Méthana from N (Aígina). The islet on the front is Moní
Methana
The peninsula of Méthana is an impressive mountainous volume, which is characteristic as seen by sea from any direction. In its interior lies the dead for more than 2000 years volcano of Méthana. The city of Méthana lies on the eastern side of the peninsula, “sighting” the entrance to Póros channel and anchorage.
In antiquity, Méthana city was situated near today’s Megalochóri, on the western side of the peninsula, on top of a steep coastal hill. The few excavations have revealed that this hill was inhabited since the Prehistoric times (mycenean vessels). City ruins can be seen at several places, whereas the walls of the citadel (4th century BC.) still remain in a good condition. The ancient city also had a harbour, located today approximately ½ nml SE of the small coastal village (and fishing harbour) of Vathý.
The sea to the NW of Méthana peninsula is the deepest part of Saronikós gulf, at a distance of around 2 nml from A. Panagiá depths are 400m. The ancients believed that monsters lived at that part of the sea and avoided it when sailing.
Méthana are known since antiquity for their thermal springs. For at least 3000 years, sulphur springs well from within the ground, close to the beach and inside the sea, in several places around the peninsula. There is a large therapeutic centre in the modern city of Méthana, which welcomes patients with rheumatisms, dermal conditions, neurological etc. Close to the ancient town of Méthana (on the other side of the peninsula), there also are thermal springs.
The inner part of Méthana peninsula is generally not inhabited and in parts barren. The reason for this is mainly the inactive Méthana volcano, with its many crates. According to the writings of ancient Strávon and Pafsanías, the volcano erupted around 250 BC. The result was devastating with extensive damages in the surrounding areas from the lava and the ashes on the atmosphere. Life in Méthana was struck hard and those who survived the catastrophe left the peninsula.
The crate of Kaiméni Chóra is the most known of all the crates, with a depth of 50m and a diameter of 100m. You can drive up until the small and almost abandoned today village of Kaiméni Chóra and then continue by foot to the crate. The footpath is carved on the ancient lava and at the end of it (and during), exquisite views of lunar scapes await you. There is a seasonal tavern in the village, but maybe it’s prudent if you come here well equipped with water and snacks, as there is nothing else around.
Poros
The island of Póros is actually two islands, which in antiquity were named Sfairía and Kalavría. Sfairía was the small island opposite Galatás, on which today the city of Póros is amphitheatrically spread. It is connected with the much larger island of Kalavría, which is basically the island of Póros minus its town, via a bridge.
Sfairía took her name from Pélopa’s charioteer, Sfaíro, a very gifted charioteer thanks to who Pélopas won the famous chariot race with Oinómaos and became King of Ilída.
The name “Kalavría” probably derives from “Kalí ávra” (good breeze, something along the lines of Buenos Aires) and is related to the patron of the island, Poseidon.
Initially, the island of Póros was connected with the opposite coasts of Pelopónnisos and was severed during the later archaic period due to land sedimentation, which created Póros channel.
In the ancient city of Kalavría, ruins have been found of a temple dedicated to god Poseidon. The temple was built on 190m altitude at Palátia position, between the two highest peaks of the island, Vígla (380m) and Profítis Ilias (320m), and it may be the most magnificent spot on the island. This temple was built around the 6th cen. BC, and unfortunately, very few remains exist today as most of the findings were stolen from neighbouring islands to be used as building materials. Whatever was left is exhibited in the archaeological museum of Póros.
During the Byzantine era, the islands of the Saronic gulf suffered by piratic raids. In the island of Póros, the pirates mainly used the bay of Barbariá (Vagioniá). During the Turkish rule, the island remained independent.
In 1830, the Hellenic fleet of the first government was based on the island, however in the summer of 1831, during the civil war between Kapodístrias (the first prime minister) and the island of Ýdra, Miaoúlis (a captain and hero of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman oppression) burned a part of the Hellenic fleet so that the leadership of the Hellenic Navy will not go to Russian hands.
