People get tired of the benefits of civilization and try to get away from it at least during vacation. Lately, there are fewer and fewer paradises; you need to go further and further, although in the center of Europe, you can still find beautiful places almost untouched by turbulent civilization. These include the island of Poros, located near Athens.
Poros, of course, is shrouded in ancient Greek mythology, like everything in Greece. Poros is the island of the Sea God Poseidon. This is confirmed by written sources and the ruins of Poseidon's fortress in the middle of the island. This important monument of antiquity stands, perhaps, in very beautiful part of the island. So, no one doubts that Poseidon lived there. However, tere is a temple dedicated to Poseidon, but all we saw were several olive roots and ruins of a temple.
And on the island, there are many remnants of the former glory of battles with the Ottoman yoke. In the 19th century, the government of Greece was located in Poros, and there was a residence of the royals. Also, at one time, the Greek navy was based on this island too.
Now only residents remain on Poros: there are about four thousand of them, and plus, many tourists from Europe. They are attracted by the beaches, the town of the same name, clean air, and extraordinary views.
Poros is mountainous, it takes 20–30 minutes to get to the very top of the island, from where beautiful views of the sea open up. Especially in good weather, which is almost always the case in Greece. Moreover, you can climb up the convenient steps that are thoughtfully provided for tourists to see extraordinary views.
We had a leisurely stroll in these winding, uphill alleys and the successive rows of steps that reached its rocky top. On this hill and inside the small Kasteli fort, the first settlement was built in the 15th century. Today, the symbol of the island, the historic Clock Tower, built in 1927, stands on this place. This is the most recognizable spot in Poros, which caught our eyes when we approached the island and saw a sea of tiled roofs and flowery courtyards spreading below it.
At the top, you want to stay longer, soak up all this space and beauty, the sea and the boats. What beautiful places we have on earth!
But we had to go back down, we wanted to walk along the unusual city streets. On the way back, we came across an old church. It seems that it was molded by hands: so small, cozy, with a narrow door and low ceilings. It seems to have merged with the local landscape, it looks so organic against the backdrop of the sea and mountains! It is calm and prayerful inside.
We admired breathtaking views of the harbor and coastal road, and then we chose one of the steep staircases and climbed between traditional and neoclassical houses, which often seem stuck to the cliffs. The view that pops out from between their roofs made us stop for photos many times, and the highlight, of course, is the clock rock, with a 360-degree view that stretches beyond the tall pines, across the island, the calm waters with the sailboats and the picturesque coves.
It is very easy to get lost on cozy narrow streets, but the exit will always be towards the sea. You can go deep into the island by taxi. These are steel-colored cars, the island is small, sightseeing by taxi will cost only a few euros. But it is much more interesting to walk.
During our walk in the upper city, we easily spotted in its center the metropolitan church of Ag. Georgiou. It is worth seeing its interior, which has made the temple famous.
Poros is built amphitheatrically and stands out for its special color and atmosphere. We wandered through the picturesque narrow streets of Poros with its whitewashed houses smothered in bougainvillea, breathed the sea breeze, had lunch in front of the sea and gazed at the picturesque sea passage with boats coming and going across the bay.
Dozens of sailboats rock in the calm waters and taxi boats transport visitors from one shore to the other. The promenade of Poros is full of life every moment of the day and its busy marina runs almost its entire length.
The entire pier is lined with yachts in several rows. Yachts under completely different flags. There are Germans, French, Danes, Norwegians, Ukrainians and whoever else! Along the edge of the bay there is a central road, from which narrow streets branch off into the depths of the island. Along the main road there are 2-storey houses-hotels and shops. The theme of the shops is approximately as follows: food (wines, cheeses, olive oil), diving equipment (fishing rods, masks, fins, strap cutters), and souvenir shops.
It seems that the city's residents lead an overly calm lifestyle: they are almost invisible. Although the shops are open, and souvenirs are offered very unobtrusively. There are many cafes and restaurants in Poros, all of them are located by the sea: there are always free seats.
Citizens get around the island on bicycles and mopeds. The houses are 1–2 storeys high, with wooden shutters. It looks old, but well-kept. Wild lemons, pomegranates and cacti grow everywhere. There are a lot of cacti with such fleshy leaves and sweet fruits, which are covered with microscopic hair-thorns that dig into the skin, causing wild itching and discomfort.
The lighthouse, another important cultural element of Poros, dominates the entrance to the island's bay. Its height is 9 meters.
In the summer, the contingent on the island, as it seemed to us, is 35 and older. There are almost no young people. Apparently, the island is so small that there are no universities there except for the naval academy, and all the young people have left.
I absolutely love the small Greek islands that you can get around on foot. Such places get you there where nothing prevents you from enjoying nature. Coniferous forest around. The sea is two steps away, very clean and clear.
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