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Cyclades - Amorgos

General info

Findings prove that it has been inhabited since the Prehistoric Age and flourished during the period of the Cycladic civilization.The three big centers of Antiquity were the cities Arkessini, Minoa and Aeghiali. In the Byzantine period it was set up by the emperor Alexios Komninos the monastery of Panaghia Hozoviotissa.
Amorgos is situated in the most eastern part of Cyclades combining excellently the wild nature and the sea. It is extended in an area of 121 sq.km. and it is in a distance of 138 n.m. (approximately 9 hours) from Piraeus.
The capital Amorgos or Hora is built in a hill sourrounded by mountains all around while there is also a hill decorated with old windmills. At the top of the city Hora there is the rock of the castle while at the bottom they are spread the white houses.
Most of the churches of the island have been built with the characteristic ecclessiastical architecture of Cyclades.
In the central road of Hora there is the Mansion of Gavras, a marvellous aristocratic building of Venetian style of the 16th century where today it is housed the archaeological collection of the island.
In the road leading from Hora towards Vroutsi it is situated the famous since antiquity hydromancy place in the Monastery of St. George Varsamiti.
The Monastery of Panaghia Hozoviotissa is a real adornment of the island, built in a steep cliff 300 m. above the sea. The monastery was renovated by Alexios Komninos in 1088 having 65 cells. In the monastery they are kept ecclessiastical relics and manuscripts.
Katapola, main harbour of the island, is in a distance of 5 km. from Hora. It consists of three settlements: Katapola, Rahidi and Xylokeratidi.
It is worthwhile to visit the church of Panaghia Katapoliani built on the ruins of a church of first-christianity period in bassilica rythm, that was located in the place where the temple of Apollo was.
Right on the upper side of the harbour and along the valley of Sakka it is situated the hill of Mountoulia with the ruins of ancient Minoa – one of the three ancient cities of Amorgos, at the top of the hill.
Aeghiali is the second harbour of Amorgos in a distance of 16 km. from Hora. The port with its quay is built in the southern point of the immense sandy beach.
It consists of three wonderful small villages: Lagada, Tholaria and Potamos, while the port serving it, Ghialos or Ormos, is the place where the visitors are disembarked from the ships.
Lagada is situated in a distance of 4 km. from Ormos and 20 km. from Hora. Narrow small streets with arches connect the far end places of the village with the main road.
It is worthwhile to visit the church of Aghia Triada in a rocky landscape reminding the monastery of Hozoviotissa.
Also it is interesting to visit, in the outdoors of the marvellous Lagada, the monastery of Aghios Theologos near the mountain Krikelo older as of 200 years than the monastery of Hozoviotissa.
The village Tholaria is amphitheatrically built offering a splendid view to Ghialos and Kampos. In the central square of the village it is the church of Aghii Anargyri, while a little beyond the village you can visit the location of acropole with ruins of the ancient wall.

Where to stay

Hotels in the area

Local festivals

The festival of Saint Anargiri on the 1st of July in Tholaria. On the 26th of July the festival of Saint Paraskevi in Kato Meria. On the 15th of August the big festival of Panagia Panochoriani where the day before that wine and food is offered and a celebration with music is held after that. On the 14th of September , the day of the Cross, rice with meat is offered. On the 21st of November in the monastery of Chazoviotisa a big festival.

Beaches

In Saint Anna , in the bay of Aegiali, in Levroso, in Psili Ammos, in Hohlakas, in Halara. From Saint Paulos to the small island Nikouria with a beautiful beach. In the beaches of Kalotaritsa, Mourou, Mauris Mitis, also in Kato Krotiri, Saint Panteleimonas , Martezi, Plakes. Opposite the bay of Kalotaritissa is the small island of Gramvoussa with a fascinating beach.