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Sights
Skiathos is suitable for every kind of vacations. It is the Garden of Eden that every outdoorsy – but not only – looks for. In Skiathos you will find remarkable monasteries to visit. Historical monuments, such as the Kast and Bourzi, which constitute the trustees of our history. The place of birth of the well-known poet Alexander Papadiamanti is distinguished for its special culture and it appears in every activity of the residents of the island.
You may not leave the island of Papadiamanti without visiting his house. Today it remains intact and functions as a museum where through his personal objects someone may travel in the different periods of his enormous creative work. This important Greek scholar has written masterpieces as "The Gipsy Girl", "The Murderer", "The Poor Saint" and many more. In these masterpieces he has described with a unique manner the life, the customs and traditions of Skiathos’ people writing the most vivid descriptions.
If you adore ships, then you must visit Carnayo. It is situated in the South of the city and it constitutes the place were ships are made. There you will hear about the well-known Tarsana, the famous shipyard. It is worthy to visit, even if you find out that is glamour has vanished as its range of work is limited in the maintenance of boats.
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The castle was the medieval capital of Skiathos . It was founded during the 14 th century , when the residents due to continuous pirate attacks were forced to abandon the old city.
Thus, they constructed the Castle-city in the high North of the island, over a huge rock with a marvelous view and above all with a natural fortification. It constituted a safe refuge for the people and defended them many times.
The Castle hangs over the sea. A wooden drawbridge used to connect it with the land . Nowadays concrete stairs have been built, which lead to the gate of the fortress. Within its walls were situated around 300 houses and 30 churches. Unfortunately only three churches have survived until today . The church of Christ with a woodcut temple and impressive murals that are dated in 1695, the church of Saint Nicolas and the church of Saint Marina .
Here, in the Castle took place the fights against the Turks that Papadiamatis describes in his stories. Elegant descriptions of the life within the castle are frequently subjects of the stories of our great writer.
The Castle was abandoned in 1830, when the residents – after the liberation – decided to return at the port and to reconstruct the old city.
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MONASTRY OF EVAGELISTRIA
The monastery of Evagelistria is located 4km north of the town. It was built in 1794 and has enormous historic importance for Skiathos as here was made and blessed the first Greek flag with the white cross in blue background. It is the place where in 1807 Philics Theodore Kolokotronis, Giannis Stathas and Nikotsaras took an oath.
The monastery is of great religious interest. In the small museum inside you will see rare ecclesiastic heirlooms, byzantine icons, books and manuscripts. Really impressive is the wooden chancel screen with fine drawings.
If you happen to be there on August 15 th follow the Sepulchral of Panagia. It is a custom known only in Skiathos.
MONASTERY OF PANAGIA KOUNISTRA
The Monastery of Panagia Kounistra is 8km from the town. It was built during the 17 th century and it is dedicated to Esodia of Theotokos. According to tradition, the icon of Panagia was found hanging on a moving pine. That’s where it took its name. Panagia Kounistra is the protector saint of Skiathos. The homonym icon is in the metropolitan church. Every year on November 21 st is organized a big festival. Every pilgrim is impressed by the wooden gilded chancel screen and the murals from two different historic periods.
MONASTERY OF SAINT JOHN
The monastery of Saint John or Krifo (secret), as it is else known, was built in 1726 in the back side of Kounistras’ mountain, in a green location. It is called “Krifo”, because during the period of the Turkish Rule inside the monastery operated a secret school.
MONASTERY OF SAINT HARALAMBOUS
In the north part of Chora, 5km from the center is the monastery of Saint Haralambous. The exact date of its construction stays unknown. What is known is that it was renovated in 1809, while the chancel screen and the icons are dated from 1822. The gazetteer Alexander Moraitis spent the last years of his life in this monastery.
MONASTERY OF PANAGIA KEHRIA
The monastery of Panagia Kehria is built on a bulk, right above the homonym cove. It is located in the northwest part of the island, 8km from the town of Skiathos . It was built during the 18 th century. It is an isolated monastery, worth to be visited for the ecclesiastic heirlooms and the glorious view it has.
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The House – Museum of Alexandros Papadiamanti |
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The house were our great writer Alexandros Papadiamanti lived is situated near the port and functions as a museum. It hosts many furniture and personal objects of Papadiamanti. The layout remains the same as it was during the last moment of the writer. The municipality of Skiathos maintains the house in very good conditions. In this way the visitor may see the bed , the chest, the desk, the inkhorn, photos and unpublished editions of the writer.
Sights...
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Map of Skiathos
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