Satellite islands Alonissos
As in almost all of Greece, the major islands always have small satellite islands around them which for the most part are uninhabited but become important landing places for perennial rather than migratory fauna.
Alonissos also has several of them all with the function of the continuation of some species so as to make them re-enter the National Marine Park with a special protection. The National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades is the largest in Europe and the first to have been established in Greece. A combination of terrestrial and marine Mediterranean biotypes with many species of plants, animals as well as notable archaeological monuments dating back to the Byzantine, classical to prehistoric times and historical artifacts such as ancient churches and monasteries that give a precise identity to the entire archipelago.
It should be emphasized that not the whole area of the National Marine Park is open to the public, basically to give the species the opportunity to reproduce and come out of the extinction lists, however it is still possible in some areas to arrive, swim, free-dive, trekking and immortalize the wild life of the islands in perfect photographs. Some activities such as hunting for example are strictly prohibited except on the island of Jura. Other limitations are with regard to amateur fishing which is also regulated by severe restrictions.
So let's get into the specifics of the satellite islands starting from Peristera island. Also called Evonimos or Xiro we find it east of Alonissos less than a nautical mile. It covers an area of 16 square kilometers and hosts less than ten permanent people (I would even say lucky them...). Covered by Mediterranean scrub, it concentrates its crops on the west side while the east side is extremely wild and very exposed to the winds. The highest point is Mount Stefani which reaches 250 meters in height. Inserted in the Marine National Park in 1988, it hosts the rare Mediterranean monk seal which has found its natural habitat here and is able to reproduce and preserve itself. It is also a real refuge for cormorants, seagulls and many other species of birds and where you can also meet the Cri-Cri goats, a rare species of sheep.
From the archaeological point of view, Peristera island is very important for the ancient shipwreck discovered as a result of some underwater research which with other findings have been able to demonstrate that the Sporades were an important and ancient crossroads of different civilizations.
It is the only one that can be visited freely and where prohibitions are limited. It offers two landings, one in the west and the other in the south. On the Peristera island there are some soft sandy beaches and it is entirely surrounded by a phenomenal sea with crystal clear and transparent waters.
We continue with Kira Panagià island. Also called Pelagos or Pelagonisi, we find it in a north-easterly direction with respect to the island of Alonissos about twelve nautical miles from the port of Patitiri. The largest of all those that fall within the Marine National Park with an area of 25 square kilometers is almost completely deserted, you can find shepherds with their flocks of goats only at certain times of the year.
Kira Panagià looks like a mountainous island covered with low and dense vegetation that as if by magic sprouts mainly mastic and thorny oak among the rocks. Its coasts are scalloped and wild for the most part inaccessible and the highest point reaches about 300 meters above sea level. It has two natural harbors where it is possible to arrive by boats and those of Agios Petros and Planitis are definitely more convenient for moorings. A curiosity, Kira Panagià island in the Middle Ages was a safe haven for pirates who sailed the Aegean Sea. Completely uninhabited, it is an exclusive property of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki by virtue of the fact that on the eastern side there is the Monastery of Kira Panagià from which the island took its name, dependent on the monastery of Megisti Lavra which is located in the sacred mountain. From the post-Byzantine era and specifically from the 16th century, we find it right on top of the hill with a wonderful view of the sea. Inside, protected by the walls, a white church dedicated to the Virgin Mary with red edges and a beautiful bell tower. In the courtyard you can admire early Christian remains dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries AD and an ancient oil mill is another element that characterizes the Monastery. Every 15 August a heartfelt religious festival is organized to celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Just below the convent there are centuries-old olive trees with which the monks produced oil for the religious of Mount Ahtos.
From an archaeological point of view, Kira Panagià is attributed to ancient Alonissos for the discovery of some remains of ceramics, tools, statues, animal bones and a wreck belonging to an Athenian trading ship that contained a large number of wine amphorae, in the bay of Agios Petros which lead to ancient civilizations dating back to the Neolithic period around 6000 BC To reinforce the hypothesis, two important speakers such as Strabo and Demosthenes mention it in their assemblies.
Since 1988 it has become part of the National Marine Park and swimming and snorkeling are allowed, while fishing and hunting are prohibited.
