HYDRA & DOKOS
Population: 1,966 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Hydra is one of the Saronic islands in the Aegean Sea. Hydra has rocky hillsides and pine-forested valleys scattered with the occasional farmhouse and many types of wildflowers, Cypress and olive trees. Hydra benefits from numerous bays and natural harbours and has a strong maritime culture. The island is a popular yachting destination and home of the Kamini Yacht Club.
There is one main town, known simply as “Hydra port” It consists of a crescent-shaped harbour, around which restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries, cater to tourists and locals (Hydriots). Due to its location, many Greeks and artists make their home here and commute to Athens. It is considered one of the most cosmopolitan islands, yet it is wonderfully tranquil as cars are not allowed on the island. People get around the island on foot, by bicycle, by donkey, horse or mules.
Although the island’s name is derived from ancient springs, they are now almost dry. Today, the island imports its water by boat from the Greek mainland. A new desalinization plant has been finished but is not in operation. Many local people store winter rainfall in cisterns beneath their houses to use later as drinking water. Many monasteries on the island are open to visitors, but remember to dress appropriately (long skirts for women, trousers for men). Molos, Palamida and Kaminia have the nicer beaches (most on Hydra are pebble beaches). Although most things can be found when shopping on Hydra it is known for gold and precious stones. The celebrations on the islands usually revolve around the Saints, and there is a big celebration at Easter in the Orthodox Church.
High-speed hydrofoils and catamarans from Piraeus, some 37 nautical miles (69 km) away, serve Hydra, stopping first at Poros before Spetses. A passenger ferry service operates between Hydra Harbour and Metochi on the Peloponnese coast. Many Athenians drive to Metochi, leave their car in the secure car park, and take the 20-minute passenger ferry across to Hydra.
Adjacent to Hydra is the small rocky island of Dokos with 18 inhabitants, consisting of Orthodox Monks and Sheepherders.
The Island & Its History
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Hydra has been populated since prehistoric times and is thought to have been home to the terrible monster, Hydra, whom Heracles killed in mythological times. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea (῾Υδρέα, derived from the Greek word for “water”), a reference to the natural springs on the island.
The oldest settlement to have been found on Hydra is Mycenaean. At a later period, Hydra was seized by Hermione, which subsequently sold it to Samos.
In the 1500’s, refugees started to flee to Hydra to escape Turkish occupation. Due to the barren grounds, they turned to the sea for their incomes, making them master sailors. When the uprising against the Turks broke out in 1821, Hydra had a population of 30,000 (most of whom had sought refuge on the island) and 150 vessels, constituting two-thirds of the Greek fleet. The island’s wealthy sea captains-the Kountouriotis brothers were asked to convert their fleet for war, and contributed significantly to the War of Independence against the Turks.
Between 1941 and 1943, during the Axis occupation of Greece during World War II, there was famine on Hydra. It is estimated that some eight per cent of the population died of starvation.
During the 2007 European heatwave, a fire destroyed much of the pine forest to the east of Hydra Port. However, it left untouched some forest above Kamini and at the west end of Hydra.
Prayer Points
- The people on the island will realize their need for God and their eyes will be opened to the truth and love of God through reading the Bible for themselves.
- The Lord will work in the lives of all the God-fearing religious people already living on this island, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
ADOPT THIS ISLAND
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