Visit Greece | Argosaronico gulf

The most famous island group in the Aegean Sea comprises some of the most beautiful islands in the world! Gorgeous sandy beaches, architecture in white and blue, traditional lifestyle, folk music, warm, hospitable people and barren landscapes with isolated chapels turn a trip to the Cyclades into a lifetime experience.

The name “Cyclades” refers to the islands forming a circle (the name in English means: “Argosaronico gulf”) around the sacred island of Delos. According to the Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, furious at the Cyclades nymphs turned them into islands.

destination

Hydra

The Hydra gulf lies between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf and is one of the most popular yacht charter areas in Greece. The island of Hydra (ancient Hydraea) itself is a bare monolithic ridge of limestone, 12 km long by 5 km wide, lying off the south-east coast of the Argolid. Arid and infertile, it lives mainly from the tourist trade and the sale of craft products (jewellery, pottery, embroidery, hand-woven cloth, leather-work). A tempting local specialty is the almond cake called amygdalote. North-west of Hydra is the little grazing island of Dokos (the ancient Aperopia), with the village of the same name in a sheltered bay on the north coast. The mainland (in fact the Peloponnese peninsula) features many interesting anchorages and the handsome village of Ermioni.

Hydra was already settled in Mycenaean times, but was of little importance until the 18th century. In the 15th century and again in 1770, after the revolt in the Morea, Albanian refugees made their home on the island, and as a result of their efforts – in trade and shipping, but also in piracy – it became prosperous and wealthy. During the War of Greek Independence the Hydriots converted their trading vessels into warships and met a large proportion of the cost of the war.

The little town of Hydra, climbs picturesquely up the slopes of the hills round its sheltered harbour on the north coast of the island. It is now a favorite resort for painters and intellectuals, who give the town its particular aspect and atmosphere. On the quay is the old Conventual Church of the Panyia (17th c.), with a beautiful cloister.

Hydra was already settled in Mycenaean times, but was of little importance until the 18th century. In the 15th century and again in 1770, after the revolt in the Morea, Albanian refugees made their home on the island, and as a result of their efforts – in trade and shipping, but also in piracy – it became prosperous and wealthy. During the War of Greek Independence the Hydriots converted their trading vessels into warships and met a large proportion of the cost of the war.

destination

SPETSES

Spetses, the ancient Pityousa (Island of Pines), is a hilly and well-wooded island off the south-west coast of the Argolida.
The income of the inhabitants comes from farming and now, to an even greater extent, from the tourist trade, for the island’s mild climate attracts large numbers of holiday-makers. This mild climate is described by the Admiralty pilot to be “exceedingly healthy” and is indeed more appealing than Hydra or Dokos. No motor vehicles are allowed on Spetses apart from public service vehicles.

In antiquity Spetses was an island of no importance. After the Orlov Rising, a rebellion against the Turks supported by Catherine of Great Russia, the population was expelled from the island in 1770 and Spetses town was laid to waste.

The inhabitants soon returned to their island, however, and their trading and seafaring activities brought them prosperity. In 1821 Spetsai was the first island to take part in the War of Independence: an event commemorated every year by ceremonies in the Madonna Armada Chapel in Ayia Marina.

The island’s capital, Spetses is built on the gentle slopes above the wide bay containing its harbour. The present town, with a number of handsome mansions and three interesting churches in Kastelli, the upper town, dates from the 19th century. There is a local museum in a late 19th century mansion. The tour of the island (12 km) is a pleasant day’s walk, or it can be done in a horse-drawn carriage.