Agios Efstratios, island of the banned

Inhabitants:270

Agios Efstratios is situated about 30 kilometers south of Limnos and claims to be very authentical until today. Visitors should not let themselves be irritated by the omnipresence of the military forces on the island but rather enjoy Greece at its best and prices of the past.

Suitable for:

Size:

Agios Afstratios covers about 43 square kilometers. Its lenght is about 11 Kilometers and the widest point about 6 kilometers.

Nature:

There are some rare plants growing on the islands. Even some oaks can be seen in the northern part ot it. There has been some vine cultivation in the past but was abanoned in 1968 after an earth quake had changed the ground below the island in a way which prevented the roots of the vine to gain water.

The Island has been claimed as SPA (special protected area) by the EU program of Natura 2000 because there are some rare birds like the Puffinus puffinus, the phalacrocora aristotelis and the falco elenorae.

The highest point lies 303 meters above sea level.

History:

There are different evidences that the island has been inhabitent already about 3000 befor crist. A erarthquake destroyed at the 20. of february 1968 most houses on the island. One rare excemption is the Agios Vasilios.

But there is another thing which made the island become famous. Between 1928 and 1963 Agios Efstratios was used by the government as a open prison for oppositonal poets, writers, musicans and actors. Belong them such as Giannis Ritsos, Tassos Livaditis, Kostas Varnalis or Nikos Karpuzos. Among the musicans and actors where: Manos Katrakis and Mikis Theodorakis.

Places to stay:

There are not many places to stay here but travelers will always find a room for the night.

One place is Xenonas, Phone: (22540) 93329, Fax: (22540) 93372

Places to eat:

There is one taverna and a cafe down at the harbour. You will also find a small fast food place beside a bakery where you get some coffee.

Ferries:

The small ferry boatAiolis runs most of the time six times a week between Agios Efstratios and Limnos.

Two times a week the Nisso Limnos runs from Limnos too.

Long 39° 31′ N , Lat 25° 0′ O

Text: © inselhuepfen.ch