|
 The
island of Evia is the second largest island in
Greece after Crete. A main highway and
ferryboats from several terminals connect this
island of great natural beauty and variety to
the mainland. Evia is brisk with tourist
traffic; however, there are still many tranquil
and unspoilt villages for peace-seekers. The
island has vast fertile valleys, sandy beaches,
organised bathing facilities, secluded coves and
wooded mountain slopes ideal for climbing.
By road, Halkida, the
island's capital, is accessible from a fork on
the Athens-Lamia highway. A draw bridge carries
traffic across the narrow Evripos Straits with
their tidal current that Aristotle tried so hard
to explain in ancient times. The name
Halkida is said to originate either from the
copper that its inhabitants processed in older
times or from the word "Halki", a type of shell
used for dying red fabrics in antiquity.
 The archaeological museum
in town contains notable exhibits such as the
headless statue of goddess Athena, the relief of
Dionysus and the abduction of Antiope by
Thesseus. The Byzantine basilica of Aghia
Paraskevi located within the compound of the
mediaeval fortress contains coats of arms and
inscriptions of the 14th century. The modern
town has several hotels and fish tavernas.
Halkida is an ideal starting point for exploring
the entire island.
 Southward, the
road leads to Eretria, which in ancient times was the second most
important city on the island after Halkida.
The ancient baths, the remains of the Temple of Dafniforos Apollo, the
Palestra with its fine mosaic and the ancient theatre
present special interest. The road from Halkida to Eretria passes by the
splendid Malakonta beach with its ample tourist
facilities. Continuing south along the coastal road, on the shores of the
Gulf of Evia, one comes upon the township of
Amarinthos with a beautiful beach, tranquil surroundings and plenty of
tavernas serving delicious fish dinners. Nearby are
the Byzantine churches of Metamorfossis and Kimissis Theotokou.
 In the south, and upon a fork lies Lepoura, which leads to Karystos,
a town with very ancient history, said to have been
built by the Dryopes. The area is thick with pinewoods and fossils of
prehistoric animals have been found there.
Setting out north from Halkida into the mountainous heart of the
island of Evia, the road leads to Steni Dirfios which is
situated amidst plane trees with tumbling streams, fir trees, pine trees and
thick shrub that clings on the slopes of Mt.
Dirfys. Both settlements on this village maintain their strict traditional
character. This is the starting point for the
climb to the alpine rest hut. |
