Description of the attraction
Burdzi is a small peninsula that divides the harbor of Skiathos town on the island of the same name into two parts. Burdzi probably got its name from a fortress located here in the Middle Ages, from which, unfortunately, only ruins have survived to this day.
At the beginning of the 13th century, after the transfer of Constantinople to the hands of the Crusaders, the island of Skiathos passed into the possession of the Genoese brothers of Gizi. They built on a tiny peninsula the Venetian-style Bourdzi fortress with battlements and loopholes, very similar to the fortress of the same name in Nafplion. Lookout towers were located to the left and right of the main gate. Today, it is not possible to establish the real height of the walls from the remaining ruins, but it is assumed that the fortification was sufficiently high and powerful. On the territory of the fortress there was the Church of St. George, probably also built by the Gizi brothers. In this regard, the fortress was also named as the castle of St. George. The main purpose of the fortification was to protect against constant pirate raids. The fortress was destroyed in 1660 when the island was occupied by the army of the Venetian Admiral Morosini.
In 1823, after the liberation of the island from Turkish invaders, the first infirmary began operating on the peninsula. In 1906, an elementary school was built in the center of Burdzi, financed by Andreas Singros. In 1925, a bust of the famous Greek writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, who was born, lived and died on the island of Skiathos, was placed near the entrance to the school.
Today, the picturesque Bourdzi peninsula, covered with a pine forest, with clean and cool air, as well as stunning panoramic views, is a very popular destination among tourists. In the old school, on the initiative of the city authorities, they established an excellent cultural center with a well-equipped conference room and a summer theater that hosts theatrical and musical performances.
