Sendoukia Tombs Skopelos

A valid alternative to a lazy day lying on the beach sunbathing can be a visit to the Sendoukia Tombs. Let's start by saying that it is an experience only for those who want to walk as it is necessary to take a somewhat demanding route in the mountains but we will talk about this later.

The Sendoukia tombs are located in the north west direction of the Skopelos island just above the Mount Karia plateau more or less eight kilometers from the capital Skopelos Town. In the immediate vicinity is the Agios Efstathios Monastery, now deserted, with its single nave church from the 18th century decorated with flowers and old precious icons. Mount Karia, on the other hand, must be emphasized that it is known for its source of very pure water where you can also drink.

The tombs dating is not yet well defined, we speak of the Roman era, early Christian up to the Neolithic era, the fact is that even today it has not been possible to determine the period of their construction. Three sarcophagi dug into the rock with a length of two and a half meters covered in part by massive slabs of slate and with a rectangular shape. Who wanted them and why this is also a bit of a mystery, a legend tells that in the Middle Ages when the legendary pirate Barbarossa tried to plunder the island, he was rejected by the inhabitants who also killed some marauders who were then buried in the tombs together to 12 chests of gold and that to protect the loot they became ghosts and scare anyone who wanted to steal it. The theory that they were family tombs of some wealthy lineage is more likely.

But you climb up here not only for the very interesting archaeological finds, but above all for the view. An infinite space on the Aegean with its colors up to the Alonissos island to get to the Evia, Skiathos, Pelion island and on particularly clear days up to the Chalkidiki Peninsula and see Mount Olympus.