Poros from Galatas on the mainland83°F/28°c
Poros Πόρος is a small Greek island in the southern Saronic Gulf, some 58 km or 31 nautical miles south from Pireas and separated from the Peloponnese [mainland] by a 200-meter wide sea channel, opposite the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait. Its area is 31 square kilometers (12 square miles) and it has 4,117 inhabitants. The town of Poros has 4,102 of these inhabitants. The only other inhabited settlement is Ágios Nektários (pop. 15). The ancient name of Poros was Pogon. Like other ports in the Saronic, it is a popular weekend destination for Athenian travelers.
Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short getaways to escape the bustle of the capital. Poros is easily accessible from Athens via ferry or hydrofoil or from Galatas.
Poros has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Graves on the island have been dated to the Mycenaean period, and man-made structures have existed on it since at least 1000 BCE.
The ancient polis of Kalaureia was home to an asylum dedicated to Poseidon, the ruins of which are still accessible on a hilltop close to the town. This asylum may have been linked to the sanctuaries at Geraistos and Tainaros. Historians claimed that Poros was home to an Amphictyony in the Archaic period, a league of the city states Poros, Athens, Prassiai, Aegina, Epidaurus, Hermione, Troizene, Nauplio and Orchomenus.
In Byzantine times, Poros and other islands were often raided by pirates. During the Ottoman occupation Poros remained independent, and helped neighboring islands after the start of the Greek War of Independence.
More information: http://www.poros.gov.gr/
Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short getaways to escape the bustle of the capital. Poros is easily accessible from Athens via ferry or hydrofoil or from Galatas.
Poros has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Graves on the island have been dated to the Mycenaean period, and man-made structures have existed on it since at least 1000 BCE.
The ancient polis of Kalaureia was home to an asylum dedicated to Poseidon, the ruins of which are still accessible on a hilltop close to the town. This asylum may have been linked to the sanctuaries at Geraistos and Tainaros. Historians claimed that Poros was home to an Amphictyony in the Archaic period, a league of the city states Poros, Athens, Prassiai, Aegina, Epidaurus, Hermione, Troizene, Nauplio and Orchomenus.
In Byzantine times, Poros and other islands were often raided by pirates. During the Ottoman occupation Poros remained independent, and helped neighboring islands after the start of the Greek War of Independence.
More information: http://www.poros.gov.gr/
