Hydra, Saronic Islands
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| Hydra Ύδρα |
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 Island of Hydra |
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates: | 37°21′N 23°28′E / 37.35°N 23.467°ECoordinates: 37°21′N 23°28′E / 37.35°N 23.467°E |
| Island Chain: | Saronic Islands |
| Area:[1] | 64.443 km² (25 sq.mi.) |
| Highest Mountain: | Mt. Eros (590 m (1,936 ft)) |
| Government | |
 Greece |
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| Periphery: | Attica |
| Prefecture: | Piraeus |
| Capital: | Hydra (town) |
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 2,719 (as of 2001) |
| Density: | 42 /km² (109 /sq.mi.) |
| Postal Code: | 180 40 |
| Area Code: | 22980 |
| License Code: | Z |
| Website | |
| www.hydra.gr | |
Hydra (Greek: Ύδρα, pronounced [ˈiðra], Arvanitika: Nιδρα, Nidhra[2]) is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. It is separated from the Peloponnese by the narrow Hydra Gulf. Hydra is also a municipality and one of the few provinces in Greece to have two municipalities—which includes the island of Dokos (pop. 13)—yet fewer than five communes. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea (Υδρέα, derived from the Greek word for "water"), which was a reference to the springs on the island.
An island dependent upon tourism, Athenians comprise a sizeable segment of Hydra's visitors. Hydra is served by high speed hydrofoils and catamarans from Piraeus plus daily island tour boats. Other than garbage trucks, motor vehicles are not permitted on the island, which leaves the bulk of public transportation up to horses, donkeys and water taxis. The inhabited area, however, is so compact that most people walk everywhere.
There is one main town, known simply as "Hydra port" (pop. 2,526 in 2001). It consists of a crescent-shaped harbor, around which is centered a strand of commercial establishments (restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries), all of which cater to tourists and locals (Hydriots). Steep stone streets lead up and outwards from the harbor area. Most of the local residences, as well as the hostelries on the island are located on these streets. Other small villages or hamlets on the island include Mandraki (pop. 33), Kamini, Vlychos (28), Palomitha (18), Episkopi (23), and Molos (2). As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the island's population were Arvanites[2]
Although the island's name is derived from ancient springs, it is now almost dry. While Hydra previously had wells, these were drained by seismic activity around the mid-20th century. Today, the island imports its water by boat from the Greek mainland. The dominant geographic feature of Hydra is its rocky hillsides, which are bare, save for the occasional farmhouse and six Orthodox monasteries. Two particularly noteworthy ones are Profitis Ilias, founded in the 19th Century, and Ayia Efpraxia. BOth are on hills overlooking the harbor.
Hydra's harbor, market, and buildings were perhaps an architectural influence for resort developer Charles Fraser to create Harbour Town, the well known village at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.
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[edit] Captains' mansions
The Tsamadou mansion on the left-hand side of the harbor as one enters is now a school.
The Tombazi mansion is now part of the School of Fine Arts.
The mansions of Lazarus, George Koundouriotis, Boudouri, Kriezi, Voulgari, and Miaouli all contain museums of 18th Century island furniture.
[edit] The Cathedral
The island's Cathedral is the old Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin and sits quayside in the town. The Monastery contains the tomb of Lazarus Koundouriotis, the richest sea captain on Hydra, who gave his entire fortune to support the Greek War of Independence.
[edit] History
During the [{Greek Revolution]], the fleets of Hydra and the other two naval islands of Psara and Spetses were able to wrest control of the Eastern Aegean Sea from the Ottoman Empire. The mansions of the sea captains that ring the harbor are a testament to the prosperity that shipping brought to the island which, at the date of the Revolution, had 16,000 inhabitants.
[edit] Books about or set on Hydra
- Clouds over Hydra, Charles Young (1996)
- The Colossus of Maroussi, Henry Miller (1941)
- Fugitive Pieces, Anne Michaels (1996)
- Hydra and the Bananas of Leonard Cohen, Roger Green (2003)
- Lighthousekeeping, Jeannette Winterson (2006)
- Rhubarbs from a Rock, David Fagan (2003)
- The Riders, Tim Winton (1996)
- Rien ne va plus (The Sleepwalker), Margarita Karapanou (1994)
[edit] Movies filmed on Hydra
- The Blue Villa (Un Bruit Qui Rend Fou) (1995)
- Boat Trip (2002)
- Boy on a Dolphin (1957)
- Fugitive Pieces (2007)
- Incense for the Damned (1970)
- Girl in Black (Greece 1956)
- Out of the Shadows (1988)
- Phaedra (1962)
[edit] Theater on Hydra
Hydrama Theater and Arts Center hosts performances, drama and dance workshops for the local community and courses in ancient Greek theater for international participants.
[edit] Rebetiko Conference
The island hosts an annual conference on Rebetiko, which is held in mid-October.
[edit] Historical population
| Year | Town population | Change | Municipal/Island population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 2,732 | - | - | - |
| 1991 | 2,279 | -453/-16.58% | 2,387 | 37.0/km² |
| 2001 | 2,526 | +247/+10.84% | 2,719 | 42.2/km² |
There are no municipal boundaries on the island and its smaller islands.
[edit] Notable people
- Andreas Miaoulis (1768-1835) admiral and politician
- Laskarina Bouboulina (1771-1825) heroine of the Greek War of Independence
- Iakovos Tombazis (1782-1829) merchant, ship-owner and admiral
- Georgios Kountouriotis (1789-1858) politician, Prime Minister of Greece
- Antonios Kriezis (1796-1865) revolutionary fighter, Prime Minister of Greece
- Dimitrios Voulgaris (1802-1878) revolutionary fighter, Prime Minister of Greece
- Athanasios Miaoulis (1815-1867) Prime Minister of Greece
- Nikolaos Vokos (1854-1902) painter
- Pavlos Kountouriotis (1855-1935) naval hero, admiral and President of Greece
- Nikolaos Votsis (1877-1931) naval hero and admiral
- Dorotheus (1888-1957) Archbishop of Athens and All Greece
- Nikos Nikolaou (1909-1986) artist
- Panayiotis Tetsis (1925) painter
- Leonard Cohen (1934) Canadian poet and song-writer
- Michalis Maniatis (1952) film and tv actor, producer, screen and book writer
- Rallou Manou, choreographer
[edit] References
- ^ "Basic Characteristics". Ministry of the Interior. www.ypes.gr. http://www.ypes.gr/topiki.htm. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
- ^ a b Jochalas, Titos P. (1971): Über die Einwanderung der Albaner in Griechenland: Eine zusammenfassene Betrachtung ["On the immigration of Albanians to Greece: A summary"]. München: Trofenik.
[edit] External links
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