During the middle ages skiathos was constantly bombarded by pirate attacks. In 1207 the Gyzi brothers captured the island and buit the Bourtzi, a small venetian-styled fortress similar to the Bourtzi in Nafplio,in order to protect the capital from the pirates.
But the Bourtzi was not effective in defending the population and in the middle 14th century the inhabitants moved the capital from the ancient site to Kastro ( castle), located on a high rock,overlooking a steep cliff to the sea at the northernmost part of the island.Kastro remained the only completion of the island until the end of the greek war of independence,when the island's capital was relocated to the original site were it can be found until today.
Later in 1704 monks from Athos built the Evangelistria monastery which played a part on the greek war of independence as a hiding place for Greek rebels. The 19th century Skiathos became an significant shipbuilding centre in the Aegean due to the profusion of pine forests on the island.In 1964 Skiathos was designated by the Greek National Tourism Organisation as a development region for tourism.
These include the construction of the coast road from Skiathos town to Koukounaries, the construction of Skiathos airport in 1984 and the construction of the first large hotel over Koukounaries beach.Down the coast road a variety of hotels have been constructed since the island became an important tourist destination giving the island its today’s appearance. |
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