Skiathos Island History

KASTRO: Discover the Fortress Ruins of Skiathos' Ancient Capital.

KASTRO: Discover the Fortress Ruins of Skiathos' Ancient Capital.

Skiathos’ famous Kastro - the Greek word for castle - is a monument of extraordinary, awe-inspiring beauty. Due to constant pirate invasions in the mid 14th century, the Skiathos inhabitants decided to leave their ancient, main city, and move to the northern part of the island for safety. Taking advantage of its natural fortification, they chose a point of high land jutting out into the sea, a large rocky promontory on which to build Kastro as their new capital and keep the

Panagia Kounistra Monastery and its Miracle Legend

Panagia Kounistra Monastery and its Miracle Legend

Panagia Kounistra Monastery, also known as Panagia Eikonistria Monastery is another picturesque monastery on Skiathos, tucked away in the middle of a pine forest on the southwestern side of the island. According to legend, one night in 1650, a monk, who led an ascetic life and was named Symeon, was surprised to see a twinkling light in the forest. Upon approaching it, the light receded, only to reappear and disappear again several times, so that he was unable to see what it