What to see in Skopelos

In the north, the exquisite little town of Skopelos, the small houses close together as in a tight embrace, surrounding the castle and spreading down to the port, nowadays the barbarians don't threaten the island any more.
Between the houses, innumerable little churches which the Skopelitans care for with special respect, continuing to strictly preserve their religious traditions.
Narrow cobblestone streets leading uphill, interrupted every now and then by landings of stairs, and steps enclose the neighborhoods, immense bouganvillia embrace balconies and freshly whitewashed walls which enclose small yards.
During recent years the strictly dark brown doors and windows of the past have given way to other more lively colors.
Though the shades of brown from light beige to dark chocolate continue to predominate traditionally, the Skopelitans dare now to decorate their doors and window frames with green, light and dark blue and emerald colors, even red inflames a door here and a balcony there.
Sunrise as you can see it from the Castle
You should wander around the small alleys From the "Little well", you can climb up towards the castle and from there you can walk down to the harbor, stopping every now and then to admire the breath taking view. Should you get lost in one of the countless streets, simply follow them downhill until you reach the port.
The walk from the church "Panagitsa tou Purgou" at the end of the harbor up to the castle is inspiring. It seems to be a journey into the past. Wonderful churches, picturesque alleys, steep rocks with the Aegean Sea stretching out and imposing itself on you.
Such is the beauty of the town, and the breathtaking colors, it will win you heart and admiration at first sight.When you come to Skopelos you will find our enthusiasm justified.

Glossa
The village of Glossa is located at the northwest side of the island. It is the biggest village in Skopelos, the “highest village” as it was characterized by A. Papadiamantis in his novel “The Nostalgic”. The settlement is built in a height of 250m and it’s fairly named the balcony of Sporades as one can see the endless blue of the sea and the mountains of Skiathos and Evia.

Klima
Klima is one of the colorful villages of the island of Skopelos. Today little has changed in spite of all the interfering into its traditional character. It is situated near Glossa, that means on the southwest side of the island that looks towards Skiathos and Evia.
Until the begining of the decade of 1950's the village was divided into two neighborhoods - earlier called "Machalades" - upper Klima and lower Klima. Lower Klima as the inhabitants say is the older one.
It was founded, according to sources from the 18th century, by inhabitants of Glossa who set up something like a small farmer settlement, in the style of Ananias and Kalogeros, which until today exist on the island.
The village church "Ag. Anarguri" was built in 1828. A little chapel may have existed there even earlier.
The lower village has a square at the place "Tsitsiraflos", very impressive - you could see from there Glossa, Loutraki, Pelion, Skiathos - where a big tree stood very imposing, and known to everybody - Tsitsiraflos -. In the dry riverbed that separated the two settlements, until recently some old olive presses could be found, "Kalliagres" as the locals call them. The earthquakes of 1950 were the reason that the village started to lose its luster and beauty.
The inhabitants moved either to the upper village, either to Loutraki and very few only stayed on until 1965 when the other earthquake, that destroyed the upper village, drove them away forever.

Elios
Exactly underneath the forest of Vathia at Mountain Delphi (688m) and next to the sea the village Elios is situated. At a distance of 18 km from Skopelos, this new settlement was built in 1981, after the destruction of Klima by the earthquakes of 1965.
Grown over with pine trees, magical this region of Skopelos where Elios was erected, with the beautiful beach of Hovolo and the gorgeous shades of its waters very close to the village.
The beach stretches along the whole length of the village, partly with small pebbles, partly with bigger ones, with stones or sand; standing out though is amazing Hovolo beach.

Churches of Skopelos
In Skopelos there are 360 churches, the following of which are worth seeing:

• The monastery of Evaggelistrias (1712), on a slope of mount Palouki, 3.5 km E.
• The monastery of Metamorfosis tou Sotira or Transfiguration of Jesus (end of 15th – beginning of 16th century), also on mount Palouki.
• The monastery of Aghia Moni (16th century), 6.5 km W.
• The monasteries of Aghia Varvara (1648) and Timios Prodromos (1612).

The nunnery of St. John the Baptist (Prodromos)
The monastery is only 300 meters from St. Barbara. The beloved monastery of all the locals and the benevolent nuns who still take care of the monastery. In 1721 the holy monk Filaretou rebuilt it on top of the old foundation, as the inscription at the entrance tells us.
The church of the monastery of Prodromos is of the same type as the church of Metamorphosis (cross shaped with four pillars), the only difference is the existence of two choirs on the sides, following the style of Mt. Athos. There is a gilded altar screen of woodcarvings with rich decorations of vine leaves, birds, animals and 15 illustrations of the main orthodox celebrations.
Also of importance are the icons of the monastery, which date back to the 16th, 17th and 18th century A.D. In the monastery's dining room is a wall painting relating to the founding of the monastery. In the conch is an illustrated prayer and on each side St. Haralampos and Filaretos the holy monk and founder.