VI. Evia and the Northern Sporades

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West coast of Evia and adjacent mainland coast

This section covers the stretch of water hemmed in between the island of Evia and the adjacent mainland coast. The section is split into a further two sub-sections covering the sea area S of Khalkis (Kölpos Petalion and Notios Ewoikos Kölpos/the S Gulf of Evia) and N of Khalkis (Vörios Ewoi'kos Kölpos/the N Gulf of Evia).

Evia (also Evoia, Euboea, or Euripos after the narrow channel at Khalkis) or Negroponte, the Venetian name, is the long mountainous island lying parallel in a NW-SE direction to the mainland coast. After Crete it is the largest Greek island. The irregular mountain range is geographically the continuation of the Pilion range running down the east side of the Gulf of Volos. Mt Dhirfis (Dhelfi), 45 miles NW of Âk Kafırevs, is the summit of the island at 1,874m (5,718ft). Ten miles further NW, Mt Pixaria is 1,445m (4,406ft) high, and at the southern end of the island Mt Okhi {Okhi = no, and here means the mountain defies all), is 1,398m (4,586ft) high. Between these considerable peaks the island is rugged and steep-to with little flat land except on the W coast. The peaks are covered in snow in the winter and often far into the spring. On the lower slopes the mountains are densely wooded in pine, plane, holm oak and olive trees. The coastal plains on the west are fertile and intensively cultivated in corn, vines, figs and market gardens. Lignite and magnesite are mined and marble quarried - Evian cipollino was prized above all others by the Romans.

The mainland coast opposite is also mountainous, although it is not in the league of the Evian mountains. Mt Knimis, standing inland from the cape of the same name in the N, is 946m (3,077ft) high, a peak opposite Khalkis with a conspicuous white patch near the summit rises to 1,030m (3,350ft), and Mt Pendelikon near Athens rises to 1,119m (3,638ft). For the most part the mainland mountains are barren or covered in maquis, but the coastal plain is wooded or cultivated. From a point opposite Khalkis the motorway north mostly follows the coastline.

In antiquity Evia was divided between seven city-states of which Khalkis and Eretria were the two most important. These two cities were rivals for the fertile Lelantine Plain lying between them with Khalkis finally winning by default when Eretria was razed by the invading Persians. After the Persian wars Evia came under the sway of Athens. It passed on to Rome and to Byzantium without too many hiccups.

When the Venetians took Evia they renamed the island, calling it Negroponte, meaning 'black bridge' - a corruption of the name of the bridge spanning the Euripos Channel. Under the Venetians it ranked as a kingdom. In 1470 the island was occupied by the Turks and remained under Turkish rule until it became Greek in 1830.

The proximity of the mainland coast to Athens (Rafina is only I8.5 miles away) has raised this area to the dubious status of a summer commuter belt. Large villas line much of the coast between Lavrion and Khalkis and land development is beginning north of Khalkis. The opening of the new airport for Athens at Sparta near this coast will no doubt bring further development. Athenians have also started to go to Evia, but the poor roads and sheer size of the island ensure that large parts of it remain virtually untouched.

Coasts south of Khalkis

Mainland coast

GAİDHOUROMANDRA and OLYMPIC MARINA

Approach

From the S the marina and yard will not be seen until you are up to Âk Foniâs. Once you have opened the bay the outer breakwater, yard buildings and the masts of yachts will be seen. From the N the buildings and harbour at Lavrion will be seen and closer in the breakwater and shoreside buildings at the Olympic yard.

By night Use the light on Âk Foniâs F1.2-5s6M. The marina entrance is lit F1.R.3M. VHF Ch 09 for Olympic Marine.

Mooring

Data 680 berths. Visitors' berths. Max LOA 30m+.

Depths 2-10m.

Berth Where directed. Laid moorings.

Shelter Excellent all-round shelter.

Authorities Port police and customs. Harbourmaster

and marina staff. Charge band 3.

Facilities

Services Water and electricity at every berth. Shower

and toilet block. Laundry service.

Fuel On the quay near the travel-hoist bay.

Repairs Olympic Marine 1,000 dry berths. 300

covered berths. 200/65/40-ton travel-hoists.

Covered workshops. All mechanical and

engineering repairs. GRP repairs including osmosis

treatment and spray-painting facilities. Wood

repairs. Electrical work. Liferaft certification. Sail

repairs arranged. Chandlers.

Olympic Marine S.A., GR 19500 Lavrion, Attica,

Greece.Tel. 0292 27701-5 Fax 0292 22569.

Provisions Mini-market. Better shopping in Lavrion

(market on Thursdays).

Eating out A restaurant cum yacht club and a snack

bar are planned in the marina. Fotis, previously

within the yard, has built a new restaurant outside

just up the hill and those who have visited say he still

cooks good food (Tel. 60875). Otherwise tavernas in

Lavrion.

Other Bank planned in the marina. Telephone and

fax facilities. Hire cars and taxis. Bus to Athens.

313

Olympic marina looking N

315

316

Facilities

Services Water and electricity on the town quay.

Water on the mole.

Fuel Near the quay on the W. A mini-tanker

supplies yachts on the quay or go to the fuel quay at

Olympic Marina nearby.

Repairs Most mechanical repairs. The extensive

repair facilities of the Olympic Yard are nearby.

Provisions Good shopping for provisions nearby.

Eating out Tavernas in the town.

Other PO. OTE. Bank. Greek gas and Camping Gaz.

Infrequent bus to Athens. Ferry to Kea and

Kithnos.

General

Lavrion was once an important port shipping cadmium and manganese and small amounts of lead from the reworking of the ancient mine tailings. The mines were probably worked as early as 1000 BC and in classical times large amounts of silver were extracted from the Lavrion mines whose wealth boosted Athens' commercial power.

Today Lavrion is a grubby 'has-been' port with piles of slag and ore littered around the coast. Yet it has its own charm, a sort of faded dignity and glimpses of old-world wealth in the villas around town. The waterfront has now been cleaned up and there are new cafes and bars along it. Most of those who spend some time here while working on a boat in the Olympic yard have a certain fondness for the place that is not readily apparent on a first visit.

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