These Scattered Isles: Alonnisos and the Lesser Northern Sporades
Publication date: 1 October 2010
A welcome history of the remote islands of the Sporades
The Sporades Islands off the coast of Greece are a line of islands stretching out into North Aegean. The two islands nearest the mainland, Skiathos and Skopelos, are generally well known to tourists and were the background to the popular film "Mama Mia".
However the islands further out are not so well known (only one of them, Alonnisos, being served by ferry) and retain the feel and charm of an older era. This area is well known to flotilla and other yacht sailors for whom it provides a quieter cruising area than the Ionian, the busier counterpart on the Greek west coast.
Beyond Alonnisos there is Peristera with its sheltered bays, uninhabited Pelagos with its two magnificent anchorages, one an inland lake, mountainous Gioura, remote Skantzoura, far out in the Aegean and many others.
As with so much of Greece, the area has an intensive history from Myceanean and then Classical times down through the ages till the most recent era. However there have been no books written about it in recent decades until a local man, Kostas Mavrikis wrote "These Scattered Isles". He is well qualified to write this book as he has lived in the area all his life. From his father he has inherited a great interest in the history of the area described in the book and he also runs a museum in the main town in the island. Apart from researching ancient history he has interviewed many of the local people of his own and previous generations to determine the course of events during the last century. The author’s aim is to preserve some record before his generation passes away.
The author has written in a very personal style with considerable charm The result is a surprisingly readable book which I found of great interest and provided a background to our travels among these islands. It has been capably translated into English by university lecturer Anthony Hirst.
A warm and informative account
If sailing in these waters, on a boat or in the imagination in an armchair at home - absolutely great. A warm and informative account.
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