Poros
Poros is 31
square kilometers with a population of 4000 people. It is located 32 nautical miles South of Piraeus. Poros is one of the Saronic islands
along with Aegina, Hydra and Spetses. It is a volcanic island very green with
hills and an interesting coastline.
Poros,
according to mythology was the island of Poseidon, god of the sea. This is
evident from various literary references and from the traces of the temple of
Poseidon, which was found in the island.
Its Historic
Clock is imposing in the distance at the highest point of the hill, among pears
and pine trees. It was built in
1927 and is visible from every part of the island. Poros is the island of peace and romance. It is overgrown
with pine trees, which reach the rugged shores or the sandy beaches. In the War
of Independence against the Turks in 1821, Poros fought alongside the other
islands, and in 1830 became Greece's first naval base.
Spetses
At
51 nautical miles from Piraeus. It has an area of 25.5 square kilometres, the
population of the island is around 4,000.
Spetses
is a small green island right opposite the Peloponnese coast of Ermionida with
wonderful sandy beaches and lovely bays. The villages are picturesque and
authentic. The capital is an
architectural beauty with two storey houses with wooden balconies and narrow
stoned alleys. The island has a lively nightlife with
nicely decorated bars playing a wide variety of music.
Spetses
dedicated its powerful fleet and its soul to fight against the Turks in 1821.
The historical event of the battle against the Ottoman fleet is today
commemorated where a reconstitution of the battle is organized in the main
harbor of the town every 8th of September.
Nafplion
The name is
in honor of Poseidon, god of the sea, son of Nauplis.
Nafplion is
one of the most important tourist destinations in the country with a rich
cultural heritage attracting crowds of tourists all over the world, the whole
year round.
The town was
the first capital of modern Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in
1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the peripheral unit of Argolis.
During the Greek War of Independence, Nafplion was a major Ottoman stronghold
and was besieged for more than a year. Count Ioannis Kapodistrias, first head
of state of newly liberated Greece, set foot on the Greek mainland for the
first time in Nafplio on 7 January 1828 and made it the official capital of
Greece in 1829.
Epidauros
Epidauros is
a well known town surrounded by green landscape and has access to the sea and
beautiful sandy beaches. The area of Epidauros has become a major cultural
attraction both due to its past and its present. Performances are taking place
in the famous Ancient theatre of Epidauros, which is known for its perfect
acoustics. It is said that you could drop a pin on the stage and it can be
heard even at the furthest seats in the theatre. The theatre can hold 14,000
spectators who can hear every single word from their seats without the need of
any electrical equipment.
Hydra
Hydra is an
island of the Saronic Gulf that lies in the middle of beautiful blue waters,
close to the Eastern Peloponnesian shore. It has an area of 52 square
kilometers and provides living to 2,387 inhabitants. It is 35 miles away from
Piraeus. Hydra in Mythology was a nine-headed
monster, sister of Medusa.
In
1821 it was the first island to pledge its sizable fleet to the Greek cause. It
has been said that if it was not for the Hydriot fleet and sailors, the War of
Independence against the Turks would not have been won. The
town remains architecturally very much in the style of the 18th and 19th
centuries, with large stately houses built around the natural amphitheatre
above the harbor. The total lack of vehicles adds to the atmosphere.
Hydra,
with its fresh ocean air and sparkling blue waters is the ideal place for
vacation, as it combines the beauty and peace of unique scenery, with a great
selection of nightlife. With its unique character, the narrow paths and the
houses it has a certain charm, which attracts many artists.
Hydra
is a fashionable resort for the rich and the famous.
Aegina
Aegina is 16 nautical miles from Piraeus with an area of 83 km and a
population of 17,000.
According
to mythology, Zeus, king of the Gods, fell in love with god Asopo’s daughter
Aegina. He kidnapped her and took her to the island, which has her name. Aegina
is a small island known for its great production of pistachios. The island has
a lovely capital full of neoclassical buildings surviving from its days as the
Greek capital. North of Aegina Town in Livadi is the house where Nikos
Kazantzakis wrote Zorba the Greek. Visitors can enjoy fresh fish and appetizers
in the tavernas of the town. The
5th century BC temple of Aphaia can be visited in an area full of
olive and pine trees.
