Psara

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Revision as of 14:33, 12 September 2010

Contents

Psara

Small info.png (Click links for more information)
World icon.png
38°32.4′N, 25°34′E
Photo icon.png
Photo gallery
Chart icon.png
Local chartlet
The Black Hill
Click for larger view

The island of Psara (Ψαρά) located about 10 nM W of Chios actually consist of two islands: Psara and Antipsara. There total area is 39 km2 they are lightly populated and definitely off the beaten tourist track. Not too many yachts call here.

Psara were very important during the Greek Revolution. Although during the middle ages they were uninhabited they were populated in the 15th and 16th centuries by Greeks from nearby Chios, from Evia, and from Thessaly who were fleeing the Ottomans. Slowly the new inhabitants became able seamen and traders. By the early 1800s Psara had the third largest Greek fleet, after Hydra and Spetses, consisting of 45 ships. During the revolution this fleet with their fire-ships were very effective against the Ottoman armada. The famous fire-ship heroes Papanikolis, Pipinos, and Kanaris all were from Psara. The Ottomans in retaliation for these activities invaded the islands and on July 5, 1824, after three days of fighting, massacred the population. A number of the oldest men together with the women and the children who could not fight were hiding in a cave, on the Black Hill (Μαύρη Ράχη) over the town, housing the gun powder. When the invaders approached the cave they blew the cave up rather than risk being captured. All together, very few people survived the invasion and even today the islands have an abandoned look. The Massacre of Psara is one of the most moving incidents of modern Greek history.

Στων Ψαρών την ολόμαύρη ράχη
περπατώντας η Δόξα μονάχη,
μελετά τα λαμπρά παλικάρια
και στη κόμη στεφάνι φορεί,
γινομένο απο τα λίγα χορτάρια
που είχαν μείνει στην έρημη γή.
On the Psara Black Hill
Glory is walking by all herself
contemplating the brilliant lost brave young people
wearing on her head a wreath
made by the few remaining weeds
left on the desolated earth.
by Dionysios Solomos


Charts

Satellite View of Psara
Click for larger view
BA
1087 Kólpos Petalión to Edremit Körfezi
1645 Nisos Chios and Izmir Körfezi
Imray-Tetra
G28 Nísos Khíos & the Coast of Turkey
NIMA
54352 Plans in theAegean Sea: Nisos Skyros, Ayios Efstratios, Nisos Psara
54382 Nisos Lesvos and Western Coast of Turkey
Greek
33 Cape Sounion to Lesvos I.

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

  • Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
  • Olympia Radio - VHF no signal

Weather

See Aegean Sea

Approach and Navigation

Danger: On the approach to Psara from the west be aware of the many reefs near the islets Antipsara & Katonisi.

Approaches from the east are straightforward.

Ports and Popular Stops

Psara Harbor

World icon.png 38°32.4′N, 25°34′E

There is only one harbor, the harbor of Psara. It is a small harbor very well protected all year but space is limited. Around 6-8 yachts can anchor moor stern-to on the west quay. Alternatively moor on the outer quay clear of the ferries; it is, however, very exposed here in northerly winds. Water and electricity points on the west quay but not connected. Depths are too shallow to moor elsewhere in the harbour, which is in any case mostly occupied with fishing boats. The bottom is mud and weed with some rocks and provides good holding. The anchorage in the cove immediately NE of the harbour, shown in some pilots, was mostly obstructed at the time of visiting (July 2008) with huge concrete blocks being used to repair the outer harbour wall.

However, other visitors have weathered a force 8 gale in this anchorage (1992 --Istioploos Greece Icon.png).

The little town is very pleasant and the people are very friendly. There are wonderful isolated beaches a short walk or dinghy ride from the harbor.

Caution: Watch out for the reefs around Antipsara and Katonisi islands. With very strong NW winds entering the harbor can be very hard.

Chart of Psara Harbor - Chartlet
Click for larger view

Anchorages

Cove East of the Harbor

Cove E of the Harbor of Psara
Click for larger view

World icon.png 38°32.3′N, 25°34.6′E - Chartlet
A quieter and less dusty alternative to the harbor is a cove about 1 nM to the east. It is secluded, very safe and well protected from the meltemi. I have been twice here with a force 8 meltemi (--Istioploos Greece Icon.png).

Anchor at about 4 m depth and do let out plenty of scope. The bottom is sand with some slate so the anchor may not always hold but when it does it is quite secure.

The town is a 20 minute walk away. There is a pleasant path that follows the coast and a longer inland dirt road.

Warning: When landing with the dinghy at the beach watch out for the swallow ring of rocks.

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

None.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

  • Fuel - N/A
  • Water - There is an outlet at the quay but use it sparingly as the island's water supply is very limited
  • Electricity - N/A

Tourism & things to do ashore

Tourism

Greece Psara Rachi2.jpg
The Commemorative Column on the Black Hill
Click for larger view
Greece Psara6.jpg
The Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin
Click for larger view

The Black Hill (Μαύρη Ράχη), site of the mass suicide to avoid capture is now a garbage damp but the event is commemorated by a plaque on the little chapel. It is a 10 minute walk from the town.

About a 3 hour walk at the N of the island there is the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin , an interesting site. It is not always open, so enquire at the town before setting off.

Grocery & Supply Stores

  • There is a good supermarket a short walk inland from the harbor
  • Near the harbor there is a very good bakery

Eateries

  • Good sea-food at the Ηλιοβασιλέματα - Sunsets looking to the West. Lobster is their specialty.
  • Tavernas on the harbor waterfront, food is indifferent

Internet/WiFi

N/A.

Laundry

N/A.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

N/A.

Garbage Disposal

In bins at the harbor.

Transportation

  • There is one taxi
  • There is a small ferry to Chios

Routes/Passages To/From

See N - S Passages in East Aegean.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

External Links

References & Publications

See Greece.


Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

Personal Notes

Psara is not "on the beaten track" yet it is delightful and very quiet island to visit. --Istioploos


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