Alkyonides Islands, Island group in Alkyonides Gulf, Greece.
The Alkyonides Islands are a group of small islands and rocky islets in the Alkyonides Gulf, which opens into the western part of the Corinthian Gulf. The group includes islands such as Daskalio, Prasonisi, and Zoodochos Pigi, most of which are uninhabited and sit low on the water.
The islands take their name from the seven daughters of the giant Alcyoneus, who, according to Greek myth, threw themselves into the sea out of grief and were transformed into kingfishers. This story tied the name to the surrounding waters and eventually gave its name to the gulf as well.
The islands gave their name to the Alkyonides Gulf and to the expression "Halcyon Days," which refers to a stretch of mild weather between December and January. Fishermen along this coast still use this term to describe the short window each winter when the sea settles and work becomes easier.
The islands are best reached by boat from the coastal towns along the Corinthian Gulf, and the warmer months offer the most reliable conditions for the crossing. There are no facilities on the islands, so bring everything you need before setting out.
The island of Zoodochos Pigi, whose name means "life-giving spring" in Greek, is home to a small Orthodox monastery that draws occasional pilgrims despite its remote location. This makes it the only island in the group with a permanent structure and a reason for regular human visits.
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