Styra

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Styra
Στύρα
Location
Styra (Greece)
Styra
Coordinates 38°10′N 24°15′E / 38.167, 24.25Coordinates: 38°10′N 24°15′E / 38.167, 24.25
Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center): 10 m (33 ft)
Government
Country: Greece
Periphery: Central Greece
Prefecture: Euboea
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City Proper
 - Population: 3,346
Codes
Postal: 340 15
Area: 22240
Auto: ΧΑ

Styra (Greek: Στύρα) is a town on the southwestern shore of Euboea, facing the eastern shore of Attica across the Evoikos Gulf. Nowadays it can be reached by ferryboat from the tiny harbor of Aghia Marina, as well as by road from Halkida (ancient Chalkis).

[edit] Historical population

Year Communal population Municipal population
1991 394 3,161

Styra (Nea) is a city located at the South-Western side of Evoia (Euboea). It is nearby the sea and has a small harbour which connects Southern Evoia with Attiki prefecture. Actually there are two cities, Nea Styra (New) and Palaia Styra (Old). In between of Nea Styra and Palaia Styra there was standing the ancient city of Styra, a city that has been referred at Homer's Iliad (Rhapsody B'). Additionally nearby Styra there are ancient structures standing which are 4,500 years old and are constructed using Megalithic Architecture. They are called Drakospita (i.e. Dragon Houses) and have been built using huge one piece stones (monolith). The size of each of this stones is 4.0m length x 2.5m width x 1.5m height which makes it a megalithic monument like the similar ones found in Philippines and in Stonehenge (UK). Nea Styra can be reached nowadays by taking the ferry from Agia Marina harbour cited at N.E. of Athens and today it takes about 40 minutes of travel to go from the one harbour to the other.