[BACK TO FOLEGANDROS]

Folegandros

Folegandros is situated in the Southern Cyclades, between Sikinos and Milos. It is a small island and measures 13 km long and 4 km wide.

Its numerous small beaches can be reached by car, by local bus service, by foot or by little fishing boats departing daily from the port. The main road leading from Karavostasi port to Chora and Ano meria is shorter than 10 km. Chora ends on the edge of a cliff, where there is a marvellous 'balcony' over the Aegean sea. The island offers an underwater paradise for scuba divers.

The remoteness of this island, whose cliffs rise 300 meters above the sea, have made it a favorite place for political leaders to exile their opponents. Most recently the Military Hunta of 1967-74 used it.

The road from the tiny port to the Chora takes about 45 minutes to walk, although there is also an hourly bus. The Chora was built inside the defensive walls of a Venetian fortress, 230 meters (755 feet) above sea level, and most of the villagers still live inside the walls. A further 100 meters above the town stand the ruins of a 13th century Venetian fortress.

The cave of Chrisospilia is well worth a visit but can only be approached by sea or down a path, which is not suitable for any, but the most experienced. It is one of the finest caves in the Cyclades.

The only other village on the island is Ano Meria. There are, however, a number of sheltered beaches, which can be easily reached by bus and then a walk down.

The Hora or Folegandros, which is consists of two settlements, is situated above the harbour at Karavostassis. In the old part of town, in the area of the kastro, the outside walls of the houses form a fortifying wall, as is the case on many cycladic islands. The most significant site in Hora is the castle, built in 1212 by Markos Sanoudos in the architectural style of the castles in Sifnos and Antiparos. Other sights are, the beautiful church of Panagia and the churches of Eleoussa, Pandanassa and Agia Sofia, all built within the castle. Near the location of Paleokastro is Chrissospilia. It is a stalactite cave, the use of which is not known yet. In the cave, which is protected by the Archaeological Service, smashed pots, shells, and human bones were found. The town of Ano Mera, located a few kilometers north of Hora, is the second largest community on the island. Three windmills are in evidence on the road from Hora.

The more recent settlement is equally attractive, with its narrow little alleyways, low stonewalls, courtyards, wooden balconies and Aegean-style churches. The finest church on the island that of the Panagia, was built on part of the wall of the ancient town.

Slightly further lies Chryssospilia, which has some magnificent stalactites, stalagmites and relics from antiquity, and the area of Ano Meria, comprising a number of small hamlets, where the colorful feast of Agios Panteleimon is celebrated on 27th July. There is an Ecology and Folk Museum in Ano Meria, which contains exhibits and scenes reconstructed from the traditional peasant way of life on the island.

Excellent beaches for swimming are to be found at Karavostassis, Livadi and Agios Georgios Bay in Ano.

Since the early 1980s tourists have been coming in increasing numbers to Folegandros. Many of the inhabitants earn a living from fishing and agriculture as they do from tourism.
 

<click to go back>