Rupert Brooke on Skyros: The Poet's Grave & Brooke Square
The English poet Rupert Brooke died near Skyros in 1915 and is buried in an olive grove in the island's wild south. The story, his grave at Tris Boukes, and the statue in Brooke Square, Chora.
Last updated 29 June 2026
For an island so far from the front lines, Skyros holds one of the First World War’s quietest, most poignant landmarks: the grave of the English poet Rupert Brooke, buried in an olive grove in the island’s remote south.
In short: The celebrated English poet Rupert Brooke died on 23 April 1915, aged 27, aboard a hospital ship off Skyros while sailing toward Gallipoli, and was buried the same night in an olive grove above Tris Boukes bay in the island’s wild south. A bronze statue raised in Chora in his memory gives its name to Brooke Square, which overlooks Magazia and the Aegean.
Who was Rupert Brooke?
Rupert Brooke was a young English poet celebrated in his lifetime for his idealistic war sonnets, the most famous of which begins, “If I should die, think only this of me…”. In 1915 he was sailing with the Royal Navy toward the Gallipoli campaign. He never reached it: he developed sepsis from an infected insect bite and died on a French hospital ship anchored off Skyros on 23 April 1915, aged 27.
The grave at Tris Boukes
His fellow officers carried him ashore and buried him that same evening in a quiet olive grove above Tris Boukes, a remote bay in the wild south of the island. The grave is a simple marble tomb in a landscape of stone, scrub and sea, the realm of the semi-wild Skyrian horse. Reaching it is a small expedition on rough roads, and the remoteness is precisely what makes it moving. Go prepared, as you would for any trip into the southern wilds.
Brooke Square in Chora
You don’t need to make the journey south to feel Brooke’s presence. In Chora, on a terrace overlooking Magazia and the open sea, stands a striking bronze statue raised in his memory in the early 1930s, the work of the sculptor Michael Tombros. The terrace is known as Brooke Square (Plateia Rupert Brooke), and it is one of the loveliest, most contemplative corners of the village, especially at sunset.
FAQ
How did Rupert Brooke die? Of sepsis from an infected insect bite, aboard a hospital ship off Skyros on 23 April 1915, while sailing toward Gallipoli. He was 27.
Where is Rupert Brooke buried? In an olive grove above Tris Boukes bay, in the remote south of Skyros. The grave is a simple marble tomb reached by rough roads.
Where is Brooke Square? In Chora, on a terrace overlooking Magazia, marked by a bronze statue raised in his memory in the 1930s.
Related: Chora & Culture. Want the island’s history woven into your trip? Plan your trip →