In
the Aegean Sea, 48 nautical miles northwest of Chios, there is an island cluster
that encompasses seven islets, the largest of which is called Psara. The smaller
islands include Antipsara, uninhabited today, Kato Nisi, Aye Nikolaki, Daskalio,
Prasonisi and Nisopoula. Altogether, they make a suitable place to enjoy peace,
tranquility, rest and relaxation, since there are even no cars, and the villagers
are extremely kind to visitors.
Psara has a rocky
terrain filled with hills and mountains, the highest of which is Prophitis
Ilias, of 640 meters of height. In its 39 square kilometers area, there is
only a small village and its harbor, and due to the rocky terrain, most of
its 500 inhabitants work with maritime activities. The tourist industry, by
the way, is not so developed.
During the Middle
Age the island was uninhabited. Some Greek families from Thessaly and other
islands had settled down in Psara during the 15th and 16th centuries to avoid
the Turkish raids. Later, Psara became the third force in the commercial navy,
after Hydra and Spetses islands.
During the revolution
of 1821 against the Turkish Empire, the people of Psara participated with
their fleet and destroyed, by burning, many Turkish naval units under the
command of brave captains such as Papanikolis, Kanaris and Pipinos.
Psara suffered the revenge and rage of the Turks who destroyed completely
the island, slaughtering or capturing the whole population, despite their
heroic resistance, on the 24 June 1824.
The few inhabitants
who managed to escape in some ships found shelter in Monemvassia (Peloponese)
and, after the liberation of Greece, they came to Eretria (Evoia) where they
built the "New Psara". Many of its inhabitants returned later to Psara to
live permanently up to now.
In the first 100
years after the liberation of Greece, Psara had the privilege to have two
members of Parliament in acknowledgement of its offer to the ideal of freedom
and democracy. Since 1946, this privilege does not exist any more; however,
to honor Psara, the town is a Municipality despite its size.
Some of the most
interesting things that can be visited in these islands are the Archaeological
Museum, the church of Aghios Nikolaos (from where Constantine Kanaris started
his attack on the Turkish flagship) and the views from it, and
the monastery of the assumption of the Virgin Mary and its rare library. Of
course, the Greek cuisine should also here be in any proper schedule, specially
the great typical lobster, honey or local cheese.
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