades and Evia and the other half to remind southern Evia and the Cyclades.
The town of Skyros is located on the east side of the island, beneath the Mount Olympus, built amphitheatrically on a high rock. Its seaport is Linaria, located about ten kilometers, where is the main port of the island- which has an airport.
In the town there is the Archaeological Museum of the island, with significant artifacts from the excavations since 2500-3000 BC To the north of the settlement, in Brroke’s square, it stands the statue of the British poet Robert Brooke, who died on Skyros during WWI. The view from the square is delightful, both in the island, with the characteristics of the houses and the endless sea. Narrow winding roads and stairs invite the visitor to explore them.
Skyros and Greek mythology
The island is mentioned in Greek mythology in different versions. There, it is said, that king Theseus died while an other myth tells that Thetis hid there her son, Achilles, in order not to go to Troy for fight. According to another version, Achilles leveled Skyros to avenge the murder of Theseus. Skyros is well known for its famous local horse breed, a rare breed small-sized unique breed of horses in the world, but also for art furniture manufacturing such as Skyros stool that looks like a miniature.
The beautiful beaches of Skyros makes the island an ideal summer destination but many choose the island for Halloween. The custom of the "Old Man and Corelli invite every year guests in Dionysian ecstasy events.