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Skopelos Town
Skopelos Town |
Welcome to Skopelos Town!
The capital of Skopelos island, also called Chora, a common name for the capitals of almost all of the Aegean Islands, sits amphitheatrically overlooking the harbor, and it is surely one of the most beautiful capitals in the Aegean. Old Venetian-style houses sit comfortably alongside newer houses with balconies filled with flowers. They sweep down the hillside surrounding the port, with tree-covered hills and mountains looming behind; red-tiled roofs interspersed with the occasional old slag roof of white or blue, idyllic side streets and lanes, flower-filled courtyards, more than 100 churches and chapels; and all crowned by the Venetian castle at the top.
In the capital, you will find everything that you need, including accommodation, tavernas, bars, shops, and some local caique trips to the Tripiti cave (where they catch the local lobsters) and up along the northern coast above the capital, an area not accessible by road. There is a small folklore museum in town, the ruins of the fortress above the town, plus several excellent churches to view, either for their icons, interiors, or frescoes. These include Ai. Athanasios inside the Kastro, Zoodochos Pigis in the town, and, at the end of town, the old fortified monastery of Episkopi.
If you like long walks, you can leave the town heading eastward and visit the monasteries of Evangelistrias and Prodhromou, which are actually convents, and further on to Metamorfosis, an abandoned monastery now slowly being rebuilt. There is access by paved road, as well, in case you’re feeling a bit lazy.
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