Sifnos Island, Greece

--- More photos --- Sifnos - Kamares Platys Yalos Sifnos - Vathi

  I've never seen such love in the eyes of local people to their country and their culture, I think you'll never feel this in any other country than Greece.

  Sifnos have been revealed in excavations conducted by the British School of Archaeology, as well as the foundations of houses dating to the 8th and 7th century BC. The castle we see today was thus arranged un the 14th century and is architecturally similar to those on Kimolos, Antiparos, Sikinos and Pholegandros, where the houses are built one joined to the other, forming the external enceinte, and parallel with these is a second, internal row of houses. Several of the many churches within the castle have survived (St. Eleousa, Dormition, St. Catherine, St. Demetrius, and Forty Saints). Housed in the Old Catholic church of St. Anthony of Padua is a small archaeological collection. At Seralia, southeast of Kastro, remains of the medieval harbor installations are preserved.

  De Luxe Elies Resort
  Boufounis Studios or   Kamari Hotel
  Petali Hotel or   Rafaletos Apartments
  Simeon Studios

  A short distance to the southeast of Apollonia is the villages of Exambela (2 km), birthplace of the poet Aristomenis Provelengios, Kato Petali, (with the nearby monastery of Chrysostom, built in 1550) and Katavati (3 km). A path leads from here to the hill of Aghios Andreas, on which stands a church of that name, built in 1890. Prehistoric finds discovered in this region confirm its continuous habitation from Mycenaean till Hellenistic times. There are quaint little villages at Platys Yalos (10 km south of Chora) and at Vathy (where there are also potters' workshops). Northeast of Platys Yalos is a ruined Hellenistic tower and, on an eminence above, the monastery of the Virgin of the Mountain. On a spit in the gulf of Faros stands the 17th century monastery of the Virgin Chrysopigi, protectress of the island. The monastery of the Taxiarchs is situated above Vathy and that of Prophet Elijah in the island's interior is the most important Byzantine monument on Siphnos, dating back to the 8th century, according to tradition, and with a 12th century marble iconostasis in its katholikon.

  At Kamares, the island's port, there are potters' workshops. From here one can take a boat trip to the bays of Vathy, Platys Yalos and Faros with their shallow, sparkling waters and sandy shores. There are other beaches suitable for swimming at Kamares, Chrysopigi, Seralia below Kastro and Chersonisos, which is a long way off and can be reached by caique. There is a refueling station for boats at Kamares. Accommodation is available in hotels, of which there are several, pensions and rented rooms.

  GEOGRAPHY
  The fourth isle of the Western Cyclades lies between Seriphos, Kimolos and Antiparos. Seriphos is 74 sq. km in area, has 70 km of coastline and is 76 nautical miles from Piraeus. There is a car and passenger ferry from Piraeus every day, as well as connections with Seriphos, Kimolos and Melos, while during the summer there is a local service with Paros. The island's capital is Apollonia and its population is 2,027. A mountainous island (highest peak Profitis Ilias, 68 m a.s.l.) intersected by small, fertile plains in the bays and along the coast. It also has considerable mineral wealth (schistose rocks, marble, granite and limestone). With its shining white houses, countless churches and lovely landscape, Siphnos is ideal for those seeking a quiet, island atmosphere, as well as for those wishing to combine relaxation with sophistication and company. The island is quite well equipped to cater for tourists and there are regular communications.

  HISTORY
  In ancient times Siphnos was extremely wealthy on account of its gold, copper and silver mines. It was first inhabited by Karians and Phoenicians who called it Akys or Meropia. Later it was called Minoa by the Minoans who settled there. In historical times it was colonized by Ionians and experienced a splendid floruit, as exemplified by the Siphnian Treasury, votive to the god Apollo in his sanctuary at Delphi. Prehistoric remains have been located at Kalamitsi, Aghios Andreas and Aghios Nikitas. Siphnos took part in the Persian Wars and afterwards joined the Athenian League. In Hellenistic and Roman times it followed the same fate as the other Cyclades and in the Byzantine period belonged to the Thema of the Aegean. Between 1207 and 1269 it was subject to the Venetian Duchy of Naxos. It was pillaged by Barbarossa in 1537 but only capitulated to the Turks in 1617, until which date the Gozzadini overlords managed to maintain their dominance. Siphnos played an active role in the 1821 Revolution and was liberated at the same time as the rest of the Cyclades.

  SIGHTS - MONUMENTS
  Apollonia, the island's capital, is built in its hinterland spreading amphitheatrically over three hills. Its narrow streets with whitewashed paving stones are flanked by two-storied, brilliant white Cycladic houses, mansions of old families and churches (Virgin Ouranophora, Saviour, St. Sozon). North of Apollonia is the private convent of the Theologian tou Moungou. In town there is a folklore collection. 1.5 km northeast, at a higher level, is picturesque Artemonas with its windmills on the crest of the hill and a stunning view. North of Artemonas is the Hellenistic tower of Kastanas. A pathway leads from Artemonas, through the olive groves and vineyards; to Kastro (there is also a metalled road from Apollonia, which is less picturesque). Kastro, built on a sheer cliff on the east side of the island overlooking the sea, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Excavations have brought to light some finds from the Early Bronze Age, but mainly of the Geometric, Archaic and Classical eras. This was the island's capital until 1836 when it was transferred to Apollonia. Traces of the ancient acropolis on the northwest slope of the hill.

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