Poros - Saronic Gulf

Just two or three miles off the mainland shore, stands Poros, decorated with green hills, that reach the sea and main port with numerous seaside cafes and tavernas. An ideal spot for those who want both a quiet swim and intense night life. Across the water, on the Peloponnisos shore, you can enjoy an evening stroll, among the lemon trees, in the renowned lamonodassos.

Approaching Poros by boat, its historic clock is imposing from the distance on the highest top of the hill, among prickly pears and pine trees. It was built in 1927, it is visible from every part and it is the jewel of the town.

Poros is the island of peace, romance and jauntiness. It is overgrown with pine trees which reach the rugged shores or the sandy beaches. The residents of Poros are like all islands, spontaneous, decent and hospitable. The houses by the sea are big and neoclassical in contrast to the simple two - floored houses in Brinia, Mylos, Pounta and Kasteli.

At the town center, on the boats pier, there is the bus and taxi terminal. From there the boats also depart for the beaches around. Transport in the inland of the island is provided with regular service throughout the day. There is a bus every hour and a boat every ten minutes. At the center of town you can find the archaeological museum , the library, reception rooms, and on the beach there's an open air cinema.

There are many little taverns spread among the pictures - due backstreets of Poros. Along the pier, the visitor sees plenty of cafeterias, restaurants, tourist shops, many bars and discos with foreign and Greek music.

On the outskirts of the town in Northwest there are the Military Navy facilities, the Progymnastirio, the first residence of Othon. That is where today the pretraining of the sailors takes place. After the Progymnastirio, a small canal separates Spheria from Kalavria. After the canal bridge there is the Sinikismos (Settlement), which was first inhabited by Minor Asia refugees. On the left, towards the West, there is Perlia. The road continues along the beach passing through Neorio, the love port, and the Russian Dockyard with the little island Daskalio.

More places you can visit

Poros Harbor - Offers generally good shelter from the weather. Care must be taken when entering the channel. Make sure you stick close to the side of Poros and not that of the Peloponese as there are shallow patches. There is a large quay located on the North side as well as into the channel. The North side is far more quieter as there are no bars located on that side, but can get rough from the wake of the ferries. Fuel and water are available as well as provisioning. There are several tavernas and bars in town.

Ormos Daskalia - This bay offers good shelter for the prevailing winds. It is also offers a pleasant scenery with its silver green pines surrounding the bay.

Ormos Vidhi - There are several coves surrounding the bay which is located on the North side. The water is a bit murky but it is due to the fresh water river that runs into the bay.

History

According to the ancient travel - writer Pausania Poros is comprised of two islands Sphairia and Kalavria (the name Kalavria means "gentle Breeze". Kalavria at first was offered to the god Apollo and he made it over to the god Poseidon in return for Delphi. Kalavria is quite larger than Sphairia and is planted all over. Sphairia is a volcanic rock.In mythology times Aithra founded in Sphairia the temple of Athena Apatoria in honor of her encounter with the god Poseidon

In the north part of the island there are the ruins of Poseidon's Temple, which was built in 520BC. The main Temple was built in Doric style, though some of its columns were Ionian. Nearly the Temple there was the built up area of Kalavria. Such was the place's importance that it functioned as the center for the Amphictyonic League (amphictionnes: dwellers around") a voluntary "cooperative" of city-states in both civic and religious matters, which included Hermione, Epidauros, Aigina, Prassies, Athens and Orhomenos. At the Poseidon's Temple came Demosthenes the ancient great orator availing himself of its right of sanctuary as Philip the King of Macedonia chased him.

Poros played a significant role in 1821 Revolution. It was placed on the map of history in 1828 where rival assemblies met to make important decisions, which set the Constitution in a positive direction. In 1830 the building of the shipyard and naval station at Poros began.