THE ISLAND OF ARGYRONISOS
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Argyronisos (also known as Silver Island) is situated in the Gulf of Volos to the west of Skiathos and Skopolos between the northern tip of Evia and the mainland. The white-washed hilltop town of Trikeri is clearly visible to the north east.
Argyronisos is a 20 minute speedboat ride from the town of Oreoi which is the closest village with shops for sourcing supplies as well as enjoying lazy lunches in the tavernas around the charming harbour.
The island has two jetties on opposite sides, which are large enough to accommodate deliveries by barge from the mainland when required. There is a helipad next to the Stonehouse for quick and easy access from Athens Airport.
The island is approximately 1.5kms in length with a maximum elevation of around 60m and has several converging contour paths that merge to form extended walking routes. The lower contour path circumnavigating the island it is approximately 3kms (2 miles) but the many paths lend themselves to longer meandering walks through the olive groves and along the clifftops to the still working Lighthouse (built in 1899) on the eastern tip of the island.
Along with the many hidden coves, accessible by swimming, kayaking or boat, there are two beaches on the North and South shores perfect for relaxing during the day on a sun lounger under a parasol interrupted only by a quick dip in the crystal clear waters to cool off during the heat of the day.
There are approximately 2000 olive trees on the island which in recent years have been maintained using organic farming best practices. The resulting olive oil harvest commands a premium with the markets on the mainland due to its character and purity. There is a small vineyard at the highest point of the island and a small herb garden adjoining the main house.
Dotted among the olive groves and cypress trees you will find plenty of day beds, hammocks and picnic spots to relax in the shade of the trees. On the western peninsula you find Sunset Rock where you can gather to enjoy the sun setting over the Aegean at the end of another perfect day.
THE ISLAND MYTHOLOGY
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Much of the magic that is Greece lies in the names of the islands. Many of these sun soaked jewels of the Aegean were named after the gods of Greek Mythology. Silver Island is no exception.
In the ages now gone by and shrouded in magic and folklore, Silver Island was known as Deucalion – a semi God.
Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha were credited in Greek mythology as being the re-creators of the human race after a great flood; their story has certain parallels with the story of Noah's Ark.
This is the story of Deucalion and Pyrrha. Zeus, ruler of Olympus, god of gods and men, and god of the weather, was angry with Prometheus, the god of fire. Deucalion was the son of Prometheus.
The use of fire had been the privilege of the gods alone, but Prometheus had given this gift to a human whose inadequacy to handle it had turned humans evil and wicked.
Zeus became angry with Prometheus and all humans and thus decided to create a terrible storm to end the human race on earth. But Prometheus intervened and Deucalion and Pyrrha (daughter of Pandora) were chosen by him to recreate the human race.
They made and provisioned a great Ark from Silver Island, where they lived and rode on the fury of the storm, sailing for nine days and nights and found themselves on Mount Parnassos.
It was here that they gave thanks to Zeus for their deliverance and they made an offering to Zeus and asked that a new generation be born. Whilst doing this they heard a voice commanding them to "cast the bones of their mother over their shoulders" – the stones of mother earth. They do as the voice commanded and all the stones that Deucalion threw became men and the stones Pyrrha threw became women and so mankind was reborn.
The modern day Greek word for people is "Laos" which is derived from "Laas" the ancient Greek word meaning pebble and stems from the myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha. It is said that Helen was born of the union of Deucalion and Pyrrha and that all kings and queens and noble people of Greece are their direct descendants by union.
In the Greek Encyclopaedia and in numerous references, Silver islands latitude and longitude are listed and confirmed as Deucalion and the little island a few hundred meters off the north of Silver island, as Pyrrha. It is also thought that the temple of Demeter may be found in the peninsula called Agios Demetrios some 900 meters North of the island.
There is a magical feeling continuously bestowed on all when visiting Silver Island, and we believe, albeit surrounded by magnificent scenic beauty, this is attributed to the mythology of Deucalion and Pyrrha, the Adam and Eve of Greek Mythology.
THE CHURCH
There is a small church close to the Main House on the island. The patron saints of the church are Cosmas and Damian. These saints were venerated as Unmercenary Physicians (Greek: ἀνάργυροι, anargyroi, "without money"). This classification of saints is unique to the Eastern Church and refers to those who heal purely out of love for God and man, strictly observing the command of Jesus: "Freely have you received, freely give." («Δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε...» Matthew 10:8) While each of the Unmercenaries have their own feast days, all are commemorated together on the first Sunday in November, in a feast known as the Synaxis of the Unmercenary Physicians.
THE LIGHTHOUSE
The Lighthouse was built in 1899 and is still operational. It is managed by the Hydrographic offices of the Hellenic Navy and is run off solar power. The tower is 23 meters tall and has a focal plane height of 105 meters. It rotates every 5 seconds with a range of 16 nautical miles. It is also one of the most beautiful spots on the island to watch the sun rise.
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