The island of Skyros is known for its dry southern part vs. its lush northern part. Still, the south features hollies, briers, wild olive-trees, maples and holms, while the pine-clad north grows grain, vines, fig trees and vegetables as well. There are also forests of cedars, bearberry, myrtles, osiers and lentisks.
Beyond the main island to the north, Skyros is an archipelago that boasts more than 20 small islets. A complex of little islets called Podies has around eight black pebble beaches that are unique. The isle of Skyropoula to the west of Skyros is covered by cedar trees, so is the smaller one called Rhenia.
Diavati is the small island that boasts the phenomenon of gigantism. The unique extra-large lizard Padarcis gaegae exists there, so do many large-growing herbs and greens such as capers, mallow (Molocha), bitter radish, leek and rock fennel (Kritamo).
Photo: kathimerini.gr
Photo (cover): G Da