The islets of Itea
SMALLS GEMS
This is a little love post about one of my most vivid childhood memories: looking out the window of my father's car when we visited Galaxidi once or twice a week, and always wondering what the story was behind those tiny pieces of land rising out of the water.
The sacred soil in which I grew up includes not only my beloved Delphi, but also many other hidden gems of beauty.
Some of them are the islets of the Gulf of Itea.
SAINTS’ LAND
Almost all of them were used as shelters during the "dark" early Byzantine times and are mentioned by almost all the travellers who passed by boat through the area.
They are seven small areas of land that are just above the surface of the water. Each has its own beauty, but today I want to tell you some things about the islets of Agios Konstantinos and Agios Athanasios.
“Hestían tíma (Honour the hearth)”
Agios Konstantinos (38.41812806412387, 22.4178007829811) and Agios Athanasios (38.419724985921334, 22.422155017013978) are located to the south and opposite the port of Itea. On the seabed, between these two islets, the remains of a stone bridge more than 200 metres long can be seen, which is believed to be a medieval construction. The bridge was built with stones weighing 20-60 kg and was about 4 metres wide. It connected the two islets and was probably demolished due to an earthquake (a fairly common phenomenon in the area). It is said by some locals that it was a way of defence against sea invaders.
Agios Athanasios (or "Stafida", because of its shape) is the closest island to Itea. Overgrown with olive trees and pine trees, it is almost round in shape and there is one sandy beach on one side.
As you can see, both islets are surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Itea.
CONTRAST
Agios Konstantinos, although less than 200m away, is nothing like Agios Athanasios. It is a dry island and on it is the homonymous chapel. It was built during the Turkish occupation, and there is a small bell tower next to it.
The islet was a refuge for the frigate "Karteria" (not this one) in 1827, during the Battle of Agali, where 8 Ottoman ships collided with 6 ships of Greece and Britain. The naval battle took place in the area and ended with the victory of the Greek-British fleet.
During the period of the 1821 Revolution, according to the "Chronicle of Galaxidi", a hospital was operating for the treatment of wounded fighters. Every year, on 21 May, it is solemnly celebrated and the faithful are transported by local fishing boats.
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