Page 96 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

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Salamína
Σαλαμίνα
EXPERIENCE The Argo-Saronic Islands Salamína is the largest (and
g Paloúkia & Selínia
@ Salamína town
n salamina.gr
closest to Athens) of the
Saronic Gulf islands. Ancient
Salamis was the site of the
famous, eponymous battle
in 480 BC, when the Greeks
defeated the Persians. The
king of Persia, Xerxes, watched
his cumbersome ships being
destroyed in Salamis Bay,
trapped by the faster triremes
Both are coastal resorts with
charming streets at the
of a smaller Greek fleet under
attractive beaches.
old port of Spétses town
command of Themistokles. 5 km (3 miles) away via Peráni. A visitor exploring the
In the north of the island,
Modern Salamína island is a 6 km (4 miles) from town, the
cheerful medley of working- 17th-century Faneroméni produced by the island was
class homes, whitewashed monastery (closes 1pm) con- Admiral Laskarína Bouboulina,
churches and tavernas; its east ceals vivid frescoes created who men aced the Ottomans
coast has a string of marine in 1735 by Georgios Markou. from her flagship Agamemnon
scrapyards and naval bases. Today, 18 nuns tend the and led her fleet of ships into
Salamína town, the island’s peacock-patrolled gardens. battle in the fierce Greek War
charmless capital, sprawls The boathouse was used as a of Independence in the early
amid vineyards. Adjacent retreat from 1944 to 1951 by 19th century.
Ágios Nikólaos has more prominent modern Greek During the 1920s, Spétses
character, with 19th-century poet Angelos Sikelianos. became a fashionable resort.
mansions lining the quay. Vehicles are restricted, but
Eándio, the main village scooters can be hired, and
of southern Salamína, has 3 buses serve the beaches.
a small pebble beach; a road Spétses town runs along the
leads south to Peristéria Spétses north coast for 2 km (1 mile),
Σπέτσες but its focus is café-fringed
Dápia port. The grandest of
g @ Spétses town many mansions houses the
n Spétses town; www. Hatzigiannis Mexis Museum,
spetses.gr
with Bouboulina’s wooden
The name Spétses is a ossuary and figure heads from
corruption of Pityousa, her ship. Her family mansion is
or “piney”, the ancient still owned by her descen-
moniker for this green dants, and now houses the
island. After a series of Bouboulina Museum.
occupations, Spétses South east of here, the 17th-
developed as a naval century church of Ágios
power, supplying a Nikólaos has a fine votsalotó
fleet for the Greek (pebble-mosaic) courtyard.
revolution. The most A ring road passes by all the
famous hero to be island beaches; alternatively,
use taxi boats. Going anti-
clockwise, the most scenic
beach is the pine-fringed arc
A memorial honouring of Agía Paraskevi. The next
the fighters at the cove along, Ágii Anárgyri,
Battle of Salamis offers watersports facilities
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