The island to be
Ravaged after World War II and with a sponge-fishing industry in decline Hydra was bolstered by Hollywood in the 1950s. The 1957 film, 'Boy on a Dolphin', starring Sophia Loren, was filmed on the island. It was the Loren movie that brought the Hollywood crowd and introduced the island to the world. That, and Henry Miller's 'The Colossus of Maroussi' which stands as a seminal classic in travel literature and is considered by some critics his best work.
Greta Garbo, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Aristotle Onasis on his mythical 'Christina O'—perhaps the most written about yacht in history, today available for charter at 700.000 €/week— Maria Callas, Jackie Kennedy, Leonard Cohen, Peter Ustinov, and others, were among the international artists, intellectuals, celebrities and magnates alike, for whom the island became the preferred destination of choice in the 50's and the 60's.
To this day the island has continued to evade the package holiday crowd and remains a favourite retreat for celebrities, well-heeled tourists, and artists and writers, who draw inspiration from the idyllic surroundings. We suggest you to look into Polly Samson's 'A Theatre for Dreamers' with music from David Gilmour where, to quote the SUNDAY TIMES, 'The Greek island of Hydra is the star of this novel about a young woman and a 1960s bohemian community.' read more
PINK FLOYD'S DAVID GILMOUR AND LEONARD COHEN MIGHT'VE NOT GOT A BRONZE STATUE FACING THE WATER, JUST AS FREDDIE MERCURY—YET FOUND TO THEMSELVES A HOME IN HYDRA AND IN THE HEARTS OF ITS PEOPLE
A National Heritage
Hydra enjoyed its glory days in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the island was famous for its shipbuilders. Hydra's prosperity earned it the nickname “Little England.” Owing to Hydra's dominance in sea trade across the Mediterranean during the late Ottoman years, in the 18th and early 19th centuries, its architecture is unique among the Greek islands, with influences from Mediterranean coastal cities, particularly those of southern France and Italy. When later the Greeks launched their War of Independence in 1821, Hydra emerged as a leading naval power. The harbor, with its twin forts and plenty of cannon, housed and protected the fleet of 130 ships. read more
Image credit Pige Francesco (1822 - 1862)
Portrait of a Lady from Hydra
Oil on canvas, 82 x 65 cm
NATIONAL GALLERY
TO GET AROUND THE ISLAND, THE ONLY OPTIONS AVAILABLE ARE WALKING, RIDING ON A DONKEY, MULE, OR HORSE, OR TAKING A BOAT
Image credit J.Salatas
The Greek island that banned wheels
In recognition for its history and architecture and intended to preserve the island's character, Ministerial Decree no.1824 declared Hydra a National patrimony as early as in 1962. Building and construction maintenance is strictly regulated as well no wheeled vehicles, not bicycles even, are permitted. Simply said, there is no single modern construction to be seen anywhere on the island. As well, with the entire town and surroundings paved mostly with stone stepways, to get around the island, the only options available are walking, riding on a donkey, mule, or horse, or taking a boat.
You can read more in the BBC Travel article 'Hydra: The Greek island that banned wheels.'
Ladies, do not even consider of bringing your stilettos, if not only for wearing in the bedroom!
Now, If you read that, you uncovered our hidden Easter egg and you have just won yourself a free one-night stay, contact us to claim it.
THE PAINTERS WHO CONGREGATED ABOUT THE PORT IN THE LAST SIXTY YEARS WERE AMONG SOME OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND INVENTIVE ARTISTS OF THEIR GENERATION
Do you remember the pink oleander
Housed atop a cliff†, Jeff Koons' Apollo Wind Spinner — a hard to miss 9.1 meter installation — greets people entering the port of Hydra. The island have always had a lasting charm effect to artistic creation. 'Hydra Island during the latter half of the Twentieth Century was one of those unique locations in the history of artistic achievement, for like Paris in the Twenties, or London’s Soho during the Thirties, or New York in the Fifties it was a remarkable venue for bohemian life and creativity' Harvard scholar and poet Dr. Kevin McGrath writes. To those with an aptitude for the arts, we very much recommend you to head over to the website by Els Hanappe, 'Do you remember the pink oleander', which gathers original research and an extensive bibliography & filmography about the making of an international artists’ community on the island of Hydra during mid-20th Century.
Image credit Tetsis Panayiotis (1925 - 2016)
Hydra, Sea, 1998
Watercolour on paper, 74,7 x 105 cm
NATIONAL GALLERY
† Exhibited June 21 - October 31, 2022, Slaughterhouse, A DESTE Project Space, Hydra, Greece.
Now, permanently in Hydra after approval from the Municipality of Hydra and the Archaeological Committee of the Ministry of Culture, in 2023.
