History Skiathos

lalaria beach



a snapshot skiathos.

in ancient times, island played minor role during persian wars. in 480 bc, fleet of persian king xerxes hit storm , badly damaged on rocks of skiathos coast. following greek fleet blockaded adjacent seas prevent persians invading mainland , supplying provisions army facing 300 spartans defending pass @ thermopylae. persian fleet defeated there @ artemisium , destroyed @ battle of salamis year later. skiathos remained in delian league until lost independence. city destroyed philip v of macedon in 200 bc.

in 1207 ghisi brothers captured island , built bourtzi, small venetian-styled fortress similar bourtzi in nafplio, on islet out of skiathos town, protect capital pirates. bourtzi ineffective in protecting population , in mid-14th century inhabitants moved capital ancient site lay modern skiathos town kastro (the greek word castle), located on high rock, overlooking steep cliff above sea @ northernmost part of island. island returned byzantine control in 1270s, , remained in byzantine hands until after fall of constantinople in 1453, when passed republic of venice. rest of northern sporades, skiathos conquered ottoman admiral hayreddin barbarossa in 1538.

in 1704 monks athos built evangelistria monastery, played part on greek war of independence hide-out greek rebels. first flag of greece created , hoisted in evangelistria monastery in skiathos in 1807, several prominent military leaders (including theodoros kolokotronis , andreas miaoulis) had gathered consultation concerning uprising, , sworn flag local bishop.

houses on skiathos

after war of independence , demise of piracy in aegean, kastro became less important. in 1830s, island s capital moved original site — still remains. today, ruins of kastro tourist attraction.

during 19th century skiathos became important shipbuilding centre in aegean due abundance of pine forests on island. pine woods of island obliterated. brought halt though, due emergence of steamboats. small shipwright remains north of skiathos town, still builds traditional greek caiques.