Bourtzi peninsula description and photos - Greece: Skiathos Island (Topic)

Bourtzi Peninsula description and photos - Greece: Skiathos Island. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Bourtzi.

Photo and description

Burdzi is a small peninsula that divides the harbor of Skiathos on the island of the same name into two parts. Burdzi probably got its name from the fortress that was here in the Middle Ages, from which, unfortunately, only ruins have survived to this day.

At the beginning of the 13th century, after Constantinople passed into the hands of the Crusaders, the island Skiathos passed into the possession of the Genoese brothers Gizi. They built on a tiny peninsula the Venetian-style Bourdzi fortress with battlements and loopholes, very similar to the fortress of the same name in Nafplion. Lookout towers were located to the left and right of the main gate. Today, it is not possible to establish the real height of the walls based on the remaining ruins, but it is assumed that the fortification was quite high and powerful. On the territory of the fortress there was the Church of St. George, probably also built by the Gizi brothers. In this regard, the fortress was also named as the castle of St. George. The main purpose of the fortification was protection from constant pirate raids. The fortress was destroyed in 1660 when the island was occupied by the army of the Venetian Admiral Morosini.

In 1823, after the liberation of the island from the Turkish invaders, the first infirmary began to operate on the peninsula. In 1906, an elementary school was built in the center of Burdzi, financed by Andreas Singros. In 1925, a bust of the famous Greek writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, who was born, lived and died on the island of Skiathos, was placed near the entrance to the school.

Today, the picturesque Bourdzi peninsula, covered with a pine forest, with clean and cool air, as well as stunning panoramic views, it is a very popular destination among tourists. In the old school, on the initiative of the city authorities, they established an excellent cultural center with a well-equipped conference room and a summer theater, which hosts theatrical and musical performances.

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Topic: Bourtzi peninsula description and photos - Greece: Skiathos Island.