HYDRA
Vacations and Sightseeing
Vacations and Sightseeing
| Basic information | |
| Official language | Greek |
| Capital | Hydra-port |
| Area | 62 km² |
| Population | 1,982 (2011, last known) |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
| Web | .gr |
| Code. | GRC |
| Tel. | +30 |
Popular destinations GREECE
| Aegina | Alonissos | Andros |
| Chios | Corfu | Crete |
| Hydra | Kalymnos | Karpathos |
| Kefalonia | Kos | Lefkas |
| Lesbos | Mykonos | Naxos |
| Paros | Patmos | Peloponnese |
| Poros | Rhodes | Samos |
| Santorini | Skiathos | Skopelos |
| Spetses | Thasos | Zakynthos |
Vacations and Sightseeing
Hydra Town is the capital of Hydra. It is a beautiful small town, with a small, hidden natural harbour that is only visible from a perpendicular angle. Hydra-town has been declared a traditional and protected place because of its beautiful, large mansions (archontiká), built between 1780 and 1820 by wealthy ship owners and traders. The traditional houses, with two, three or four floors, are very close to each other, between two rugged hills, separated by narrow streets and alleys paved with whitewashed stones. The houses, which are unique to the Greek islands, have beautiful roofs and brightly coloured windows, doors and loggias, creating a colourful townscape.
One of the finest examples of this typical Hydriot architecture is the Lazaros Koundouriotis House, built in 1780 and beautifully restored in the 1990s. The interior is lavish with hand-painted ceiling mouldings, gilded mouldings, fine marquetry and floors with black and white marble tiles. Costumes, jewellery, woodcarvings and pottery are also on display, while three rooms with paintings by Periklis Vyzantinos and his son can be seen on the ground floor.
The whole town is original, untouched by modern architecture or large hotel complexes. The traditional architecture is protected and there is a law that forbids any new buildings that are not built according to the traditional and authentic colour and style. Hydra is a small oasis of silence, where any form of motorised vehicle is prohibited and where transport by donkey or mule is still the norm. This is also one of the reasons why many Athenians visit Hydra mainly on weekends, to escape the hectic life in the always busy capital Athens.
Hydra is not really known for its vibrant beach life, but swimming is common at the beaches of Molos, Kaoumithi, Nisiza, Klimaki, Vlichos, Megalo Kamini, Mikri Kamini, Plakes Vlichou, Palamida, Bisti, Agios Georgios, Agios Nikolaos, Spilia, Hydroneta, Avlaki, and Mandraki. The most beautiful beach on Hydra is generally referred to as Limnioniza, which is located in the remote south. It should be noted, however, that apart from Mandraki all the beaches are pebble or rocky.
The Hydra Historical Archives and Museum has a collection of historical artifacts and paintings dating back to the 18th century, as well as a large collection of about 20,000 manuscripts, codices, and other historical documents. There are also figureheads of ships from the War of Independence in 1821, old weapons, navigation aids, portraits of Hydra's heroes and costumes such as the dark 'karamani', trousers worn by Hydrian men in the past.
The last weekend of June is reserved on Hydra for the Miaoulis Festival, in honour of Admiral Andreas Vokos Miaoulis, who was a great war hero during the Greek War of Independence. The whole weekend is filled with music, dance, sports and fireworks.
Sources
Wikipedia
CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles
Last updated March 2024Copyright: Team The World of Info