Russian Bay

On the north coast, a sheltered inlet holds the remains of the Russian naval station that operated at Poros in the nineteenth century — stone arcades and storehouse walls, roofless now, standing among the pines a few metres from the water. Locals still call the whole bay Russian Bay, and there is a small beach and a beach bar in front of it.

The ruins are the reason to come. The arches give a run of repeating openings to shoot through, the stone is warm against the green of the pines, and the shallow water in front puts light back into the shade. It is the one spot on the island that offers architecture without a town around it.

The walls are unrestored and unfenced in places, so do not climb on them and watch your footing among the stones. It is about fifteen minutes from Poros town by road, or a short boat hop; the bay is shallow and calm, and it is the last stop on a session that starts in the lanes and finishes on the water.