Skyros history

Picturesque Skyros is a place where history is closely intertwined with mythology. Archaeological finds indicate that people inhabited this territory as early as the Neolithic era, although the exact date of the city's foundation as an organized settlement is lost in the centuries. In ancient times, the island was known as a refuge for the Pelasgians and Dolopians before becoming a vital strategic point in the Aegean Sea.

Foundation and Legendary Past

The first mentions of Skyros are inextricably linked to the myths with which Greece is so rich. According to legends, it was here that King Lycomedes hid the young Achilles, attempting to save him from participating in the Trojan War, and it is here that the famous hero Theseus met his demise. Historically, the city began to actively form around a fortified acropolis, which served as a reliable defence for the local inhabitants.

Key Development Factors

The development of the city and the island was defined by several important circumstances:

• Strategic Geography: Its location in the centre of the Aegean Sea made Skyros an important point on maritime routes, although it also exposed it to the risk of pirate raids.
• Political Power of Athens: A turning point was the conquest of the island by the Athenian general Cimon in 475 BC. He expelled the pirates and settled the territory with Athenian colonists, firmly linking the city's fate with powerful Athens.
• Natural Fortification: The high rock on which Chora (the main town) is situated provided natural defence and control over the surrounding waters.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Skyros was based on unique natural resources. The island was famous for the extraction of variegated marble, which was highly valued in the ancient world and later actively used by the Romans to decorate luxurious structures. Additionally, livestock farming played a significant role: local goats and a unique breed of small horses were an important part of the agricultural system. The island's culture formed in conditions of relative isolation, which allowed for the preservation of distinctive traditions in woodcarving and ceramics.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of the island of Skyros is filled with changes in rulers and cultural influences, from ancient times to the modern day. Below is a chronology of key events that defined the destiny of this corner of the Aegean Sea.

• 475 BC — Athenian general Cimon conquers the island, expels the Dolopian pirates, and settles the territory with Athenian colonists.
• 322 BC — As a result of the Lamian War, Skyros comes under the control of Macedonia.
• 196 BC — The Roman Empire returns the island to the jurisdiction of Athens, restoring its ancient ties with the city.
• 1207 — Following the Fourth Crusade, power on the island is seized by Venetian nobles from the Ghisi family.
• 1269 — The Byzantine fleet temporarily regains control of the island, but Venetian influence persists.
• 1453 — After the fall of Constantinople, Skyros remains one of the few possessions held by the Venetians in the Aegean Sea.
• 1538 — Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa captures the island, annexing it to the Ottoman Empire.
• 1821 — The island's inhabitants actively join the War of Independence, providing the rebels with financial aid and ships.
• 1830 — According to the London Protocol, Skyros officially becomes part of the independent state of Greece.
• 1915 — The famous English poet Rupert Brooke passes away in Tris Boukes Bay; his grave has become one of the island's landmarks.
• 1973 — The Archaeological Museum of Skyros opens, gathering unique finds from the Mycenaean period to the Roman era.

Stages of Formation and Development

The evolution of Skyros as a city and an important island centre passed through several key stages, each changing its economic and architectural appearance. From an ancient outpost to a modern resort, these transformations shaped the unique atmosphere of the place.

• Athenian Colonization (5th Century BC): The transformation of the island into an Athenian cleruchy became a turning point. The settlement of the territory by Athenian citizens not only strengthened political ties but also introduced a developed urban culture, replacing the archaic way of life of the Dolopians.
• Marble Industry (Roman Period): The discovery of large-scale extraction of unique variegated marble elevated the economy to an international level. Exporting stone to Rome for the construction of imperial forums and palaces ensured the city's prosperity and an influx of merchant capital.
• Religious Urban Planning (Byzantine Era): The founding of the Monastery of Saint George in 962 created a new dominant feature. Life in the settlement concentrated around the monastery at the top of the rock, which predetermined the vertical structure of the capital's (Chora) development.
• Defensive Urbanization (Venetian Rule): In the 13th–15th centuries, the constant threat of piracy forced residents to build houses close to one another around the Kastro fortress. This formed the famous architectural labyrinth of narrow streets, serving as natural protection against wind and invasions.
• Flourishing of Crafts (18th–19th Centuries): Under conditions of relative isolation, a unique tradition of interior design (the "Skyrian house") developed. The advancement of woodcarving and ceramics became the basis of the domestic economy and cultural identity, preserved to this day.
• Transport Integration (20th Century): The modernization of the port of Linaria and the creation of regular ferry services to the mainland allowed the island to become part of the unified economic space governed by Greece. This simplified the export of agricultural products and the import of goods.
• Tourism Renovation (Modernity): The construction of an airport and improvement of the road network opened the region to international tourism. This transformation allowed the economy to reorient from the agrarian sector to the service sector while preserving the authentic appearance of the city.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The architecture of the island of Skyros represents a unique phenomenon, combining features of Cycladic minimalism with elements characteristic of the Northern Sporades. The urban development of the capital (Chora) was dictated for centuries by the need for protection. The city formed as an impregnable fortress: white houses, like sugar cubes, climb up the steep slope of the rock towards the summit, where the Venetian castle reigns. The streets here are intentionally made narrow and winding to confuse invaders and protect residents from strong Aegean winds.

