Hydra, Saronic Islands

Hydra, Saronic Islands

Infobox Greek Isles
name = Hydra
native_name = Ύδρα
skyline = Ydra.jpg
sky_caption = Island of Hydra


coordinates = coord|37|21|N|23|28|E|display=inline,title|region:GR_type:isle
chain = Saronic Islands
isles =
area = 64.443
highest_mount = Mt. Eros
elevation = 590
periph = Attica
prefect = Piraeus
capital = Hydra (town)
population = 2719
pop_as_of = 2001
postal = 180 40
telephone = 22980
license = Z
website = [http://www.hydra.gr www.hydra.gr]

Hydra ( _el. Ύδρα, pronounced|ˈiðra) 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. 43)---yet fewer than five communes. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea (Υδρέα), 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. Besides 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).

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's water is imported 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.

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.

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)

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)

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.

Rebetiko Conference

The island hosts an annual conference on Rebetiko, which is held in mid-October.

Historical population

There are no municipal boundaries on the island and its smaller islands.

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, President of Greece
*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

External links

* [http://www.hydra.com.gr English version of the official website]
*wikitravel|Hydra


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