It is the second largest island
after Crete and one of the most
beautiful Greek islands. Its
charms are many spread all over
the island, presenting a picture
which is especially appreciated
by all its visitors. Together
with the island of Skyros, the
islands of the Gulf of Evia, a
part of the mainland and some
small islands, it constitutes
the county of Evia. Mountains
and sea alternate and fashion
landscapes of unique beauty that
leave nothing to be desired.
It is covered by a rich
vegetation both on the mountains
and in the valleys, while its
beaches are the undisputed
"diamonds" of the whole county.
The exceptionally clean seas of
Evia and its crystal-clear
waters invite you to explore
them and to admire the unlimited
beauties they hide. Adding to
all the above its excellent
tourist infrastructure and the
unrivalled hospitality which it
offers, surely make for an
unbeatable place, which is ready
to render your vacation
unforgettable.
Man first appeared both on
Evia and on Skyros during the
Paleolithic Age. Particularly,
in the region of New Artaki
finds were discovered coming
from workshops which produced
stone tools. During the next
centuries (1200 B.C. and later)
the Ionians arrived and settled
on Evia throwing out the older
inhabitants, the Avandes.
Chalkis, Eretria and the region
of Oreon were completely
destroyed by the Romans during
the first and second Macedonian
wars.
The roman expending domination
came to an only temporary
standstill when the king of
Pontos, Mithridates, conquered
the island, wishing to transform
it into a base for his
expeditions against the Romans.
Around the 7th century the city
of Chalkis was abandoned, as its
citizens left the original site
and settled in the west near the
hill of Euripus, where they
fortified themselves with a
wall. With the fall of the
Byzantine Empire and its
division among the Latin
conquerors, the island of Evia
was taken over by three Lombard
noblemen. |
