Psara

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Revision as of 21:46, 16 July 2008

Psara

Background

Caption

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.

Kanaris by Nikiforos Lytras Click for larger view

Destruction of Psara by Nikolaos Gyzis Click for larger view

Charts

• BA 1087 Kólpos Petalión to Edremit Körfezi
• BA 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
• NIMA 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

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

Chart of Psara Harbor
Click for larger view

There is only one harbor, the harbor of Psara [38° 32.5' N 25° 33.5' E]. It is a small harbor very well protected all year but the spaces are limited. You can either go stern-to on the W quay or alongside on the E jetty. The bottom is mud and weed with some rocks it provides good holding.

You can anchor off-shore in the cove just NW of the harbor, I have weathered a force 8 gale here in 1992 (--Istioploos 14:31, 16 July 2008 (MDT)).

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

View of the Harbor Click for larger view

Greece Psara3.jpg The Harbor of Psara Click for larger view

Anchorages

Cove East of the Harbor

Cove E of the Harbor of Psara
Click for larger view

A quieter and less dusty alternative to the harbor is a cove [38° 32.3' N 25° 34' E] 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 14:31, 16 July 2008 (MDT)).

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.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Tourism & things to do ashore

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.

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

Laundry

N/A.

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

• Tavernas on the harbor waterfront, food is indiferent

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Motorbike & Car Rentals

N/A.

Marine Stores & Facilities

None.

Repairs

N/A.

Transportation

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

References & Publications

See Greece.

Cruiser's Friends

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

Forum Discussions

• Psara (Wikipedia)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• August 2001 --Istioploos 14:31, 16 July 2008 (MDT)

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