Siphnos is municipality of Prefecture Cyclades and
is found in western Cyclades in the middle of triangular Serifos
- Antiparos - Kimolos. The municipality Siphnos was created,
afterwards the force of law Kapodistria, from the conjunction of
Communities Apollonias and Artemonos. It has extent 74km2,
2.087 residents and abstains 75 miles from Piraeus.
For Siphnos the history gives exceptionally interesting information.
It was habitated in the neolithic season from Kares and Palms
and was called “Meropia”. During the years 3200-3000
bc in the island were developed arts and the trade. It knew economic
blossoming because of the mines of gold and silver. Later it was
lived from Minoes for this and was named “Minoa”.
Vessels that found in the regions Castle and Saint Andreou testify
the
effect and of the Mycenean culture. Round 1100 bc, the island
was reached by Iones and then begins the season where was named
golden season of Siphnos, with particular growth of agriculture,
the ceramics
and
the trade.
Later became member of Athenian Alliance. Afterwards came to the
Romen and then followed also Siphnos the fate that they had also
the other
islands. Byzantines, Enetic sovereignty with the Duchy of Naxos,
Barbarosa and his pirates with their pillages and afterwards
the Turks, up to her final release in 1836.
Maintaining the marks that left to the years of her history,
Siphnos is today a beautiful place with traditional settlements,
with white houses with beautiful beaches and hills and on them
unfolded perched her villages.
In Siphnos you will see a lot of windmills and pidgey-houses and
you will read the older newspaper of Cyclades, the “Siphnos” that
was founded in 1880.
Apollonia or Stayri
Apollonia or Stayri is the capital and the commercial center
of island. It has 1.200 residents, it is found in the center of
Siphnos and is built amfitheatric in three hills with characteristic
Cycladitic architecture. The roads are narrow, the houses
are white and the dome of the churches are light blue. It took
her name from the temple of Apollo that existed there the 7th century
eg
In his place exists today the holy Temple of Panagia Oyranoforas.
In the central square is found the Museum of Folklore and Popular
Art. The harbor, arcades, abstain six kilometres.
Artemonas
Artemonas is the second bigger village of Siphnos with 800 residents.
It is found 1.5km north of Apollonias. A village with
a lot of gardens and flowers that in the neoclassical mansions
sometimes entertained the aristocracy of island. Here is found
also the house of poet Yannis Grypari. In the top of hill, from
where the view is panoramic and anyone can see and the other
islands, their Castle, central settlements, until the Kamares,
two windmills which are saved in good condition . Visit the church
of Saint
Georgioy of Afenti that were built the 17th century and it
contains important pictures, as well as the church of natural Mary
of Kogchis. Moreover, they exist churches the Saints Simeon,
Silbestroy, Dimitrios and the Prophet Ilia of Troullakiou,
that are accessible via path that leads to the northern side of
island.
In Artemona exist laboratories of pastry making and laboratory
of pottery.
In near distance are found the villages Saint Loukas and Ano Petali
(1,5km north-westernly) and Kamares (six kilometres Eastern).
Vathi
Vathi is the graphic settlement of potters of Siphnos. It is a calm
and beautiful coastal settlement in the south-western side of island
in closed bight with sandy beach, hung around from olives and garden.
It is found 10km southly-western from Apollonias and 16km
southernly from Kamaron and it has 50 residents. Visit the Iera
Moni Tis Vrisis that was built the 16th century.
Exampela
Exampela is a rural village, 2km southly-eastern from Apollonias
and 8km southly-eastern from Kamaron. With the byway of time
and with the new houses that are built, it is linked with Apollonia.
In the entry of village you can see Arades, the lines of windmills,
from which certain are well-preserved , while other are devastated.
Walk and see the beautiful houses and the churches of village and
visit the holily Abbey of Tap of (17th century).
In Exampela were born the poet Aristomenis Probeleggios
and the chef Nikos Tselementes.
Kamares
Kamares is the bigger coastal village, as well as the harbor of
island from the dues of 19th century. It can be found one hour
on foot from the Wide Seashore, in the north-western side
of island
and 6km from Apollonia. It has beautifully white houses
and graphic churches.
Kastro
The current fortified settlement of Castle was the capital of island
up to the 19th century. It is found 2 km north-easternly of Apollonias,
8 km Easternly of Kamaron and 3 km Easternly of Artemona,
in the place of ancient city of Siphnos that was built in the 6th
century bc. There is a beautiful path that passes sport ween olives
and prickly pears, and leads from the Castle to Artemona. The
castle, that is famous for his beauty, maintains his
medieval fortification structure. It has separate architecture
with two-storied and three-floored homes and mansions with Venice
signs. The
entry becomes from the old entries-gallery, “Lozies” Because
the exterior houses shape and the exterior wall have small windows
and low doors.
Visit the Archaeological Museum (that it includes collection of
ancient and classic sculptures, geometrical and Byzantine ceramic),
the churches of Kastro, the near coastal settlement of Seralia and
see
the departments of mycean walls and the foundations of the citadel
of classic season.
Katabati
Katabati is a village with few residents, built in their foot of
Hill of Prophet Ilia. It is found 3km. southernly of Apollonias
and 9km. north-easternly Kamaron. Visit the churches of village.
Platis Gialos
The Platis Gialos is a psarochori with 70 residents and big tourist
movement. It has one from the bigger beaches of Cyclades. In the
Platis Gialos there arelaboratories of pottery, where you can watch
the way of production of the great sifnos' ceramic. Near the
top of elevation from where the view is majestic, is found the
holily
Abbey of natural Mary of Mountain that was built in 1813. North-easternly
from the Wide Seashore is found the White Tower, where exist ruins
of ancient tower the 500 eg.
In the entry of bight, southly-eastern, is found the islet of Kyprianis
or Kitrianis.The only building is the church of Panagia of Kyprianis.
The landscape in the small island with the olive groves and gardens
is white. Platis Gialos is found
12km. Easternly of Apollonias and 18km. southly-eastern of Kamaron.
Faros(lighthouse)
Faros is found 7km. southly-eastern of Apollonias
and 13km. southly-eastern of Kamaron, is considered the most secure
harbor of the island. Is a quiet fishery-town with 45 residents,
with graphic possessed sundy beaches (Fasoloy, the Faros
and Glyfo). Near Faros is found the Monastery of
Chrysopigis which is built on rock and is linked
with the land with a band of ground. In the western
side of bight are saved the ruins from the installation of boats
that charged mineral
with destination the Lavrion. The lighthouse, that gave his name
in the village, is found in the entry of harbor and near it, it
is the holily Abbey of Cross, from which you can
enjoy
the
majestic view.
Cherronisos
Cherronisos is a small and traditional village with small sandy
beach, in the northern end of island, 15km. north-westernly
of Apollonias and 21km. north Kamaron. There you can enjoy
the beauty of wild nature. Cherronisos has 100 residents and
is famous for its ceramic .
Chrysopigi
Chrysopigi is a beautiful region of island, that is found 10km.
southernly of Apollonias and 16km. southly-eastern of Kamaron],
sport ween Faros and the Platis Gialos. In order to reach
it you can take the street that leads to the Platis Gialos. In
the small peninsula is found the Monastery of Panagias.