We then move on to Jura island. Also called Ghioura we find it in the north-eastern part of Alonissos at a distance of 16 nautical miles. With an area of 11 square kilometers, it presents a very mountainous and wild territory practically unlivable for a human being apart from the forest guards who take care of it. The highest point reaches 570 meters in height and for one part is covered with Mediterranean scrub, while the other is completely arid with heart-pounding overhangs and sea caves.
On the island there are several species of birds, some of them rare and endangered, many varieties of native plants as well as the nice wild goat Cri-Cri very similar to those found on the Crete island. Famous on the Jura island is the Cyclops cave which according to mythology was the home of Polyphemus, the Cyclops of the Odyssey defeated by Ulysses with stalagmites and stalactites which, through a play of lights reflected in the waters, make the environment magical. The variety of cave biotopes make them perfect as shelters for Mediterranean monk seals.
Without landing points, it has a wonderful sea, extremely limpid and transparent. In 1988 it became part of the Park and is considered a Protected Nature Reserve. Snorkeling, swimming, filming and photography are allowed, while fishing is banned, while a special permit is required for hunting.
So here we are on Psathoura island. It is the northernmost of the Park, about 8 nautical miles from Jura and with an extension of just two square kilometers. Of volcanic origin, it is carpeted with expanses of heather and many species of shrubs. Only here you can find the delicate sea lilies and white sand as in the Mandraki beach in the southern part of the islet which, in contrast with the black rocks and a turquoise sea, makes the landscape almost fairytale. On the seabed it is possible to see submerged buildings that confirm the human presence since ancient times. At the end of the 1800s a large 25 meter high do with a light power of up to 18 miles was built which signals the sea routes of the northern Aegean. In the northern part, ancient fortresses have been found but it is on the south and west sides that the main finds dating back to the Neolithic period are concentrated.
A curiosity, some divers from Kalymnos (famous island of the Dodecanese archipelago where there are the best sponge fishermen and divers), at a depth of about twenty meters reported having seen the submerged ruins of a city.
We arrive at the Piperi island. We find it in the extreme part of the National Marine Park of the Sporades Islands. Its name in Greek means pepper and it is considered as the heart of the park. A solemnly protected area due to the importance of the biotope that allows the survival of the Mediterranean monk seal as well as other species of birds of prey such as the Queen's Falcons and the Eleonora Falcon that live and reproduce on the inaccessible cliffs of the island. Its steep rock coasts are covered with a rare vegetation rich in pines, holly, frigana, mastic and rock plants. It is inhabited by only two people who have chosen an isolated life in the middle of nature, the only two houses present are their house and the church of Pigi which is 300 meters high on the highest point of emerged land. The perimeter of Piperi is very jagged and between one cavity and the other there are truly breathtaking points such as small coves of sand and white stones. The most photographed beach (from afar) is the Pepe beach where the rocks emerging from the sea and white cliffs behind reflect the sunlight on the water creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Usually it is visited by scholars and to get close it is necessary to ask for a special permit and not least you can only approach it with a rowing boat. Obviously, fishing and hunting are prohibited.
We end our virtual tour of the satellite islands of Alonissos with the Skantzoura island. It is located in the southeastern part of Alonissos 13 nautical miles towards another pearl, Skyros island. It covers 8 square kilometers and is completely uninhabited. Unlike the other islands, Skantzoura is not mountainous it just has gentle low hills that reach down to the white marble coast. Owned by Mount Athos it was in the past a monastic center. Today it is covered by a wonderful Mediterranean scrub which includes frigree and a wood inside with fruit trees, low cedars and olive trees. Its maximum point reaches 107 meters of altitude. Around the island of Skantozoura small islets such as Strongilò islet, Polemikà island or Praso island, the best place to land, form a sort of independent archipelago. Small beaches practically handkerchiefs, however, wet by a clear and very clean sea. Given its biodiversity, there are some rare species such as the red gull, the Eleonora falcon, different varieties of vipers and of course the Mediterranean monk seal. It became part of the Marine National Park in 1988 and only snorkeling is allowed. Hunting and fishing are strictly forbidden.
Being able to explain in words the magnificence of this splendid place is truly a titanic undertaking, it is better as always to see them with your own eyes and in this regard it is necessary to include it among the things to do in Alonissos if you decide to spend your holidays in Greece. here.