Greece’s Mysterious Lichadonisia Islands
Lichadonisia or Lichades (Λιχαδονήσια) is a fantastic island complex in Northeast Euboiea. This truly paradise place consists of seven islands and islets. Manolia is the largest one and it is top tourist attraction in the summer.
This archipelago, sandwiched like stepping-stones in the Malian Gulf between the north-east coast of Attika and the northern tip of Euboiea Island, has a mythological past.
The Myth
As the story goes, the hero Herakles won a bride as a battle prize. Her name was Deianira. As she was transported to the mainland by boat the ferryman, a wild centaur named Nessus, attempted to rape her. Herakles was watching from the shore and fired a poison arrow. As the half-man/half-horse lay dying he told Deianira to take some of his blood as a talisman to ensure that Herakles would be always faithful to her.
As time passed, Herakles took another woman as his favorite. Deianira remembered what the dying centaur had told her and rubbed some of the centaur’s blood on a cloak which she sent as a “gift” for Herakles with a servant named Lichas. When Herakles put the cloak on, his skin began to burn and he realized that the cloak was poisoned so he threw the servant into the sea. Licha broke into pieces and Poseidon, the sea god, turned him into stones creating the Lichadonisia Islands.
Some, however, say that the islands were actually formed by a prehistoric volcanic explosion, further reshaped by an earthquake in 426 BC.
The beach is sandy and the water is crystal clear. It’s a hidden paradise on earth. A canteen offers great food with reasonable prices. For those who prefer umbrellas and sundecks they are available with no extra cost. Small boat trips can take you around the island complex which is an amazing experience.
From Athens drive about 2 hours to Kammena Vourla and take the boat. In about 20 minutes you will arrive there.