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Bourtzi Island and Fortress :

This small island and its castle are an enigma to most visitors to Poros. The fortress's round bastions and stone walls make it appear to be of mediaeval date, but in fact it was built in 1827. Austrian General Haydek (Eidek, Ayek) is supposed to have built the fortress to defend the windward approach to the Poros passage into the anchorage.

The fortress had only been built four years when it saw action - but against allies and fellow-Greeks, not against the Turks. As is described elsewhere in the Battle of Poros, Hydran rebels and their Poriote sympathisers, took over the fortress and held it against a Russian force supporting the Capodistrian government. Apparently, they were unsuccessful, the government forces managing to seize Bourtzi Island with the help of Russian naval support and a shore battery opposite on the mainland at Plaka.

The subsequent history of the fortress is unclear, although it may have been garrisoned until the 1870s when the main Hellenic Navy base was moved to Piraeus. Most of the internal buildings are gone, but the outer walls have survived and are still fairly impressive.

The Other Bourtzi Island at Nauplio :

There is another 'Bourtzi Island' with a castle on it in the harbour at Nauplion. It is important not to confuse the two. The word 'Bourtzi' is derived from 'Burgos', its meaning being 'castle' or 'fort', in the same way as 'Chester', which comes from 'castra', Latin for 'castle'. As there are many Chesters in England, it seems that there are many Bourtzis in Greece. The Bourtzi Island at Poros may have been named Aghios Constantinos Island (St. Constantine's Island) before the fort was built.

Getting to Bourtzi Island :

There is no regular boat service to Bourtzi Island but local boatmen may be willing to take charters for groups wishing to visit the fortress. Locals say that the island is infested by snakes (adders ?) so visitors should dress sensibly in strong shoes and wear jeans or trousers. The island is uninhabited and has no water supply, so take plenty of drinking water and keep on good terms with your boatman !

Saga Hotel visitors please note - Takis has acquired a six-seater speedboat for 2008, so he may be able to arrange trips to Bourtzi and Daskalio for you.

Bourtzi Island from Askeli

Bourtzi Island from Hydra Ferry

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