KASTRO
SKIATHOS, GREECE
Image Number 437
Skiathos is a small Greek island in the northwest Aegean Sea. Skiathos is the westernmost island in the Northern Sporades group. In the 14th century the inhabitants moved the capital to Kastro (the Greek word for castle), located on a high rock at the northernmost part of the island. It is separated from the mainland by a drawbridge. After the War of Independence and demise of piracy in the Aegean, Kastro became less important as a strategic location. In the 1830s, the island's capital was moved backto the original site — where it remains. Today, theruins of Kastro are a tourist attraction. It is said to be one of the most intact medieval fortress towns in the world.
During the 19th century Skiathos became an important shipbuilding centre due to the pine forests on the island. A small shipwright remains north of Skiathos Town, which still builds traditional Greek fishing boats.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/100th of a second and aperture F10. 150mm Schneider Kreuznach lens with leaf shutter. The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.