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Skopelos island

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skopelos island, skopelos greek island, skopelos, greek islands, greek island, list of greek islands, cruise greek island, greek island cruises, greek island map, greek island guide, greek island ferries Skopelos island
Skopelos is the greenest island in Greece. Here, where the green of the pine-trees and the
dense forest mix with the deep blue of sea and sky, creating the picture of unrivalled
nature beauty, you will find yourself in an idyllic land, in a small paradise in the very heart
of Greece. Because the island of Skopelos is defined by lush green forest and the blue
of the sea the International Organization of Biopolitics, on July the 5th 1997, officially
proclaimed it "Green and Blue Island". More than 50% of the island area is covered by a
virgin forest of pine-trees. A forest which, when you visit Skopelos, will also need your
love and care in order to maintain the natural beauty and ecological balance that has
survived for nearly 4000 years. Similarly the town of Skopelos, by presidential decree,
(19/10/1978 Presidential Decree 594,13-11/78). was honored as a Traditional
Settlement of outstanding beauty. (The Greek equivalent of a site of Outstanding
Architectural Inheritance). Geographically Skopelos is an Aegean island situated in the
central-northwest Aegean, east of Pelion and north of Evia. It has 67km of rich rugged
coastline, being 17km long and 8km wide. The population is approximately 5.700
native Skopelitans and is the second largest island in the Northern Sporades
(Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skyros). The capital, one of the most picturesque
of all island towns, is built on the slopes of a hill right on the sea. At its highest point
lies the Kastro district with its remains of the Venetian castle erected by the Ghizi
(13th c.). Here lived the modern Greek writer Pavlos Nirvanas; his house has been
made into a museum. Here too are a ceramics workshop and the island’s famous ovens
where plums are dried into prunes. Of the many lovely churches, most noteworthy
are those of the Panayitsa, Agios Nikolaos and the Evangelistria (17th and 18th c.).
The island is dotted with chapels and monasteries, the most important being the
monasteries of the Evangelistria (18th c.), Agia Varvara (1648) and the Metamorphosis
(1600). The beautiful beaches of Stafylos, Agnonta, Panormos and Velani can be
reached either by car or caique. Generally speaking Skopelos is a delightful, wooded
island offering both quiet pleasures and sophisticated attractions.

skopelos island, skopelos greek island, skopelos, greek islands, greek island, list of greek islands, cruise greek island, greek island cruises, greek island map, greek island guide, greek island ferries Skopelos History
Inhabited since the Mycenaean era (1600-1100 BC), Skopelos - the ancient Peparethos -
became a colony of Chalkis (700 BC), passing to the Macedonians in 340 BC. Under the
Byzantines it was a place of exile, while later it was taken over by the Venetian Ghizi
family and joined to the Duchy of Naxos. Subsequently occupied by the Turks, it was freed
during the War of Independence in 1821. It acquired its present name during the
Hellenistic period. The island was inhabited probably in the Neolithic period. Its ancient
name was Peparethos and is mentioned by the pre-Hellenic people of Asia Minor who
settled in the Aegean region in the period 2800 - 2000 BC. This name is mentioned
likewise by Thoukydides.Around 1600 BC Cretans whose leader was the mythical king
Staphylos, son of Theseus and Ariadne, settled the island. As tradition reminds us,
Theseus, son of Aegeas king of Athens, was sent with 7 young boys and 7 young girls
to the Cretan king Minos, as a duty demanded by Athens, intended to be offered as
sacrifice to the Minotaur (a strange creation of mythology, half man, half bull) who lived
in the labyrinth underneath the palace of Knosos in Crete. There, Theseus became
acquainted with Ariadne, Minos' daughter. Ariadne fell in love with him and helped him,
giving him a ball of wool, to escape from the labyrinth and to survive. Theseus found the
exit, kidnapped Ariadne and left Crete. ut on the island of Naxos he abandoned Ariadne
who in her loneliness discovered the God Dionisos who in his turn fell in love with the
girl and took her to Lemnos. In Lemnos Ariadne and Dionisos had four sons,
Thoantas, Oinopionas, Staphylos and Peparithos. Peparithos was the first to settle on
the island of Skopelos. Until today his name survives in this place full of olive trees
and pine forests. At the end of Staphylos bay there is a peninsular. At the tip of this
peninsular the tomb of King Staphylos was discovered containing his sword and many
other artifacts, representing some of the most important finds of workmanship from the
Mycenian and Minoan period. The sword handle is covered in gold, a precious sword for
a precious king Staphylos....   
 
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