Page 108 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

EXPERIENCE MORE

2 for the key at the museum).
Inside, pebble floor mosaics
Ancient Eretria show sphinxes and panthers,
Αρχαία Ερέτρια and lions attacking horses.
At Lépoura, east of modern
EXPERIENCE The Sporádes and Évvia 1890s at ancient Eretria, Stýra, with an engagingly
@ # 8am–3pm (gate may
Eretria, the island trunk road
be left open)
divides. The southerly turning
leads to the hill village of
Excavations begun in the
decorated kafenío (café) at the
22 km (14 miles) southeast of
Halkída, have revealed a
central junction; from here, a
side road leads down to the
sophisticated ancient city-
seaside resort of Néa Stýra.
state that was destroyed by
This town offers the cheapest,
the Persians in 490 BC and by
the Romans in AD 198. At the
shortest and most scenic
ferry route to or from the
height of its power, Eretria
had colonies in both Italy and
Asia Minor. The ancient har-
tavernas to eat at before
any car, offering an impressive
departure or after arrival.
bour is silted up, but evidence
of its maritime wealth can be mainland and plenty of Stení is paved and passable to
passage through forested
seen in the ruined agora, tem- Archaeological Museum mountains, high above the
ples, gymnasium, theatre and " ⌂ Arhéou Theátrou 1, Aegean. Much loved by Greeks
sanctuary, located in the near main archaeological who come for its cool climate
north of modern Eretria town. site § 22290 62206 and fine scenery, Stení is also
Artifacts from the ancient # 8am–3pm daily popular with hikers bound for
city (and elsewhere in Évvia) Mount Dírfys. This mountain is
fill the town’s Archaeological the island’s highest peak at
Museum. Tomb finds include 3 1,744 m (5,720 ft), offering
some bronze cauldrons and spectacular views from the
funerary urns. There are also Stení summit. A brisk seven- to
votive offerings from the Στενή eight-hour round-trip walk
Temple of Apollo, gold jewel- ⌂ 31 km (20 miles) NE of followed by a late lunch or
lery and terracotta Eros early carnivorous dinner at
figures from a 4th-century BC Halkída @ one of Stení’s many grill
Macedonian tomb. Despite appearances on tavernas is the usual pro-
Archaeologists have also maps, the 51-km (32-mile) gramme. Shops sell local
restored the early 4th-century inland road between Kými specialities like wild herbs,
BC House with Mosaics (ask and the mountain resort of honey and candied nuts.
DRAGON HOUSES 4
From the main road at Kárystos
Stýra, a signpost points
the way to the enigmatic Κάρυστος
drakóspita, or dragon ⌂ 130 km (80 miles) SE of
houses. Constructed with Halkída g @
huge slabs of stone, they
are named after the only Kárystos, overlooked by Castel
creatures thought capable Rosso (always open), the
of carrying such weight. original castle built in the 13th
There are similar sites on century, and the village of
Mount Óhi and Mount Mýli, where plane trees sur-
Ymittós. All three are round several tavernas, has
near stone quarries, and existed since ancient times.
it is believed that Carian The modern town dates from
slaves from Asia Minor the 1840s, and the grid of
built them as temples streets is still lined by many
around the 6th century BC. fine Neo-Classical buildings.
One of these, the Mégaro
108
108-109_EW_Greek_Islands.indd 108 27/11/2018 16:42

EW Must-see / Catalogue template v1.1 – 18th May 2018
Fonts: Aptifer Sans LT Pro, Posterama Text, Soho Gothic
Pro, Soho Pro, ITC Caslon 224