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Salamina Island
Area: 101 sq km (39 sq mi)
Population: 28.600
Salamina,
mainly a wooded island, close to Piraeus, in the Gulf of
Saronikos, enjoys a frequent shuttle service by motor-sailing
vessels, caiques, from nearby Piraeus and from Perama across
the Straits. Wheat, olive oil, and wine are produced here, and
fishing is also a major industry. The island has good roads
and a network of bus and taxi services.
At Eandio there are
the remains of ancient Telamon. Sandy beaches are at Kaki
Vigla, Moulki, Kanakia, Kaminia and Peristeria which is also
well-known for its numerous taverns serving delightful Greek
delicacies. No large hotels exist on this island as the port
of Piraeus just opposite links this island with very frequent
ferry shuttle services.
The island
is, famous for the decisive naval battle between the Athenians
and the Persians which took place in the year 480b.c.
According to Homer, Salamina was the home of the Greek
legendary heroes Ajax and Teucer. It was the object of a
conflict between Megara and Athens and was taken by the latter
in the 6th century BC. The strait between Salamina and the
Greek mainland was the site of the Greek naval victory of the
Athenian statesman Themistokles over Xerxes I, king of Persia,
in 480 BC. Salamina fell to Macedonia in 318 BC but returned
to Athenian control in the following century. |
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