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Sikinos Island
This remote
Cycladic island, tucked between Ios and Milos, is one of the
quietest, most secluded Greek Island you could wish to find.
The port
area of Alopronia (sometimes called Skala) is where you will
be staying. The noticeable absence of the usual swarm of
motor-bikes, the scourge of so many a Greek Island, is a
Godsend. Ultra-lazy days pottering between beach
/taverna/hotel can be punctuated by a caique trip to the beach
of Agios Nikolaos.
Undoubtedly,
you will wish to visit the fortress hill village of
Hora/Kastro. Set upon a ridge overlooking the sea, this
charming settlement with 2 tavernas, a post office and
delightful main square is a million miles from mass-market
tourism. A further hour on foot to the west and partly ruined
monastery, formerly a look alike Roman temple which later
metamorphosed into a Christian church, will materialise in the
heat haze.
Walking back
down to Skala from Hora/Kastro can take an hour, but the
magnificent scenery and views are worth it.
Sikinos has
been protected biotope of European Importance in the caves and
in the steep beaches live and found refuge the wild pigeons of
the Aegean, many seabirds and the Mediterranean sea.
Its ecosystem is under protection and the respect of us for
nature, which has chosen this small island as refuge by these
unique species, is demanded.
History:
It lies between Folegandros and los by which it is separated
by a narrow opening of about 3 naval miles in width.
Mythology reports that the king of Limnos Thoasfound refuge to
Sikinos, that was then named Oinoe and after he married with
the Nymph Neis they had Sikinus, their son from whom the
island was finally named.
Hora is one of the most beautiful settlements of the Cyclades.
It has been successively a colony of the Athenians, the
Macedonians, the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Romans, who used
it as a place of exile.
The occupation by the Francs and the subordination of the
island to the Ducha of Naxos. Follow, in the 17th century, the
Turks while in 1770-1774 it is conquered by the Russians.lt
suffers recurring raids by the pirates and follows the rest of
the Cyclades to the revolution of 1821.
It consists of two settlements, Kastro (Castle) and Chorio
(Village).
It has retained its picturesque character with the stone built
mansions and the narrow passages.
>> Cyclades Islands : Amorgos, Anafi,
Andros, Antiparos,
Delos, Folegandros,
Ios, Kea,
Kimolos, Kithnos,
Koufonisia, Milos,
Mykonos, Naxos,
Paros, Santorini,
Serifos, Sifnos,
Sikinos, Syros,
Tinos.
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