Greek Islands Portal

A narrow stretch of sea separates Poros from Galatas on the Peloponnesian coast of Trizinia opposite.
It is located 32 nautical miles south from Piraeus. The island has an area of 31 square kilometers and about 4.000 inhabitants.
Poros is a volcanic island, created by the joining of Kalavria and Sferia, two pre-existing islets.
There is much vegetation on the island and the highest hill is Vigla (358 meters above the sea level).
A canal divides the island into 2 parts. The major part, called Kalavria, is a limestone ridge rising to 390 meters ; the minor section is a volcanic islet called Sferia, where is the capital and the port.

In ancient times, Poros was called Kalavria and together with several cities formed the Kalavrian League (7thc.BC) of which it was the headquarters.

In the period of Turkish domination it was semi-independent and during the Greek War of independence in 1821, the inhabitants assisted the people of Hydra and Spetses in their struggle against the Turks. In 1830, the first Greek shipyard was created on the island and continued in use until 1877.