Skyros or Scyros (in Greek Σκύρος / Skúros ) is a Greek island of the Aegean Sea, pertaining to the Archipel of the Sporades. It is attached to the names Eubée and counts 2.591 inhabitants for 209 km ².

Geography

Skyros is the most extended southernmost island and of the archipelago of Sporades. It is located at the east of the peninsula of Eubée, of which it is distant of 35 km. The island is mainly mountainous, especially in south-west where the mounts Kochylas (792 m) are, Koumari, Piriones and Fanoftis. The climate of the island is characterized by fresh summers and soft winters with few rains and an average annual temperature of 17°C. In the west the gulfs of Kalogria take shape, Pefko, Agios Nicolaos and Tristomo. It is as on the west coast as the port of Linaria is.

History

During its countryside against the Pirate S of Aegean Sea, Cimon conquers Skyros in 475 av. J. - C. It brings back of them to Athens the remainders of Thésée, which are then preserved in Theseum. Starting from this date, Skyros falls under Athenian Hégémonie.

In 340 av. J. - C., the Macedonians take the island in Athens. It remains under their domination until in 192 av. J. - C., date on which Rome force Philippe V of Macedonia to restore it in Athens.

Greek mythology

It is the place where, according to a Homeric legend post- , Thétis mask his/her son Achille, to prevent which it leaves with the Greek warriors for Troy. Equipped as an young girl and answering in the name of Pyrrha (“the russet-red one” in Greek), it is dissimulated among following girls of the king Lycomède. This disguise does not prevent it from having a son, Néoptolème, of the princess Déidamie. Ulysses flushes out finally Achille and takes along it with him to Troy. With this intention, it comes on the island disguised as a travelling merchant, all the young girls precipitate on fabrics, the perfumes, the jewels, the only “girl” who is interested in the weapons, it is of course Achille!

According to another tradition, Achilles on the contrary devastation the island of Skyros to punish Lycomède, assassin by treachery of Thésée fleeing a Athens controlled by the usurper Ménesthée.

Skyros today

The capital of the island is the town of Skyros, also called Hora, which is located on the east coast. It is connected to the port of Linaria by a road of 11 km and has of a court (Justice of the Peace), of a station of gendarmerie, a post office, a college, a college and several schools. Other agglomerations of Skyros: Magaza, Linaria and Loutro.

The inhabitants of the island have as activities agriculture, the breeding, fishing, the craft industry and the collection of resin. Skyros is famous for its small horses (ponies) and its marbles. The most known craft industry of the island is the embroidery, used for the ornamentation of the household linen and the traditional costumes. The island is also famous for its art of the cabinet work. The typical pieces of furniture of Skyros are found in many houses of Athens and other cities. It also offers an interesting production of ceramics. Workshops of popular craft industry located in the capital and at Yalo manufacture objects out of wooden, out of ceramics, braided baskets and weavings. The island produces also honey, fruits, cheese (will myzithra and kefalotyri).

It is there several archeological sites such as Kastro which is located above Hora. It is the old acropolis (of which there remain almost nothing) and the seat of the old kingdom of Lycomède. There exist also several churches of the Middle Ages like saint Georges de Skyros, built on a rock overhanging the sea by Nikiforos Fokas at the 10th century. One will quote also Panayia (Notre-Dame) of Kitso.

Skyros is equipped with beautiful landscapes like those of Yalo, Achylli, Vrachia and of beautiful beaches: Nyfi, Boukes Sorting, Fanari, Diapori. It is in Yalo that, according to the tradition, Achille was going to bathe…

Population

External bonds

• http://membres.lycos.fr/calicedufrelon/skyros.html

• http://users.belgacom.net/peinturedecorative/1marbres/french/12skyros.html
• http://www.inskyros.gr/indexen.htm