According to the monuments and archaeological finds, the island was inhabited by Agios EfstratiThe pthe beginning of the 5th century BC while it is probable that the island was inhabited since the Early Bronze Age.
The ferries that serve the island are few and the route they operate is: Kavala-Myrina-Agios Efstratios-Lavrio and vice versa, while there is also the Aiolis ferry that serves the residents of the islands of Agios Efstratios-Lemnos. As the ship approaches the island of Agios Efstratiou, one can see the settlement adorning the harbor and along its beach.
It is a small village of 250 inhabitants, some of whom were born and raised in it and every house has a story to tell you. On the other hand, there are also residents who happened to be on the island and fell in love with both the place and its inhabitants, resulting in them staying permanently there.
Ai Stratis is an ideal destination for relaxation, without fuss and mass tourism, while it exudes its own unique energy.
Life on the island was in full swing when the 1968 earthquake left massive destruction, with around 175 buildings collapsing, 24 dead and many injured. The few buildings that remained, without being completely destroyed, were repaired and still adorn the island today.
Two of the emblematic buildings that have remained on the island are the Maraslios School which was built at the beginning of the 20th century with a donation from the national benefactor, Grigorios Maraslis and functioned as a primary school in the period 1912-1968, together with the Museum of Democracy, which housed the old clinic . In it one can read the history and struggles of the exiles to survive despite the adversities of the barren line and to keep their culture and arts alive. Varnalis, Karouzos, Ritsos, Livaditis, Ludemis and Katrakis also belonged to the exiles.
The main road of the island, which hugs the port, is a straight line suitable for walking, cycling or even running, while the road connected to the southern part of the island is 13 km long and reaches the monument of the pilot of the Air Force Nikolaos Sialmas.
Some activities that should not be missed when visiting the island of Agios Efstratiou are the visit to the chapel of Agios Minaswith the wonderful view and the magical sunset, the visit to the cave of Osios Efstratios and the visit to the sea caves around the island.
Finally, a visit to Ai Stratis should not miss a walk in the Velanidia forest with its pure oxygen and the purity of nature. On the island, a project of opening 40 km of paths is being implemented, which pass through the rich nature.
It is also worth trying the local products, which are made with love by the locals. These are cheese products such as Melichloro, feta or kalataki, dry mizithra and butter. And of course the "white honey" as the locals call it, which has the taste of willow flowers and is considered one of the rarest honeys in the world.
Three days are enough to visit the island of Agios Efstrati, relax, recharge your batteries and return to the fast pace of everyday life.
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