Skiathos is a little Greek Island in the Aegean Sea. The island is filled with azure coloured seas and lush green scenery. During summer, it bustles with visitors from all walks of life which run into hundreds of thousands. These are some amazing facts about Skiathos.
Theatrical debut
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The name ‘Skiathos’ may not strike a chord, but lovers of cinema will be amazed to know that the Award winning movie, ‘Mama Mia’ was shot on this island. Tourists throng this Island to peruse the nook and crannies of where the remarkable movie was shot.
Green Island
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Skiathos is a verdant island that is filled with lots of forests and trees of fruits like figs, olive, plum, almond, and grapes.
Souvlaki
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It is said that the best souvlaki in Greece is sold in Skiathos. There are numerous souvlaki stores sprinkled all over the island, and one of the most popular shops is the popular ‘No Name’ gyro and souvlaki shop.
Sporades Island
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Skiathos makes up part of the island group referred to as Sporades. Sporades means ‘the scattered ones’ in reference to Aegean archipelago that was outside the Cyclades. The Sporades Island is 24 in number, but only 4 of them including Skiathos have inhabitants in them. These islands are also referred to as Thessalian Sporades.
The legend of 300
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Skiathos Island played a significant albeit minor role when Persia went to war with the 300 Spartans. The fleet of Xerxes, the king of Persia, was interrupted by a great storm on the coast of the island. Due to this development, the Greek fleet barricaded the surrounding seas to prevent their enemies, the Persians from gaining entry. This led to the defeat of the Persians.
First National Flag
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Greece’s first flag was designed and hoisted in a popular monastery, the Evangelistria Monastery in Skiathos in the 19th century. In attendance were prominent Greeks and religious figures.
Shipbuilding center
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During the 1900s, the island became a flourishing center for the construction of ships. The ships were built with woods from the pine forests which dominate the island. Till date, a tiny shipwright located at the northern part of the island’s town still builds caiques, a traditional type of Greek boats.
Notable sites of attraction
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Like other islands, Skiathos has quite some lovely buildings which serve as a site of attractions for tourists. Some of these sites include the ruins of Kastro, Holy Monastery of Evangelistria, Old Monastery of Panaghia Ekonistria, Old Monastery of Panaghia Kechria, Byzantine Church of Christ in the Castle and more.
Home of the best beaches
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Skiathos has an enviable seascape. The beaches are a testament to this. They are filled with sands which stretch down to the horizon and azure waters which are perfect for watersports. Some of the popular beaches in Skiathos include Koukounaries beach, Lalaria, Banana beach, Xanemos, Megali Ammos, Achladies, Vromolimnos, Maratha and so on. Koukonaries beach has been rated the 7th best beach on earth and the very best in all of Greece.