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Poros

 

HISTORY

A volcanic island, Poros, was formed through the unification of two smaller islands, Kalouria and Sphaeria. It lies in close proximity to the Argolid, separated from the Peloponnese by an extremely narrow channel. Archaeology buffs will want to visit the scant remains of the Sanctuary of Poseidon, 5 km. from the town of Poros on the road to the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi. The sanctuary in situated, like so many ancient temples, amidst the most beautiful setting on the island. It dates back to the 6th century B.C. and was the center of the Kalaurian League, a maritime confederation formed by Ermioni, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Aegina, Athens and Orchomenos. It was here that Demosthenes is said to have drunk poison after having been cornered by his enemies in 322 B.C.

Built up the sides of a small hill, the town of Poros has the blue woodwork and white walls so typical of Greek island architecture.

Poros, called Calaureia in ancient times, was the island of Poseidon, God of the sea. This is evident from various literary references and from the traces of the temple of Poseidon, which are to be found in the middle of the island. This fact may account for why Poros was chosen to be the headquarters of an amphictyony (alliance) set up in the 7th. century B.C. whose members were seven cities. Subsequently, the fortunes of Poros followed those of the other islands of the Saronic Gulf. In the War of Independence against the Turks in 1821, Poros fought alongside the other islands, and in 1830 became Greece's first naval base.

The ancient ruins of the Temple of Poseidon are to found 5 km from the main town, on the road to the monastery of Zoodochos Pighis. The temple was built in the 6th. century B.C.

The history of the Monastery reaches back to the beginning of the 18th century, when a bishop from Athens, Iakovos II, was cured by drinking water from a spring at Poros.


 

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