Skopelos, the second largest of the Sporades islands after Skyros, lies east of Pelion between Skiathos and Alonnisos, 60 nautical miles from Volos . It is a picturesque, well-watered island with abundant greenery and pleasant beaches. Traditionally, its houses were white with roofs of greeny blue slate but, unfortunately, many of these have been replaced with red files. The island is renowned for its pears and plums, and the decorative costumes of its womenfolk. Apart from the capital, Skopelos, the island has three villages: Glossa, N. Klima and Loutraki, its second port. There is also a small port at Agnonta.

The Hora in Skopelos is one of the most attractive towns In Aegean. The beauty of its buildings is complemented by a riot of flowering vines and potted plants. The town alone boasts more than 100 lovely old churches.

Twenty-eight Idlometres of paved road connect all the main sites and villages on the island, beginning with Staphylos Bay on the south coast. From there the road winds round to the northwest along the coast to

Loutraki, the port of Glossa . on the west facing Skiathos.

Staphylos, so closely linked with the island's prehistory, and from there to Agnonta, a sheltered, horseshoe shaped harbour. Panormos the prettiest and largest bay on the island, also has a concealed, fjordlike cove that provides a safe anchorage for yachts in any weather. Milia, considered by many to be the island's finest beach, actually consists of three- crescent shaped stretches of white sand rimmed with pine forest, The road then leads to Elios, and to Glossa. Loutraki is Glossa's port, and all ships stop here as well as at Hora. Caiques sail from the main port to all those places, as well as along the weatherbeaten northeast coast and to beaches inaccessible by car.

All that remains, are the famous monasteries of Skopelos, which boast rare murals, icons, and wood reliefs, built high up on the slopes with incredible views to the sea.

HISTORY

In antiquity, Skopelos had the unusual name of Peparethos. The Minoans established a colony there, and it is said that its first settler and ruler was the mythical Staphylos, the son of Dionysos and Ariadne. A tomb discovered in 1927 at Staphylos Bay , is thought to have belonged to him. Among the many rich finds were a solid gold scepter, kept in the Volos Archaeological Museum , and a large gold sword handle, in the Athens National Archaeological Museum .

The name Skopelos was acquired during the Hellenistic era. At the end of the Roman era, the island's patron saint and first bishop, Realness was martyred there. During the Byzantine era, Skopelos was used as a place of exile. In 1204, it was taken over by the Venetians and was recaptured later by Likarios, a knight in the service of Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. It remained Greek until 1453, the year Constantinople fell to the Turks and the Venetians regained control, In 1538, a Turkish Admiral, Barbarossa, plundered the island and slaughtered the entire population, Skopelos continued to be deserted for many years, and it was only in the 17th and 18th century that it regained life and social organization. Skopelos, the second largest of the Sporades islands after Skyros, lies east of Pelion between Skiathos and Alonnisos, 60 nautical miles from Volos . It is a picturesque, well-watered island with abundant greenery and pleasant beaches. Traditionally, its houses were white with roofs of greeny blue slate but, unfortunately, many of these have been replaced with red files. The island is renowned for its pears and plums, and the decorative costumes of its womenfolk. Apart from the capital, Skopelos, the island has three villages: Glossa, N. Klima and Loutraki, its second port. There is also a small port at Agnonta.