|
| |
|
|
|
| Alonissos is one of the Sporades group
of islands. It is accessible by flying into the nearby island of Skiathos
and then taking a ferry on to Alonissos. Quieter than its much busier
neighbours Skiathos and
Skopelos, the island has a tranquil charm Most of the islands
activities are centred around the main port of Patitiri and the old
village of Chora, where can be found the usual collection of cafes, bars
and tavernas. |
| |
|
 |
| |
|
Beaches are mostly made up of pebbles, but
there is good walking to be had along the spine of the island, from
which can be seen some wonderful sea views. If walking is not for you,
then there are cars and motor cycles for hire, which is especially
useful as busses on the island are few and far between. |
| |
|
 |
| |
|
On the hill above the port of Patitiri stands the
picturesque village of Hora,
once the capital of the island. This
charming village with its traditional whitewashed houses and narrow
paved streets, was abandoned after it was
destroyed in an earthquake in 1965. Many of the houses have since been
restored, and a number of them have been converted into shops and
restaurants. The village boasts some incredible views over the Aegean Sea
to the neighbouring island of Skopelos. |
| |
|
 |
| |
|
Steni Vala is a small fishing port with a daily bus service to Patitiri in
the high season. Popular with flotilla sailors, the quayside ha a number
of good tavernas. The best direction to approach the village is from the
south, as there are some spectacular sea views. Nearby is the deserted
island of Peristera. The headquarters of the Hellenic Society for the
Protection of the Monk Seal is based in the village, and if you are lucky,
you may see a number of seals recuperating in the small rescue centre.
Steni Vala itself does not have a beach, but if you wish to swim, there
are a number of small bays along the coast at Glyfada, Glifes and Tzortzi.
They can be reached by walking along a track, or there is the option of
hiring a small boat. |
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
Rousoum Gialos has
a nice pebble beach and is
one of
the best beaches on the island. As it is located so close to the main town
of Patitiri, it is also a very popular beach,
with beautiful crystal clear water, and situated within a beautiful bay.
This beach resort was built
after
the 1965 earthquake and has a good number of
hotels, and apartments, plus a couple of fish taverns. |
| |
History
In
ancient times
Alonissos was known as Ikos. and was not known as Alonissos until 1831
when Greece gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire.
During excavations on the island, evidence was found of Stone Age
settlements that are believed to have been occupied when the island was
still
connected to the Pelio Peninsula.
In the fourth century B.C. The
Spartans
invaded Alonissos and then recaptured by the
Athenian
Alliance. Later during the wars between the Athenians and the Macedonians,
the island
came under the power of Phillip of Macedonia. Then followed
a period of relative stability until 146 B.C. and the arrival of the
Romans. During the third century A.D.
Alonissos
became a Christian island
as by then it had become part of the Byzantine Empire.
During
the Crusades,
the
Sporades were captured by the Christians. With the fall of the
Byzantine Empire in 1453,
the Venetians
gained control of the island. In 1538 the famous pirate, Barbarossa
captured the island on behalf of the Ottoman Empire.The island remained
under Ottoman control, although its inhabitants were involved in uprisings
and the revolution of 1821. Ten years later, the Treaty of London
established Alonissos as part of the Hellenic state. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
