Editing Hydra (island) (section)

== Transport, tourism and leisure ==
[[File:3-25 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Clocktower of Hydra island]]
Hydra depends on tourism, and Athenians account for a sizable segment of its visitors. High-speed [[hydrofoil]]s and [[catamaran]]s from [[Piraeus]], some {{convert|37|nmi|km}} away, serve Hydra, stopping first at [[Poros]] before going on to [[Spetses]]. There is a passenger ferry service providing an alternative to hydrofoils that operates between Hydra Harbour to Metochi on the Peloponnese coast. Many Athenians drive to Metochi, leave their car in the secure car park, and take the 20-minute passenger ferry across to Hydra.

Rubbish trucks are the only motor vehicles on the island, since by law, cars and motorcycles are not allowed. Horses, mules and donkeys, and water taxis provide public transportation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/09/09/hydra-the-cosmopolitan-greek-island-where-no-cars-are-allowed/ |title=Hydra: The Cosmopolitan Greek Island Where No Cars Are Allowed {{!}} GreekReporter.com|last=Zikakou|first=Ioanna|date=9 September 2014|access-date=15 March 2017}}</ref> The inhabited area, however, is so compact that most people walk everywhere.

In 2007, a ''[[National Geographic Traveler]]'' panel of 522 experts rated Hydra the highest of any Greek island (11th out of 111 islands worldwide), as a unique destination preserving its "integrity of place".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2007/11/destinations-rated/list-text |title=Travel |website=National Geographic |access-date=8 January 2014 |archive-date=8 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108191209/http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2007/11/destinations-rated/list-text |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Captains' mansions ===
The Tsamadou mansion, on the left side as one enters the harbour, is now a Maritime Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hydra.com.gr/culture/merchant-marine/?lang=en |title=Hydra National Merchant Marine Academy |website=hydra.com.gr |access-date=15 March 2017}}</ref> The Tsamados family donated the mansion for the purpose of hosting the Greek Maritime Academy on their island. Another house, originally built for the Tsamados family on the hill overlooking the port was donated to the church to be used as a weaving school and production facility of textiles and carpets. The house now belongs to the [[Colloredo-Mansfeld]] family and became known as the [[Old Carpet Factory]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Loudon |first=Michael |title=Hydra. An Island and Its Architecture |year=2018 |isbn=978-3-85161-194-6 |location=Vienna}}</ref>

The Tombazis mansion is now part of the [[Athens School of Fine Arts]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.grect.com/athens-school-of-fine-arts/presentation-and-facilities |title=Athens School of Fine Arts |work=GRECT |access-date=15 March 2017 |language=en |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315174851/http://www.grect.com/athens-school-of-fine-arts/presentation-and-facilities |url-status=dead}}</ref> owned by University of Athens.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hydraislandgreece.com/portfolio/tombazis-mansion-hydra/ |title=Tombazis Mansion &#124; Hydra's Historic Mansions &#124; Hydra Greece |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022171901/http://www.hydraislandgreece.com/portfolio/tombazis-mansion-hydra/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The mansions of Lazaros and [[Georgios Kountouriotis|George Kountouriotis]], Boudouris, Kriezis, Voulgaris, Sachinis, and Miaoulis all contain collections of 18th-century island furniture. The descendants of Lazarus Kountouriotis donated his mansion to the Historic-Ethnologic Institute of Greece. Today, it operates as an extension branch of the National Museum of History.

=== Monasteries and the Cathedral ===
There are numerous churches and six [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[monasteries]] on the island. Two particularly noteworthy monasteries are Profitis Ilias, founded in the 10th century, and Ayia Efpraxia. Both are on a hill overlooking the main harbour.

The island's cathedral is the old Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin and sits on the quayside in the town. The monastery contains the tomb of [[Lazaros Kountouriotis]], the richest sea captain on Hydra, who gave his entire fortune to support the [[Greek War of Independence]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hydraislandgreece.com/portfolio/cathedral-of-hydra/ |title=Cathedral of Hydra |date=6 November 2010 |work=Inside Hydra Island Greece {{!}} Hydra News & Info from Hydra Locals|access-date=15 March 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=15 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315181950/http://www.hydraislandgreece.com/portfolio/cathedral-of-hydra/|url-status=dead}}</ref>