Scyros

Scyros, known in modern Greek as Skyros, is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea and the principal island of the Sporades archipelago. It is part of the regional unit of Euboea in Central Greece and serves as the seat of the municipality of Skyros. The island lies off the northern coast of Euboea, separated from the mainland by the Skyros Strait. Its terrain is rugged, with a mountainous interior and a long coastline dotted with beaches. The main settlement is Skyros town (Chora), on the southeastern coast, which provides the island’s ferry port and a historic fortress.

In Greek mythology, Scyros is famous as the place where the hero Achilles was hidden by his mother Thetis among the daughters of King Lycomedes to avoid his conscription for the Trojan War. The island is referenced by classical writers and has a long history that includes periods under Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, and Ottoman rule. In the modern era, Scyros became part of the modern Greek state in the 19th century and developed a coastal economy centered on fishing and agriculture, later expanding into tourism.

Culture and economy on Skyros center on a distinctive rural heritage. The island is known for the Skyros pony, a small native horse breed associated with the community. Today, tourism, olive oil production, and farming complement its traditional livelihoods. Skyros maintains regular ferry connections with the Greek mainland and nearby islands, with the main port located in Skyros town.