AMORGOS
(Area 134 sq.km. Distance from Pireaus 138 nautical miles).
The oblong shape of the mountainous and barren island of Amorgos
lies on the eastern edge of the Cyclades, almost in the
Dodecanese. In some places, the coastline is steep and rocky,
while elsewhere it forms quiet, shady bays. The ruins to be
found all over the island and the important archaeological finds
discovered there (some of which are in the National
Archaeological Museum, Athens) are testimony to the fact that
Amorgos was inhabited in prehistoric times and was a place of
great importance during the period of the Cycladic civilisation.
In antiquity, there were three flourishing and independent
cities on Amorgos: Minoa, Arkessini and Egiali. At Katapola,
the main harbour of the island today and the location of the
interesting church of Our Lady 'Katapoliani' (built on the site
of a temple of Apollo), traces of ancient Minoa have come to
light. Swimmers will be delighted by the superb beaches to be
found in the vicinity. The whitewashed houses of the capital of
the island, Hora or Amorgos, spread out beneath the Venetian
castle which stands on the peak of the hill. The typical
Cycladic architectural style of the double or 'twin' church is
much in evidence here. The Archaeological Museum has finds from
all over the island and is well worth a visit.
To the
north-east of Hora, at the foot of a rock, is the Byzantine
monastery of Our Lady 'Hozoviotissa', one of the most important
monuments of its kind. The second port of Amorgos, Egiali, is a
pretty village famed for its superb sandy beaches and consisting
of three distinct 'quarters'. It is easier to reach Egiali by
sea than along the poor and steep road linking it to Hora. In
the south of the island, Arkessini stands near the site of the
ancient city of the same name, amid a group of picturesque
whitewashed hamlets. The road network of Amorgos is nearing
completion, and will link up all the villages on the island.
Amorgos has few hotels or rooms to rent. Yet despite the limited
facilities available for visitors, the fine beaches and
particular beauty of the island attract more and more tourists
each year.
How to get there By ferry from Piraeus (to Katapola and Egiali)
Information: Piraeus Port Authority, tel.: 01/422 6000. From
Rafina (to Katapola)
Information: Rafina Port Authority, tel.: 0294/22300.
Useful telephone numbers Automatic dialling code: 0285. Police:
71210 ù Commune Offices: 71257 Port Authority (Katapola): 71259.