Skopelos carries a longer, denser history than its size suggests, from a mythical founding by sons of Dionysus to Venetian rule, piracy, and a modern identity built on pine forest, plums, and a Hollywood musical.

Ancient Peparithos

In antiquity the island was known as Peparithos, said to have been settled by the brothers Staphylos and Peparithos, sons of Dionysus and Ariadne. A Minoan-era tomb believed to belong to Prince Staphylos was uncovered near the beach that still bears his name, containing weapons and gold objects now held in the archaeological museum of Volos. The island also had a notable wine trade in antiquity, its ancient name attached to a wine still referenced by historians today.

Byzantine and Venetian periods

Skopelos passed through Byzantine rule before the Venetians took control in the medieval period, building the kastro that still dominates Skopelos Town's skyline. Piracy was a persistent threat in these centuries, which explains the fortress-like architecture of several of the island's monasteries, built defensively into the hillsides of Mount Palouki.

The Daponte family and 18th-century life

The 18th century brought the Daponte family to prominence, with Stephanos Daponte rebuilding the Evangelistria Monastery in 1712 after reportedly being saved from execution by a miracle attributed to the Virgin Mary. His son Kaisarios Daponte became a noted poet and monk, and the monastery later played a role in the Greek War of Independence, reportedly raising one of the first Greek flags in 1807.

Skopelos today

Modern Skopelos built its name first on agriculture — plums, almonds, olive oil — and more recently on tourism, accelerated enormously by the 2008 film Mamma Mia!, which used the island's beaches and chapels as its primary filming locations. The island has managed that fame without losing its working character: fishing, farming and small-scale tourism still coexist much as they did before the film.

• Ancient name: Peparithos, linked to a mythical founding by sons of Dionysus
• Minoan-era tomb of Prince Staphylos found near Stafylos beach
• Venetian kastro built above Skopelos Town in the medieval period
• Evangelistria Monastery linked to the 1821 War of Independence
• Modern fame driven by Mamma Mia! (2008)