A unique destination, a pleasant surprise for those that want a peaceful way of life and are interested in an alternative form of relaxation. It is said that Seferis (Greek poet, Nobel prize winner) found on Skyros his “secret seashore, white like a pigeon” (Extract of one of Seferis poems).
It seems as the island of Skyros consists of two smaller islands: the barren, rocky southern part, where goats and horses live and the northern part that is fertile and full of pine trees.
Skyros greets all the travelers with the beautiful town of the island that looks over to the Aegean Sea, the picturesque bays with their crystal clear waters, the hiking paths and the tradition that is still kept today. The island belongs geographically to the municipality of Vories Sporades but in matters of administration it is part of Evia. There is a decent road system that accommodates the biggest part of the island, which you will explore better if you have your own car.
The famous horses of Skyros must be included in the description of the island. They are a semi-wild species that date back to the ancient times and lives on the mountains. They have a small body but strong feet and are one of the rarest, preserved species around the world. There are 260 horses in Greece, 187 of which live on Skyros.
It would be wrong not to talk about “trohadia”, the traditional footwear of the island that is still worn by the younger and older generations. They were named after the verb “treho” (which means run). They are handmade and consist of leather while later car tire (the so called “Michelin” model) was added at the bottom so that they would not slip. Originally, they were crafted by the father for the son while today they are sold in all shops with folklore art items.
The residents of Skyros have also their special dialect. They often replace the letter “k” with the combination “ts” and “o” with “e”. They have many words and phrases that do not exist or used in another form in the rest of Greece.
In order to learn about the tradition of the island you must pay a visit to a house of Skyros. In the second floor you will find the “sfa”, which used to be the bedroom that was connected with the kitchen in the first floor through a staircase. All the houses have a fireplace with a shelf that is called “skatzidi” and wooden shelves with carved details that are decorated with small jugs and bottles. Moreover, the ceiling is made of long masts. The women that were responsible for the decoration of the house used fine pieces of embroidery to decorate different parts of it. The patterns they created with their golden threads also served as a kind of family emblem.
The residents of Skyros are lively, heartily, nice and hospitable people and are especially happy when the visitors are interested in their history and tradition. They are so proud of their island and are ready to give you lots of historic information or even a mini-tour around!
The carefree strolls in the alleys of the Chora, the talks with the polite residents, the breathtaking view of the bay of Atsitsa, the artistic activities will be some of the reasons that will make you fell in love with the island and nod positively every time someone suggests a trip to Skyros.