Poros
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Poros (Πόρος) |
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| Coordinates | 37°31′ N 23°29′ E | |
| Country | Greece | |
| Periphery | Attica | |
| Prefecture | Piraeus | |
| Population | 4,348 source (2001) | |
| Area | 49.58 km² | |
| Population density | 88 /km² | |
| Elevation | 22 m | |
| Postal code | 180 20 | |
| Area code | 22980 | |
Poros (Greek: Πόρος) is a small Greek island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, at a distance about 48 km (32 miles) south from Piraeus and separated from the Peloponnese by a 200-metre wide sea channel. Its surface is about 31 square kilometres (12 square miles) and it has 4,000 inhabitants. The ancient name of Poros was Pogon.
Poros consists of two islands: Sphairia, the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where today's city is located, and Kalaureia, also Calauria (meaning 'gentle breeze'), the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over a narrow isthmus.
Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate touristic infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short holidays, as it is easily accessible from Athens.
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[edit] Geography and Geology
The landscape is very hilly and mountainous. The highest peak is the Vigla (358 m) in the west-central part. Following the island's topography and geology, small creeks and seasonal streams flow through steep valleys of the southern and northeastern part. The western and northern part of the island feature smooth hills and shallow valleys. Sandy beaches are restricted to the southern shore of the island, except for a bay in the northern part called Vayionia.
The geology of the island comprises Mesozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (limestone, and Flysch-type sandstone) and ophiolites, as well as Neogene volcanic rocks on Sferia. The island is tectonically dissected and part of a Tertiary tectonic mélange. There are karstic sinkholes in the island's central limestone massif, and limestone caves with stalactites. Visible marine fossils are mainly found in the limestone, no occurrences of precious stones or ore deposits are known.
[edit] History
Recent studies suggest that Poros has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Graves on the island have been dated to the Mycenaean period, and manmade structures have existed on it since at least 1000 BCE.
The ancient polis of Kalaureia was home to an asylum dedicated to Poseidon, the ruins of which are still accessible on a hilltop close to the town. This asylum may have been linked to the sanctuaries at Geraistos and Tainaros.
Ancient historians claimed that Poros was home to an Amphictyony in the Archaic period, a league of the poleis Poros, Athens, Prassiai, Aegina, Epidaurus, Hermione, Troizene, Nauplion and Orchomenos. However, there is no evidence for this, and modern scholars believe the Amphictyony may have been a Hellenistic invention. An enormous feast was found dating to the Hellenistic period in the ruins of the Kalaureia asylum, along with a plaque celebrating the "revival" of the Kalaureian League.
In Byzantine times, Poros and other islands were often raided by pirates.
During the Ottoman occupation Poros remained independent, and helped neighbouring islands after the breakout of the Greek War of Independence.
[edit] Interesting places
The picturesque town of Poros with its beautiful neoclassical buildings is built amphitheatrically on the slopes of a hill. Its most famous landmark is a clock tower, built in 1927.
The Archaeological Museum at Korizis Square houses findings from the Sanctuary of Poseidon, from ancient Troizene, and from other archaeological sites nearby.
In the northern part of the island there are the remains of the Sanctuary of Poseidon, the centre of the Kalaureian amphictyony. The exact date it was built is not known, although researchers estimate it to have been around 520 BC. The dimensions of the temple, which is of the Doric order, are 27.4×14.4 m. There are six columns on each short side and twelve on each long side. It was here that Demosthenes, the famous orator, poisoned himself with hemlock in 322 BC fleeing from the Macedonian Governor Antipatros.
A prestigious Hellenic naval academy is situated on Poros, which also was the site of the first naval shipyard in modern Greece, established during the Greek war of independence from the Ottoman empire, in 1827.
[edit] Historical population
| Year | Communal population | Change | Municipal and Island population | Density |
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| 1981 | 3,929 | - | - | - |
| 1991 | 3,273 | -656/-16.7% | 3,570 | 115.16/km² |
[edit] External links
- Coordinates:
- Poros Island official website
- Kalaureia Archaeological Excavations
- A travel guide to Poros island
- Virtual Tour and Information on Poros
- Poros Photo Album
- Poros Online Community
- Tourist and Holiday Information on Poros Island: A Greek Island Destination
There are no boundaries in Poros but the nearest municipality is Troizina.
[edit] See also
- List of municipalities of Attica, including the Saronic
| Municipalities and communities of the Piraeus Prefecture |
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| Aegina • Agios Ioannis Rentis • Ampelakia • Drapetsona • Hydra • Keratsini • Korydallos • Kythira • Methana • Nikaia • Perama • Piraeus • Poros • Salamis • Spetses • Troizina |
| Agkistri • Antikythera |
