#uniquedestinations
In the centre of the Saronic Gulf (Σαρωνικός Κόλπος) in Greece, there is a small island surrounded by mysterious and eerie beauty. It is the island of Metopi (Μετώπη), also known as ΞΧΞ, located between Aegina (Αίγινα) and Agistri (Αγκίστρι). The island from above looks like a sword and a mysterious red lake dominates its one end. The lake looks reminiscent of another planet.
The island is almost flat and surrounded by turquoise waters. Its location creates two channels: the Agistri-Metopi channel with shallow resources and the Aegina-Metopi channel that is deeper and less dangerous. Geologically, this island is the peak of the former isthmus that connected Aegina with Agistri and suffered subsidence.
Metopi is uninhabited and on it, there is only the Chapel of Agios Theodoros (Άγιος Θεόδωρος) and some vineyards. The island is also a common stop for sea turtles, while Kostas Varnalis, the famous Greek poet, referred to it as the “propylaea” of Agistri.
But the mystery on the island arises if you take a closer look at the bottom of the red lake. You will see the initials ΞXΞ. There are many interpretations as to why the letters exist, but the two most prevalent are either that they were written during the production of the well-known Greek film “Aegean SOS” which was shot on the island, or that they are a sign put by one of the hundreds of owners of the island. It is, however, remarkable that they stand out easily from a great distance and height due to their large size and the clarity of their writing.
The odd shape, the red lake and the initials have created a mystery around the island, although it is located in the centre of busy sea road.
Here you could watch an amazing video of the mysterious island by haanity :
*[Photo of Aegina and Saronic Gulf at the top by holdmypixels from Pixabay]
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