Skopelos Town The Capital
Skopelos Town or called by the inhabitants Chora, we find it in the southeastern part of the island and it is built in the shape of an amphitheater in the middle of a beautiful bay. It is the main port of Skiathos and has a personality of its own.
Whitewashed houses with an architecture influenced by the Venetians, others from the Pelion region and Macedonia and of course neoclassical style houses. The colorful bougainvillea plants frame corners and balconies, fresh water fountains, ancient churches, narrow streets that intersect like labyrinthine mazes, all surrounded by luxuriant nature made of vineyards, pine forests and olive trees, a picture of Mother Nature in a nutshell.
In 1978 it was designated with an official recognition of a “traditional settlement” where the local architecture makes it unique among all the Greek Islands. Here it is not possible to build buildings that have more than two floors, the roofs must have a particular slope and must be of slate or terracotta, the doors, balconies and windows strictly of wood. All this means that Skopelos Town has its own well-defined identity to keep alive the traditions and the true Greek spirit.
On the top of the hill behind the town is the ancient castle dating back to the 13th century while at the bottom of the town is the port where life is always more lively. It should be emphasized that there are two piers on the seafront, the old one to the west and the new one to the east where boats and ferries dock rather than the hydrofoils that connect Skopelos with the other islands.
Steep paths lead to some undiscovered points such as the Agios Athanassios Basilica the oldest of Skopelos dating back to the 17th century which was actually begun in the 9th century just above the ruins of a temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena. The church is located within the castle walls and the view from here is literally breathtaking.
Do not miss the Folklore Museum where rich collections of ceramics, photos and traditional objects of the island are exhibited that will catapult you back in time and give you an idea of what life was like in this part of the Aegean.
Virgin Mary Church, also called Panagitsa di Pyrgos (Panagitsa Tower), is also worth a visit. It is one of the first things one sees when entering the port and although its access is not that demanding, it is certainly one of the identified trademarks of the Skopelos city. The view from up here is nothing short of impressive on one side the Aegean, on the other the capital and if you go just before night falls, you can admire the moon shining and reflecting in the sea. Its interior is decorated with 18th and 19th century icons and is one of the favorite churches for Greeks to get married or baptize their children. Following the path of the church you can also arrive at the Thalassa Cafè Bar with its adorable little terrace and an epic view.
There are about 120 Byzantine churches in the narrow streets of Skopelos Town, a sign of the inhabitants' devotion to their religion. The 13th century Venetian fortress is another of the attractions of the Chora. With a triangular shape, it is located at the highest point on the eastern side of the city and to this day parts of its imposing walls that originally protected and surrounded the whole town are preserved. You can reach it in two ways, either by car from the road or on foot with a beautiful walk that is a bit heavy but which in the end will give you a fantastic view.
Skopelos city sometimes seems to stand still in time, think that the traditions are still deeply rooted among the population and a testimony of all this are the pretty signs of the shops which are still partly made of wood and hand painted.
The Vakratsa Museum is another must-see during your visit. An 18th-century residence now a museum, once owned by a doctor and his family. Inside you will find the original furnishings with a curious showcase of tools related to medicine. And yet books, furnishings and traditional clothes that make a good vision of life linked to a middle class of the time. The whole is completed by a wonderful garden with beautiful flowers, fig and lemon trees as well as the typical wooden balconies and a terrace where you can enjoy an almost magical panorama. The museum is open every day from 10.00 to 14.00 and from 18.00 to 21.00.
A lively town with small squares, artisan shops, trendy boutiques, restaurants, classic taverns where you can sit and savor tasty traditional Greek and local dishes, cafes among plane and mulberry trees where you can chat with the locals who, if you are lucky, will give you precious advice or they will tell you fantastic stories about the island of Skopelos, and still in the evening little bars where you can enjoy a sophisticated cocktail to end the day in style. Last but not least, do we want to talk about the sunset that can be seen in Skopelos? Try to believe they say.