Athens mini cruise: "East Attica Hidden Gems"

A breath away from the center of Athens, the picturesque port of Porto Rafti is located in Markopoulos and is officially called "Mesogaia Port". Ηowever, it owes its name as Porto Rafti (=Tailor’s Port) to the giant ancient statue that dominates the entrance of the bay, on its largest island. Although the colossus has lost its features, it reminded the villagers of a seated Tailor.
The port of Mesogaia was the gateway of Attica to the northeastern Aegean and the Pontus. It was inhabited during the Proto-Hellenic period (3000 BC), while in classical times there were two municipalities in the area. From the 12th century, with the collapse of Byzantium and the constant raids of pirates, the inhabitants fled inland. During the years of Turkish rule, the port of Porto Rafti was one of the safest in the east of Attica. Until the middle of the 20th century, the port had a commercial character.

Legend has it that the statue is a petrified girl, who was marbled as she ran to escape her pursuer. On the other hand, archaeologists argue that it represents some goddess. However, the tradition prevailed, since people imagined it as a sitting tailor holding his stolen golden scissors.
Its oversized height, together with its base, exceeds 4m, qualifying it as a "Colossus". It was sculpted in the 2nd century AD. of white Pentelic marble while its form is clearly altered by air and sea spray as its edges and head are broken. His battered condition makes the identification of who he represents even more difficult.
The "Seated Tailor" gave his name to the port it overlooks, as incoming ships, facing him, knew they had now reached the comfort of "The Tailor's Port" (Porto Rafti) {Rafti=Tailor}

As we sail around Hamolia, one will notice a wild recess in its coastline. The hard-to-reach "Spider Cove" closes all around in a rocky lunar landscape reminiscent of a fjord. At its end, the long neck ends in a sandy deserted beach.
The impressive formation of the Fjord protects the waters inside the bay, leaving the sea calm and suitable for quiet pleasures!

The "Aspronisia", as they are called, are a small cluster of islets close to Hamolia. Their waters are protected from the strong winds, leaving a blue-green arid lake in their center like an exotic Blue Lagoon.
The Greek seas are full of similar desert islands. Even though dry and infertile, the small islets of Aegean are extremely important to the ecosystem.
For terrestrial animals they are not attractive since they have little space, food and water. But for the seabirds that feed in the sea, a small island is not only sufficient, but also an ideal shelter protected from any kind of intruder.
For seabirds, the safety of the isolated island is a basic need. However, even land birds prefer the safety of the Aegean islets to nest even if they come and go daily to the large islands or mainland of Greece to feed. Apart from the avifauna, the islets are also refuge for the endangered Mediterranean seal that seeks inaccessible beaches and caves to give birth or rest.

Inside the peaceful bay of Vravrona, the islet of Agios Alexandros emerges from the sea. A small church and a windmill of Cycladic architecture are built on it, giving Aegean notes to the beautiful landscape!
The seabed all around is rich in fish, shellfish, octopuses and sponges and sea turtles have been frequently seen swimming around. A mask and some time for snorkeling is worth it! It is said that St. Alexander's chapel at the top was built overnight by the locals to prevent the grandiose plans to use the island and build a hotel or according to others, a casino. Today, at the end of every of August, its memory is commemorated and a liturgy is held on the island, while local boats undertake to transport the faithful.

Many years ago, in the Mycenaean era, the legend says that Agamemnon's children, Orestes and Iphigenia, stole a wooden statue of the goddess Artemis from the land of the bulls and built a temple in a sacred place to house it. It is said that she remained a priestess in the temple until the end of her life, where she was buried. In the ruins of the temple, the white marble columns stand out even today in the quiet meadow of Erasinos. Vravrona was first inhabited in the Neolithic Age and was united with Athens at the time of Theseus, forming one of its 20 municipalities. Today, it's archaeological site houses a museum with exhibits from the wider area of Mesogaia. Over time, Vravrona continues to be in harmony with nature. The wetlands and Natura 2000 area spread around the temple. Its rich ecosystem is suitable for a walk in the countryside with culture while it is considered an ideal place for birdwatching!

“Erotospilia” (=Cave of Love) is one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches of Attica. The beach consists of a small cove with the trees and rocks offering natural shade. At the point where the rock meets the sand, a small cave is formed, which got its name from the fact that couples in love found refuge from the public eye.