Styles and Historical Eras

In the appearance of the city, one can read the history of changing authorities and cultural influences. Each era left its imprint in stone and layout:

• Byzantine Period and Middle Ages: The dominant element is defensive architecture. The walls of the Kastro and the layout of the old town, where the outer walls of the outermost houses form a continuous defensive rampart, date back to times when Greece suffered from pirate raids.
• Venetian Style: The influence of Venice (13th–15th centuries) can be traced in the heraldic symbols (marble lions) above the entrances to the fortress and in the structure of the castle itself, which was significantly fortified to control the sea.
• Vernacular Architecture (Folk Style): The traditional houses of Chora have a cubic shape and flat roofs, which is typical for the Cyclades, unlike the tiled roofs of neighbouring islands. However, the interiors of these houses are unique: they are distinguished by intricate woodcarving and the presence of a "boulme"—a carved wooden partition with a fireplace.
• Neoclassicism and Modern (19th–20th Centuries): In the port area of Linaria and the settlements of Molos and Magazia, which developed in more peaceful times, one can encounter buildings with tiled roofs, large windows, and spacious courtyards, indicating a transition from a defensive function to comfortable living.

Landmark Structures

The appearance of Skyros is shaped by several key architectural landmarks, visible from almost any point in the city:

• Kastro (Byzantine Fortress): An ancient acropolis rebuilt by the Byzantines and Venetians. Although ruins remain of the fortifications themselves, they still crown the rock, creating a dramatic silhouette of the city.
• Monastery of Saint George (962): Located within the fortress walls, this monastery is a masterpiece of ecclesiastical architecture. Its austere exterior contrasts with the rich interior decoration and frescoes.
• Rupert Brooke Square: An example of modern urban intervention harmoniously integrated into the landscape. The square, featuring the bronze statue of "Immortal Poetry," is located on the edge of the rock, offering a panoramic view of the sea and the lower town.

Legendary and Historical Figures

The history of the island is inextricably linked with the names of great heroes of myths, military commanders, and figures of art. These people, who lived in different eras, formed the unique cultural heritage that Skyros is proud of today.

• Lycomedes (Mythological Era)
  King of the Dolopians and ruler of the island
  A key figure in local myths. According to legends, it was at his court that the young Achilles hid, and it was Lycomedes who caused the death of the legendary Theseus by throwing him from a high rock out of fear for his throne.
• Achilles (Mythological Era)
  Greatest hero of the Trojan War
  The hero's mother, the goddess Thetis, hid him here to prevent his participation in the war, disguising him in women's clothing. On the island, Achilles lived among the king's daughters and became the father of Neoptolemus, who later also went to Troy.
• Theseus (Mythological Era)
  Athenian king and national hero
  The conqueror of the Minotaur found his final resting place on this island. In the 5th century BC, his supposed remains were solemnly transferred to Athens, which became a significant political and religious event.
• Cimon (approx. 510–450 BC)
  Athenian general and politician
  In 475 BC, he captured the island, expelled the pirates, and annexed the territory to the Delian League. His actions firmly linked the fate of the region with the mainland civilization epitomized by ancient Greece.
• Rupert Brooke (1887–1915)
  English Romantic poet
  A famous poet of the First World War era, he died on a French hospital ship near the island and was buried in a secluded olive grove in Tris Boukes Bay. His grave has become a place of pilgrimage for literature lovers.
• Manos Faltaits (1938–2012)
  Artist, writer, and folklorist
  Founder of the Faltaits Folklore Museum, one of the first local museums in the country. He dedicated his life to preserving the unique culture, history, and traditional crafts of his native island.