For the tourist to Greece who has only a limited amount of time to go to a Greek island, Hydra is close enough to Athens to be visited in a day. About 40 miles from Athens, it is serviced by fast hydrofoils called Flying Dolphins. They make the trip to Hydra in just over an hour. The short travelling time allows the visitor plenty of time to explore this island in the Saronic Gulf.
Hydra - an Island With a Rich Maritime History
The island of Hydra lies off the coast of the Peloponnese peninsula. Once populated by seafarers and merchants, Hydra built a rich economy during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries through trade. Its fleet of fast sailing ships, armed with cannons to deter pirates, plied the waters of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Their trade took them as far as the Black Sea,bringing back wheat from Odessa, and to Africa's northern coastal waters for sea sponges .
A unique system of profit sharing between the shipowners, the crews and the captains meant fortunes were made. During the Napoleonic Wars of 1805-1815, Hydriot sailors broke through blockades and transported goods round the Mediterranean. Charging exorbitant amounts and paid for their services in gold, many wealthy men built their mansions on the rocky hillsides around Hydra's harbour. Although austere looking from the outside, the houses were decorated and furnished inside with the latest goods from Venice and Rome.
During the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in the 1820's, Hydra participated in the revolution. Its merchant ships joined with the Greek fleet to harass the Turks and reclaim dominion over the Saronic Gulf.
In 1813 it was estimated that there were about 20,000 people on the island, half of them making a living from the sea. Today the population stands at about 3,000. Fishing and tourism are major factors in the economy of Hydra.
Hydra - an Island with a Cultural History
Many artists and writers have made Hydra their home over the years. Others have stayed on the island in an old mansion, sponsored by the Athens School of Fine Arts. A thriving community of artists regularly holds exhibitions during the summer months that can be seen by tourists to the island.
Hydra has also been the setting for several movies. The most famous is 'The Boy and the Dolphin' starring Sophia Loren which was filmed here in 1957. A statue was erected in 2006 to commemorate this.
European royalty, movie stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Henry Fonda, shipping magnates such as Aristotle Onassis, and musicians such as Leonard Cohen all visited Hydra for summer vacations. They brought glamour and money to the island, and made Hydra known around the world.
Hydra Today
The tourist will arrive at the port of Hydra town. The flat land around the little harbour is lined with shops, tavernas and restaurants. From there, steep steps lead up the rocky hillsides between the mansions of the merchants and ships captains. In the middle of the town is the monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin. The cathedral there can be visited.
When wandering around the twisting, narrow back streets of the town, the tourist will become aware of just how quiet it is. This is because no cars or scooters are allowed on the island. Transport is by donkey, bicycle or on foot. For about 10 euros, a tourist can go on a 10 minute donkey ride around the port.
The port area really comes to life when the fishing boats dock. Not only people line the quay to buy fresh fish straight from the fishermen. Many cats sit patiently beside the water, waiting for morsels to be thrown to them.
A coastal walk leads round the side of the quay, to the plaza with its pine trees where cannons, once used to protect the entrance to Hydra's harbour, are placed. Near here are the spots for swimming and sunbathing that the international jet-setters favoured during their summer vacations.
Hydra is an interesting island to visit. Because it is so easy to get to, it makes an ideal day trip away from the noise, bustle and smog of Athens. Like most Greek islands, it will be crowded during the summer months by tourists and Athenians alike, many of whom have holiday homes on the island. But outside of the peak season, it is a quiet retreat that can be enjoyed and appreciated over a few hours.
Wendy Craig - Wendy is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, anthologies and travel books in New Zealand and U.K.
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