ANDROS
(Area 373 sq. km., distance from Piraus 89 nautical miles,
distance from Rafina 36 nautical miles).
Andros, the most northerly island in the Cyclades and the
second-latest in the group, is also among the most beautiful.
Successive ranges of mountains with steep sides, separated by
gorges, riverbeds and three large valleys planted with olive
trees, figs, oranges, lemons and vines through which run
numerous streams go to make this a landscape which often goes
beyond what we think of as typically 'Cycladic'. The mountains
end as rocky cliffs or steep promontories, while at the mouths
of the valleys are sandy beaches. In the southeast is Andros or
Hora, the capital of the island and its second most important
harbour. This is a most attractive town, with neo-classical
mansions side-by-side with Cycladic houses, steep and narrow
alleys lined with arcades, fine churches and two pretty squares
in the centre of a town which will make a lasting impression.
Among the most important monuments of Hora are the castle, now
ruined, and the church of Our Lady 'Palatiani' within its walls.
On the cultural side, there is an Archaeological Museum with
finds from the Geometric; Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and
Byzantine periods, a Museum of Modern Art with works by the
sculptor Michalis Tombros, and a Nautical Museum with a rich
collection of ship models, photographs and ship's instruments.
Andros is home to many of Greece's seamen, and interesting
cultural events take place there all the year round. Gavrio is
the island's principal harbour, on the west side of Andros.
Among the interesting features in the vicinity is the tower of
Agios Petros.
Andros has numerous interesting things to see:
the church of the Archangel at Messaria, the monasteries of
Zoodohos Pigi at Batsi, of St Nicholas at Apikia (which is also
the site of the Sariza mineral spring), of Our Lady
'Panahrantou' at Falika, and the Apano Kastro or 'Tis grias to
Kastro" (Upper Castle) to the north of the village of Kohilos.
Special mention should be made of the ruins of an ancient city
which have survived at Paleopoli. At Zagora, to the south of
Paleopoli, one of the most important Geometric temples to have
been discovered anywhere in Greece has come to light. There are
good swimming beaches at Nimborio, Paraporti, Korthi bay near
Batsi, Gavrio, Vitali and elsewhere. Andros has good tourist
amenities and can easily deal with the steadily increasing
numbers of visitors who choose it for its natural beauties, its
attractive villages, its historical monuments, its superb
beaches and its medicinal springs.
How to get there:
By ferry from Rafina
Infornation: Rafina Port Authority, tel.: 0294/22300.
Useful telephone numbers
Automatic dialling code: 0282.
Police:22300 Port Authority: 22250
Municipal Offices: 22275 Archaeological Museum: 23664 Museum of
Modern Art: 22650.
Things to buy:
Cheese pies ('kaltsounia') almond confectionery ('amygdalota')
preserved fruit.