PSARA TRAVEL GUIDE

PSARA > HISTORY

HISTORY

Psara has been inhabited since the Mycenaean period. Homer first referred to the island as Psyria. Their presence in the Aegean starts in 3000 B.C. In the 5th century B.C. the island played a really important role in maritime communications and transportations between Asia Minor and continental Greece.

On April 10, 1821 they joined the Greek War of Independence, where they took a crucial part as one of the greatest naval powers. A great native naval leader of the time was future Prime Minister of Greece Constantine Kanaris.

The island was invaded on June 21, 1822 by Turkish forces under the command of Ibrahim Pasha. A part of the population managed to flee the island, but those who didn't were either drowned or slaughtered. About 500 residents went inside the little fortress of Paliokastro (Mavri Rahi) so as to defend it as well as themselves. However, they did not manage to survive but they fought bravely for their country’s freedom.