Cycladia Travel Guides

Hydra Sightseeing

The Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum

The Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum can be found in the Cathedral. Known as the “monastery” it was built in the mid-17th century. The visitor can admire vestments, relics, pictures and tributes of the 18th century mainly. Among them stands the image of the Virgin Mary “Rodo Amaranto” dated about 1774.

Opening hours
April - November 15th > Tuesday - Sunday, 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Information
Tel.: +30 22980 54071

Hydra Museum of Historical Archives

The Hydra Museum of Historical Archives (ΙΑΜΥ) was founded in 1918. The building where it was housed was given to the state by Gikas N. Koulouris. The mayor of the island at that time, Anthony Lignos, discovered a lot of the material of these archives in the monastery of the Virgin Mary. In 1972 the old building was demolished and a new one was built in its place. It officially opened its doors in 1996 and is open every day. The islanders consider this museum a real treasure of the history of the island!

Historic House of Pavlos Kountouriotis

On the west side of the port, on a hillside full of pine trees, stands the house of Pavlos Kountouriotis. In 1991 it was bought by the Ministry of Culture and made into a museum honouring the Kountouriotis’ family and the post-Byzantine art and history of Hydra. The House is open to the public.

Information
Tel.: +30 22980 52245

Historic House of Lazaros Kountouriotis

This building is a typical example of Hydra’s 18th and 19th century architecture and it can be seen when one enters the port. In 1979 Pantelis Kountouriotis donated it to the state and the state then allowed it to be used by the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece. Nowadays it is part of the National Historical Museum and, naturally, it is open to the public.

Information
Tel.: +30 22980 52421

The Merchant Marine Academy

The School of Agios (St.) Vassilis was founded in 1749. In 1800 it served as a Naval School. Before the Greek Revolution teachers from abroad, mainly from Italy and Portugal, worked here and spread the naval technique and theory. Part of the curriculum was a variety of languages.

In 1927 a private Maritime Academy was founded and in 1930 the building operated as Merchant Marine School, since it became part of the higher technical and theoretical education. It was housed in a building donated by An. Tsamados and Ath. Koulouris. During the 2nd World War the Naval School of Hydra moved to Athens and Piraeus until 1948. Its training ships were "Saint George", the "Electra" and "Eugene Eugenides".

Since 1989 the alternating education was applied, with a total of 2.800 captain graduates. Nowadays these schools have been removed from the Greek educational system.

The Nunnery of Agia (St.) Efpraxia

The Nunnery of Agia (St.) Efpraxia, surrounded by pine and cypress trees, was built in 1865 at a high altitude so the visitor can enjoy a spectacular view.

The Monastery of the Prophet Elias

This monastery was built in 1813. To reach it one goes through a beautiful pine forest. During the Greek Revolution it served as a prison and place of exile for Theodoros Kolokotronis, one of the leaders of the Revolution, and other chieftains. The library with many manuscripts and books is worthwhile a visit.

Within a short distance of the monastery lies the highest mountain of Hydra, Eros, with an altitude of 588. This point offers a panoramic view of the island and the islands of the Argosaronic Gulf.

The Monastery of Agios (St.) Nicholas

The monastery is located in Limnioniza, whose date of built remains unknown. The architect followed the byzantine style with an octagonal dome. During the Greek Revolution it was at its heyday but as time went by, it was eventually closed when the last monk passed away. Now, with the blessings of the Greek Orthodox Church and after going through full renovation, it operates as a nunnery.

The Church of Ipapanti (Visitation)

This church was built in 1780 and its temple belongs to the Holy Cathedral of Assumption. It is considered one of the most historic churches of the island.

The Monastery of the Virgin Mary (Zourva)

The monastery lies on the east coast of Hydra and towards the Argosaronic Gulf. To get there you need to take a sea taxi from the town of Hydra. After 35-40 minutes you will reach the port of Lediza which is near the monastery. The whole journey from where the sea taxi will drop the visitor off to the monastery is uphill and takes about 40-45 minutes. The view from the monastery is very rewarding and will help the visitor forget the difficulties of reaching it.

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