A Brief History
In Ancient times early settlers of Skiathos included the Pelasgians, Mycenaeans, Mir.oans, Cretans and the Chalcidians, this was due to the geographic location of Skiathos, lying as it does on the major North-South and East-West Sea routes. In former times anybody sailing from Athens to Thessaioniki would pass between Skiathos and Peiion.

The Chalcidians built the town on the South East side of the harbour1, which survived all through the classical, Hellenistic and Byzantine period. Around the year 12Q4AD the island came under Venetian Rule for nearly 70 years, this was until the Byzantine Empire recaptured it.

During the second period of the Byzantine rule there was a greet deal of piracy, which forced the inhabitants to seek protection by building the "KASTRO" on the North side of the island. The Kastro is now a deserted Medieval Town, where one can see traces of the streets, houses and churches. This Byzantine Rule continued until 1453.

In 1453 Skiathos came under Venetian rule again after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks. However, this region was not for long as a major disaster occurred in 1538 when Baressa, (a Greek who converted to Islam) terrorised the Mediterranean and enslaved 4000 inhabitants of Skiathos. The Venetian Governor was killed at the beginning of the 17th Century, and Kastro was restored under Turkish rule.

In 1660 the Venetian Governor Francesco Mcrozini seized the Kastro, and once more Skiathos was under Venetian Rule. However, the Turks recaptured the island soon after that.

In 1821, Skiathos took part in the war against the Turks, and in 1829 Greece became Independent and Skiathos was part of the newly recognised country. The inhabitants left Kastro and began to rebuild the town of Skiathos, which remains today.