Amorgos

"Deep Blue' s" island. An island of wild beauty and great hospitality. A Cycladic island with wild scenery, rocky, as far as the biggest part of the island is concerned, and quite steep, therefore, different.
The residents (about 2,000) are living in 4 villages: Aegiali, in the northern part of the island, Katapola's port, Chora, the capital, Kato Meria, in the southern part.

Chora is the island' s center, a place everyone has to go through, as long as they want to explore the whole island, since it is located in the middle of the road network.

Going up from Katapola (5 km), Chora comes into view, a mountains' protege; the lofty mountain of Profitis Helias with the homonymous church on its peak and the hill with its ten dilapidated mills.

It is Chora' s privilege that it preserves almost intact the medieval and, especially, the Byzantine physiognomy which is the reason why every new building is completely attuned to the village' s traditional style.

Chora can offer a tourist whatever he might ask for combined with the peacefulness and tranquillity you need to rest and refresh.

You shouldn't miss the sunset from the mills and the domineering Castle in the village' s centre based on which the whole village is built. Every single road or path leads to the Castle as it used to be the dwellers' refuge during the pirates' raids.

You should see the moon rising from Agia Anna' s, the famous beach' s, waters while sitting on a bench at Kalogeriko, a place known as the "Aegean Sea' s balcony" due to its enchanting view that makes you feel what the Deep Blue is all about. The particular spot is noted for the secret dates taking place, which can be easily realised through the thousands of love messages written on the rocks about.

You should visit Panagia Chozoviotissa' s monastery, 1,5 km away on the eastern side of Chora. If you enjoy hiking, starting off from Kalogeriko, within half an hour you will come into view of the monastery, built (actually carved) on the sharp, southern part of Profitis Helias' mountain, and the open sea.

You should swim in the waters of Agia Anna and its small creeks (Syrma, Kabi) and feel like preys of the sea and its dark bottom for a while.

If, while on vacation, you wish to find out more things about the island, you should visit "Gavra' s Tower", where Amorgos' archaeological museum is lodged. There are findings from excavations in ancient Minoa and the hill above Katapola' s port where Minoa' s (king of Crete) country house used to be.

You shouldn't fail to visit Chozoviotissa' s monastery dependency, Varsamiti St George, located 1,5 km south from Chora, towards Kato Meria. St George is renowned through the centuries for its "lalon ydor" (talking water), which miraculously advises and guides anyone asking for the saint' s advice. Not a single local resident has ever done anything without asking the saint first...If you get lucky enough to listen to stories from the elderly, you will definitely be affected and start quivering.

Due to the island' s morphology and wildness, it' s the ideal place for anyone who likes discovering the island' s beauties while walking. Therefore, 6 different routes (covering almost every inch of Amorgos) of cultural interest have been mapped out. One of the most interesting – in terms of scenery' s wildness – is "Palia Strata" which starts off from Chora, goes through Chozoviotissa and ends in Aegiali.

During the summer a lot of big cultural and religious events take place, like fetes and festivals:

June 23, in Klydona with the bonfires in Loza, Chora
June 26, St Paraskevi' s big fete, in Kato MeriaAugust 6, the big fete in Loza, Chora on the occasion of the Transfiguration' s celebration. It is renowned because every single person on the island is there to enjoy himself.August 15, the day of the Assumption, Panagia Epanachoriani in Lagada, a village of the broader area, Aigiali, is celebrating
The cultural club "Symonidis" organises the "Pasteli Celebration" (a local dessert) during the summer (mid-July – mid-August). Its aim is to show how Amorgos' traditional dessert, which is offered at weddings, christenings and celebrations, is made. The cinnamon flavoured ar(r)ack (psimeni raki) flows affluently while traditional music sounds all over the place.

Chora is a beautiful village. It is worthwhile visiting it, not only in the summer but also throughout the whole year. November 21 during the presentation of the Virgin Mary, the monastery is celebrating and it' s your chance to feel devout and, also, see the monastery from its religious side.

During Easter, Chora is renowned for the Holly Week period and "Diakinissimos". On Good Friday, especially, Chora is renowned for the deposition from the cross in the Monastery and the epitaph procession in Chora' s alleys. During the procession young children light thousands of small fires to honour the epitaph. The smoke, the incense, the hymns, the tolling bells, Chora' s surroundings...a devout and melancholy climate, as it befits the day, is created. On Easter Sunday the locals welcome the wonder-working Chozoviotissa' s and St George Varsamiti' s icons. The icons are taken out of the monastery only once a year and are carried about to all of Chora' s and Katapola' s churches. The particular custom exists only in Amorgos. Afterwards, to celebrate the Resurrection and the icons' arriving, in Loza, a traditional feast takes place.

Everything mentioned above is only some of the reasons why visiting Amorgos is worthwhile. One thing is for sure! Your stay on the island will be memorable!

It's the journey that counts...