Activities
Monasteries in Skiathos
The beautiful Monastery of the Annunciation
The monastery’s reconstruction began in 1794 by a small group of monks who belonged in the movement of “Kollyvathes” and who had to abandon Mount Athos, due to the existing turmoil on the occasion of the proper day when memorial services should be committed. It is located in Agalianos area, just 3.5 km from Skiathos town.
The Monastery of Panagia Kounistra
It is founded in the 17th century and is dedicated to the Presentation of Virgin Mary. According to folk tradition, the icon was found hanging from a pine tree and moving. Thus the name “Kounistra” of the monastery came. It lies approximately 10 km from Skiathos Town. Access is easy since the paved road will bring you up to the door of the monastery.
The Monastery of Saint Charalambos
The monastery is situated on the north side of Skiathos Town and just 5 km from the center. The exact date of its foundation is unknown. However, it is well known that it was renovated in 1809, while the temple and its icons are dated from 1822. In this monastery the famous novelist Alexander Moraitidis from Skiathos lived the last period of his life.
The Monastery of Panagia Kehria
The Monastery of Panagia Kehria is built on a hill above the homonymous bay. It is located on the northwest coast of the island and 8 km from Skiathos Town. It is an isolated monastery, founded in the 18th century and is worth visited in order to admire its significant religious relics and enjoy the wonderful view.
Castle of Skiathos
The Castle of Skiathos for which there are vivid descriptions in the novels of the renowned novelist, Alexander Papadiamantis, is a jewel built on an imposing rock in the northern part of the island, about 15 km from the town of Skiathos.
It was the capital of the island during the Middle Ages and was built in the mid-14th century when the frequent pirate invasions prompted islanders to abandon the town and seek a safe shelter in a natural fortress on a peninsula of the island’s northern part. Protected from the pirates in the natural fortress of the giant rock, with the breathtaking and panoramic view, they founded the Castle City, relocating their ancient town with its approximately 300 houses and 30 churches. The Castle hanging above the sea, connected with a wooden drawbridge, was their safest shelter. Nowadays, concrete stairs have been built leading to the gate of the castle, while only three churches are still preserved. The church of Christ with the wooden temple and the magnificent wall paintings dated from 1695, as well as the church of Saint Nikolas and Saint Marina. Later on, many battles against the Turks took place. From the writings of the great novelist we get information both on the battles themselves and on the life inside the castle.
It was inhabited by the islanders until 1830, when, after the liberation of the Greek people, they decided to abandon it and return to their old town, back to the harbor, in order to rebuild it.
Museums
Museum of Alexander Papadiamantis
He was born in Skiathos in 1851 and died in 1911. He worked in Athens as a journalist and translator in newspapers and magazines, where he published his works. Austere and ascetic, a religious physiognomy (the “saint of Greek letters”), he lived as a “monk in the world”. He wrote novels (“The Emigrant” 1879, “Merchants of Nations” 1882, “The Gypsy girl” 1884, “Christos Milionis” 1885), but he is most known for his short stories (best of all “Christopsomo”, 1887) as well as novellas describing the life of humble people and the nature of his hometown Skiathos, either ethnographically (“The Chalasochorides” 1892, “Vardianos in Sporka” 1893) or realistically (“The Murderess” 1903, “Pink Beaches” 1908) and sometimes with a nostalgic autobiographical tone (“Dream on the wave” 1900). Using an idiomorphic and charming language that combines realism with poetry (“prose poet”), he presents, using psychological truth and sometimes satirical allusions or latent eroticism, his humble heroes on symbols of the human face to its substance.
The museum is located in the heart of the town. In the past, it used to be the house of the Greek poet and novelist Alexander Papadiamantis.
Today, various objects and documents related to the life and work of the famous novelist from Skiathos are exhibited within its walls.
The house of Papadiamantis is located on a picturesque square, adjacent to beautiful restored mansions, which are converted into jewelry stores or art galleries.
Hours of operation: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
There are 4 museums open in the Annunciation Monastery.
The Cleric and Folk Art Museum
You will have the opportunity to admire the cultural and religious heritage, as well as the island’s special traditional art.
The Balkan Wars Museum and the Mmuseum of Historical Instruments
Cultural Center
The Municipality of Skiathos has turned the old school of Bourtzi into a cultural center. Many cultural and educational events are held during the year, especially during the summer, in the festival entitled “Dream on the wave”.
Festivals – Events
• April 23th – The feast of Saint George, during which horse races take place near the lake.
• In July events take place during the marine week
• July 26th – In Platanias there is the feast of Saint Paraskevi.
• August 14th – The procession of the epitaph takes place in the Annunciation monastery in honor of Virgin Mary, a unique tradition in Greece.
• November 21th – The festival of Panagia Kounistra, patron saint of the island, takes place on the day of the Presentation of Virgin Mary.