Skopelos History

Starting at the prehistoric era, the history of Skopelos has left an indelible mark on the island’s monuments, placenames and cultural identity.

Ancient times

According to the myth, it was first settled by Staphylus, son of Ariadne and the god Dionysus, and was known as Peparethus, after the name of Staphylus’ brother. As Ariadne was the daughter of the legendary Cretan King Minos, this myth corroborates historical evidence suggesting that Skopelos was originally settled by the Minoans and was in contact not only with mainland Greece but also with the Cyclades, the northern part of the Aegean Sea and the coasts of Asia Minor. Archaeological research has revealed traces of Mycenaean settlements, while near Staphilos Beach lies the so-called Tomb of King Staphylus, which has yielded a magnificent golden-hilted sword considered to be one of the finest specimens of Minoan and Mycenean art.

Though historical records of Ancient Peparethus are scant, it seems to have flourished during the 6th and the early 5th centuries BC, minting its own coins and exporting top-quality wine and olive oil. The city-state also prided itself on its Olympic athletes, and Agnontas Bay has, in fact, been named after one of them. However, around 427 BC, a tremendous earthquake caused a huge tidal bore that destroyed many of the island’s public buildings. Later on, in the Hellenistic era, Peparethus was often a site of contest between the Macedonians and the Romans, until they later conquered Skopelos, along with the rest of Greece, in 146 BC. It was during the Roman times that the island’s name was changed to Skopelos, probably in reference to the many reefs that surround it.

Byzantine period

Christianity appeared in Skopelos in the 4th century AD and spread very fast, introduced by the bishop Reginos, the island’s patron saint. In the centuries that followed, Skopelos formed part of the Byzantine Empire, having lost, however, its former significance, as it was probably used as a place of exile. After the Fourth Crusade, it was occupied by the Venetians and the noble House of Ghisi, who ruled the island till 1276. After an interval of Byzantine dominion, it passed once more into Venetian hands till 1538, when the Turkish admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa raided Skopelos, initiating the long period of Ottoman rule.

Recent years

Commercial and ship-building activity flourished again, so the island’s contribution to the 1821 Greek War of Independence was significant. Eventually, in 1830, Skopelos, along with the rest of the Northern Sporades, formed part of the newly-founded Greek State, constituting its northernmost borders. Over the next decades, many Skopelitans were forced to emigrate as a result of the island’s poor financial condition, while after the 1980s, tourist development gave a new boost to the local economy.

Today, thanks to its rich history, Skopelos boasts remarkable historical monuments, such as its Venetian Castle, as well as a number of churches and monasteries with ornately carved altarpieces. Folk art, including ceramics and wood carving, also continues to thrive.