SKOPELOS SHORT HISTORY

There are various myths about Skopelos history. From the Ancient Greek History sources the myth records that once Zeus and Poseidon quarreled over who would dominate over the winged horses, Poseidon at his defeat smote the ground and numbers of islands were created with the largest of them being Peparethos (Skopelos).

It is not known who the first inhabitants of the island but findings were that firstly Skopelos resided by 1.600 B.C.

The tradition describes that Cretian from Minoan time were the first ones established following their Prince Stafylos, who was the son of Thisseus and Ariandes. “Stafylos” mean grape and the island was well known as great producer of wine.

Successively Skopelos throughout the centuries was dominated by Athenians, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Latin Empire, Othoman Empire, Republic of Venice and eventually became part of the First Hellenic Republic under London Protocol in 1830.

GEOGRAPHY AND NATURE

Skopelos Island is the largest in the chain of several islands of which comprise North Sporades group in the Western Aegean and considered to be the capital among them.

Skopelos is between two other main island of Northern Sporades; one is Skiathos and the other Alonissos.

Skopelos has an area of 97 sq. kilometers, is surrounded by 67 klm. of seashores and almost 6.000 inhabitants.

Most of the population lives in the capital of the island which is named Skopelos Town or “Chora”.

Skopelos Town or “Chora” has over 3.000 inhabitants and is also the main harbor. The island has few other settlements of which the second largest is “Glossa Village” with its harbor “Loutraki” located in the North-western part of Skopelos. There are around 1.100 inhabitants in this community.

Another community is “Neo Klima” or “Elios” which is a newly constructed community developed after 1965 earthquake to resettle residents of the severely damaged Old Klima. The “Neo Klima” has around 400 inhabitants.

There are some other resided settlements which most of them used as relaxing touristic interest like: Panormos, Agnondas, Stafylos, Old Klima, Atheato, Kalogeros, etc.

Skopelos considered the greenest island of the Aegean Sea and by many visitors the most beautiful island of Sporades or even of Greece.

BEACHES

Skopelos Map, click to viewlightboxSkopelos Map

There is a great number of unique beaches which you can mostly approach by car, bus, bike or small private boat, as:

•  Skopelos (Northeast Skopelos): The nearest beach to the town of Skopelos with clear green-blue water and sand.
•  Elios (West Skopelos): Two popular sandy beaches with crystal water that are organized, with umbrellas and sunbeds.
•  Kastani (West Skopelos): It offers thick dark-colored sand and turquoise water, while it is surrounded by pine-filled hill sides.
•  Panormos (Southwest Skopelos): A popular organized beach with thin pebble and blue-green water, while the sea is usually calm.
•  Milia (Southwest Skopelos): An organized popular beach with sand, very long with a rock dividing it in two smaller beaches. Milia is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches of Greece.
•  Velanio (Southeast Skopelos): It is quiet long with sand and thin pebble, but it is separated in two beaches by some large rocks.
•  Stafylos (South Skopelos): A large beach, one of the most popular on Skopelos, with clear sea and nice sand.
•  Agnontas (South Skopelos): A small beach with pebble and calm turquoise water.
•  Limnonari (South Skopelos): A rather long beach with thin white sand and calm turquoise water.
•  Hovolo (Northwest Skopelos): An impressive beach with turquoise waters, lush tall rocks and pebbles.
•  Armenopetra (Northwest Skopelos): A known beach with clean sea, thick sand and a huge standing rock at its side.
•  Glysteri (Northeast Skopelos): A relatively small quiet beach with nice turquoise water and pebble. It is in a verdant bay.
•  Perivoliou (Northeast Skopelos): A great beach with sand, thin pebble, and clear green-blue water.
•  Pethameni (North Skopelos): One of the most beautiful beaches of Skopelos with thin pebble and turquoise sea.
•  Glyfoneri (East Skopelos): A peaceful and beautiful beach a bit north of Skopelos town.
•  Sares (East Skopelos): One of the most impressive beaches of Skopelos. It is divided into three smaller beaches, all with thin pebble and turquoise water.

ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Skopelos Island has 23 Monasteries and 360 Churches, 120 of which are within the area of Skopelos Town.

The town of Skopelos was honoured as a Traditional Settlement of Outstanding Beauty (19/10/1978 Presidential Decree 594, 13-11/78, signed by President of Greece Konstantinos Tsatsos). This is the Greek equivalent of a site of Outstanding Architectural Inheritance. Some restrictions stipulate that no new buildings shall be of more than two stories, there must be a sloped ceramic or stone roof in the traditional style, and doors, windows and balconies be made of wood.

POPULAR CULTURE

Skopelos and its neighbour Skiathos were the filming locations of the 2008 film “Mamma Mia”. The wedding procession was filmed at the Agios Ioannis Chapel near Glossa.

TRANSPORT

There is no airport in the island but only heliport for medical emergencies. All commuters travelling from abroad can travel to Athens or Thessaloniki Airports and by ports of Volos Magnesia and Agios Konstantinos Phthiotis to be transferred by Hydrolofoils (Catamaran) or Ferry-boats to Skopelos Island. Alternatively, they can either directly land to Skiathos Airport and then be transferred again by Hydrofoils or Ferry-boats to Skopelos (almost 1 hour trip).

SKOPELOS TOWN – CHORA