People of Chalkida (or “Halkida”) on the Greek island of Evia have a plenitude of reasons to be proud of their historic and beautiful city. But if there’s one thing that stands out among all its other qualities, it would have to be its tides, which are unique in the world.
The sea currents in the famous Evripus Channel, the narrow strait of water separating Chalkida from the mainland of Greece, move in a northerly direction for six hours at a time.
Immediately afterward follows a period of approximately eight minutes when the waters remain stationary, similar to a “neap tide” which is part of the normal tidal cycle in the world’s oceans.
After the complete stillness of those eight minutes, the waters change their orientation again, reversing direction, flowing toward the south for another six hours.
This eternal process had no beginning and will have no end. It happens four times each and every day (for the most part — more on that later) and has provoked the admiration and interest of humans from ancient times.