Skiathos Town The Capital
Skiathos Town is the capital and unlike in most of the Greek Islands it is not called Chora but takes its name from the island.
We find it in the eastern part in a picturesque gulf divided in two by the splendid Bourtzi Peninsula and has an amphitheater shape. Given its fortunate position, it is almost windless and therefore it is very pleasant to stay there or to spend unforgettable evenings. Narrow alleys with small houses next to each other almost overlapping in whitewash, with red tiled roofs and a combination of different architectural styles and also influenced by the nearby region of Mount Pelion which dominates from the Volos city exactly the opposite on earth still, it has exactly the atmosphere that one usually imagines when visiting Greece with hidden corners or courtyards adorned with colorful bougainvilleas.
In the classical and Byzantine periods it was the main city (as it is now, however, given that the rest of the island remains sparsely inhabited) until the population decided to move to the fortified of Kastro village to be safer and have a better chance of repelling usurpers and pirates. However, at the beginning of the twentieth century, precisely in 1829, the inhabitants decided to return to Skiathos Town, thus slowly giving life to the current capital, the nerve center as well as the island navel.
Skiathos History
Very ancient origins in 480 BC it was the scene of the shipwreck of the fleet of Xerxes the Persian King which was significantly damaged against the rocks surrounding the island during a storm. It was part of the Delian League until it was destroyed by Philip V of Macedon in 200 BC. During the Venetian era in 1207 it was conquered by the Ghisi brothers who built a beautiful fortress on the islet just outside the capital on the Bourtzi peninsula to protect the inhabitants and the capital from pirates, but all this was not enough so the inhabitants decided to move to the ancient castle which is located on top of a rock overlooking the practically impregnable sea. During the Ottoman domination, the monks of Holy Mount Athos built the Evangelistria Monastery which became an important point for the Greek resistance where important leaders such as Theodoros Kolokotronis and Andreas Miaoulis met to decide the plans of the revolt. The first flag of independent Greece was actually created in Skiathos and hoisted for the first time in 1807. It was then destroyed in the Second World War by German bombs but the proud and stoic inhabitants rebuilt everything giving it a new and prosperous life. In the 19th century Skiathos became an important shipbuilding center thanks to the abundance of its pine forests until the steamboats were invented.
Most of the life is found in the main street Papadiamantis and on the seafront up to the old port where little bars, typical and gourmet restaurants are concentrated where you can dine and then stay late in a disco bar to dance until you drop. Precisely for this reason, Skopelos Town is the center of nightlife where all the kids gather for a magical night.
Do not miss the Agios Nikolaos Church dedicated to the patron saint of sailors right in the center with a spectacular staircase that leads up to a terrace where the view is fantastic over the entire town and the gulf up to the Tsougria islet. Every 6th of September great celebrations are organized in honor of San Nicola. The opening scene of the cult film "Mamma Mia" was also filmed here.
The main street is dedicated to the famous writer Alexandros Papadiamantis and the artist's house dating back to 1860 has now become an interesting museum where you can learn more about this eclectic character, famous not only in Skiathos but throughout Greece for his literary contribution. Do not miss a visit to the Venetian fortress on the Bourtzi peninsula dated 1207. Today there are few remains but it is still fascinating to walk through the tree lined avenues and imagine how this fortified castle could once be alive and fundamental. Also right here are organized during the summer in July and August, beautiful cultural events in the old school such as the famous "A dream on the wave" by Alexandros 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 will be able to seduce you in any respect and for this alone it must be included among the things to see in Skiathos.