Eretria

A maritime city with rich history, it was the second most important city in ancient Evia. It took its name from the word “eretis”, meaning “rower” in ancient Greek, a reflection of its dominant position over the centuries in the Greek seas.

Today, Eretria town is a popular destination for holidaymakers thanks to its many archaeological sites, natural beauty and excellent choice of hotels and restautrants.In addition to road access from Halkida, Eretria can be reached by ferry (around 30 min) from the port of Scala Oropou close to Athens.

Our cruises to the South Evoikos Gulf depart from Eretria.

Signs of organized life have existed since prehistoric times, while the first mention of the city takes place in Homer’s Iliad. It was a pioneering colonial power along with Halkida. The two cities fought each other were confronted with the Lilantian war, and later Eretria participated in the wars of the Greeks against the Persians.

Its decline began after the victory of King Philip’s Macedonians in Greece at the end of the 4th century BC and was completed with submission to the Romans at the beginning of the 1st century AD.

The city was later deserted and therefore there are no historical records either for the Byzantine period or the period of the Ottoman rule.

It was rebuilt in 1833 by inhabitants of the island of Psara who had been left homeless after the Ottomans  burned their island in 1824. In fact, Eretria was renamed New Psara, a name that remained until 1960.