Skiathos Town is thecapital and unlike in most of the Greek Islands it is not calledChora but takes its name from the island.
We find it in theeastern part in a picturesque gulf divided in two by the splendid Bourtzi Peninsula and has an amphitheater shape. Given its fortunateposition, it is almost windless and therefore it is very pleasant tostay there or to spend unforgettable evenings. Narrow alleys withsmall houses next to each other almost overlapping in whitewash, withred tiled roofs and a combination of different architectural stylesand also influenced by the nearby region of Mount Pelion whichdominates from the Volos city exactly the opposite on earth still,it has exactly the atmosphere that one usually imagines when visitingGreece with hidden corners or courtyards adorned with colorfulbougainvilleas.
In the classical andByzantine periods it was the main city (as it is now, however, giventhat the rest of the island remains sparsely inhabited) until thepopulation decided to move to the fortified of Kastro village to besafer and have a better chance of repelling usurpers and pirates.However, at the beginning of the twentieth century, precisely in1829, the inhabitants decided to return to Skiathos Town, thus slowlygiving life to the current capital, the nerve center as well as the island navel.
Veryancient origins in 480 BC it was the scene ofthe shipwreck of the fleet of Xerxes the Persian King which wassignificantly damaged against the rocks surrounding the island duringa storm. It was part of the Delian League until it was destroyed byPhilip V of Macedon in 200 BC. During the Venetian era in 1207 it wasconquered by the Ghisi brothers who built a beautiful fortress on theislet just outside the capital on the Bourtzi peninsula to protectthe inhabitants and the capital from pirates, but all this was notenough so the inhabitants decided to move to the ancient castle whichis located on top of a rock overlooking the practically impregnablesea. During the Ottoman domination, the monks of Holy Mount Athosbuilt the Evangelistria Monastery which became an important pointfor the Greek resistance where important leaders such as Theodoros Kolokotronis and Andreas Miaoulis met to decide the plans of therevolt. The first flag of independent Greece was actually created inSkiathos and hoisted for the first time in 1807. It was thendestroyed in the Second World War by German bombs but the proud andstoic inhabitants rebuilt everything giving it a new and prosperouslife. In the 19th century Skiathos became an important shipbuildingcenter thanks to the abundance of its pine forests until thesteamboats were invented.
Most of the life is found inthe main street Papadiamantis and on the seafront up to the old portwhere little bars, typical and gourmet restaurants are concentratedwhere you can dine and then stay late in a disco bar to dance untilyou drop. Precisely for this reason, Skopelos Town is the center ofnightlife where all the kids gather for a magical night.
Do not miss theAgios Nikolaos Church dedicated to the patron saint of sailors right in thecenter with a spectacular staircase that leads up to a terrace wherethe view is fantastic over the entire town and the gulf up to the Tsougria islet. Every 6th of September great celebrations areorganized in honor of San Nicola. The opening scene of the cult film"Mamma Mia" was also filmed here.
The main street is dedicatedto the famous writer Alexandros Papadiamantis and the artist's housedating back to 1860 has now become an interesting museum where youcan learn more about this eclectic character, famous not only inSkiathos but throughout Greece for his literary contribution. Do notmiss a visit to the Venetian fortress on the Bourtzi peninsula dated1207. Today there are few remains but it is still fascinating to walkthrough the tree lined avenues and imagine how this fortified castlecould once be alive and fundamental. Also right here are organizedduring the summer in July and August, beautiful cultural events inthe old school such as the famous "A dream on the wave" byAlexandros Papadiamantis, while in September the "Violin Days"dedicated to the sinking of the Kasonis submarine during WWII.
Skiathos Town can be said to be one of the most cosmopolitan towns of the Greek Islands that willbe able to seduce you in any respect and for this alone it must beincluded among the things to see in Skiathos.