Τα 20 κορυφαία αξιοθέατα στα Σαρωνικά Νησιά

This monastery has a patron saint that is very unusual – at least in the Catholic and Protestant denominations. Almost always, the saints to whose protection a parish or monastic community is entrusted are biblical figures from the circle of Jesus or later generations. In Orthodox Christianity, however, we occasionally encounter as a patron saint – as is the case here – a prominent figure from the Old Testament, that is, the Hebrew Bible: the prophet Elijah. His position in the Jewish religion is so significant that he is also mentioned by the authors of the New Testament Gospels in their description of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor – together with Moses.

Vouno lies above the bay of Agios Nikolaos and the settlement of Avlemonas and was historically a place of worship. There are two Byzantine churches here. The eastern one is dedicated to Saint George; it is a simple, single-room vaulted temple with a mosaic floor dating from the 7th century. The mosaic depicts a hunting scene, with meandering birds and bears in a Hellenistic style. According to tradition, the church was built by the Byzantine Empress Theodora. The western church is a single-room domed church of the Kythira type, dedicated to Panagia Myrtidiotissa and Saint Nicholas. The dome stands on a square building, and there are two niches on the eastern side. There are many churches on the island that have a similar architectural design, such as those of Agios Dimitrios in Kampianika of Alexandradon, Agios Nikitas in Kalamos, Agia Kyriaki in Mitata, Agios Nikon in Zagklanikianika, Agios Ioannis Theologos in Chamili (Kalamos) and two of the churches of the Pourko complex.

Vouno lies above the bay of Agios Nikolaos and the settlement of Avlemonas and was historically a place of worship. There are two Byzantine churches here. The eastern one is dedicated to Saint George; it is a simple, single-room vaulted temple with a mosaic floor dating from the 7th century. The mosaic depicts a hunting scene, with meandering birds and bears in a Hellenistic style. According to tradition, the church was built by the Byzantine Empress Theodora. The western church is a single-room domed church of the Kythira type, dedicated to Panagia Myrtidiotissa and Saint Nicholas. The dome stands on a square building, and there are two niches on the eastern side. There are many churches on the island that have a similar architectural design, such as those of Agios Dimitrios in Kampianika of Alexandradon, Agios Nikitas in Kalamos, Agia Kyriaki in Mitata, Agios Nikon in Zagklanikianika, Agios Ioannis Theologos in Chamili (Kalamos) and two of the churches of the Pourko complex.

It is the lighthouse situated at the northernmost point of the island, cape Spathi. It was built under the British rule and is the largest lighthouse built by the British in Greece. It was constructed in 1857 and has a height of 25 meters. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the “simatorio” or “simatologio” (signal-house) that would inform passing ships with the use of flags. Once you get all the necessary instructions and information at the village of Karavas, it is a place worth visiting. Go up the lighthouse and take a look at the view- it is stunning.

In addition to the island's main town, Hydra offers several scattered and remote monasteries, some of which are difficult to reach, and many bathing bays that can be reached either by public boat or taxi boat.

Real estate prices on Hydra are among the most expensive in the country. Cars are nonexistent here; everything is transported by donkeys and mules. Haydra Town is a protected monument, and the island itself is a nature reserve.

The island's main town stretches from the harbor pier up the mountain to a castle ruin. Tourism, along with fishing and arts and crafts, is now the main source of income for the population; agriculture plays a virtually non-existent role. During the summer months, the island can be very crowded, as many Athenians seek relaxation on the car-free island, especially on weekends.

Hydra is approximately 20.5 kilometers long and just under five kilometers wide. The very barren, infertile, and mountainous island reaches a height of 588 meters on Mount Eros. The north side of Hydra is built up and faces the Peloponnese. The east of the island is virtually uninhabited. Here, dense pine forest grows.