Andros
Andros
Andros
In the Cyclades, there is a Greek island that really stands out. Mainly because of its nature and morphology, which does not remind of Cyclades.
You don’t often see an island that combines a dry Cycladic landscape and abundant waters. Rich vegetation and rare fauna. Museums, events and neoclassical architecture. Countless beaches and imposing mountain ranges. These geographical and morphological contrasts make it truly special. This island is Andros and according to Andreas Embiricos, Andros is “the island of the dazzling, the queen of the Aegean… the most beautiful island in the world”.
Andros has four central points, but don’t ignore the wonderful settlements with their own history! Its capital is Chora, located in the northeastern part of the island. It is built on a small peninsula that seems to “cut” the sea in two. Its main port is Gavrio, which is the gateway to the island and is built in the cove of the sheltered natural bay on the northwestern side of the island. Ormos Korthiou, or Gyalos, is located in the southern part of Andros, between the mountain ranges formed by Gerakones and Rachi. And Batsi, picturesque and built by the sea, in the east of the island, with a lively nightlife.
The natural beauty of Andros
The nature of Andros will amaze you. It is the Greek island in the Cyclades that is famous for its waters. During the winter months it is flooded by a large number of rivers and streams. The waters flow into numerous waterfalls and springs. This preserves the rich vegetation with its abundant trees, which provides shelter and food for many species of birds and small animals. What you see exudes its own special aura that does not remind you of a classic Greek island in the Cyclades.
The river Achlas originates from Petalo, one of the highest peaks in Cyclades. It flows into the beach of the same name and lasts even in summer. The Arnipotamos flows into the bay of Lefka and the Megalo River from Stavropeda flows into Paraporti. In Andros you will see several waterfalls. The waterfall in Pithara is accessible with a short hike, in Paleopolis the water you will see falls from above.
The largest source is Zeno. The largest volume of the waters of Zenio flows to all sides of the island. Krya Vrysi on the north side of Petalos, Koumoulou spring in Menites are some of the springs scattered all over the island. The Sariza spring in Apikia, with its homonymous table water, is considered to be a thermal spring.
In Andros, trees such as plane trees, willows, poplars, poplars, oaks, pine trees, maples abound. Amongst them, there are schinas, oleanders, fig trees, mulberry trees, mulberry trees, lime trees, reeds, merollias, laurel trees, and toadflaxes. In spring, the wild flowers form an incredible carpet of anemones, orchids and bluebells. The aromas from the gardens and the bushes mingle with the thyme, oregano and create an intoxicating atmosphere.
In Andros, many species of birds find shelter and food. Owls, nightingales, nightjars, partridges, snipe, turtles, cardinals. Rare predators such as the Black-tailed Hawk, a dark-tailed hawk that is one of the most endangered species in Europe. The Black-headed Hawk breeds in the Cyclades on Andros and Skyros. It migrates to winter in Madagascar. Many small animals, badgers, wild rabbits, hedgehogs and hares find shelter in the vegetation. Also many water turtles and frogs.
Island of Culture and Art
And not without reason. Bright spirits who excelled in letters and arts were Andriots, with the poet Andreas Embiricos being the most prominent. A special figure was Theophilos Kairis, one of the greatest Greek intellectuals of the 19th century. As well as Michalis Dertouzos, a professor at the M.I.T. of the United States, considered the ‘father’ of computer science.
If there is one Greek island in the Cyclades that “carries” a long history and “travels” in art and culture, it is Andros. Museums with world-class exhibitions, findings and collections of immense value, the maritime tradition and the imprint of the island’s life in every corner. Archaeological sites of particular value such as for example Strophilas, the “oldest city in Europe” dating back to 4,500 – 3,300 BC.
The Museum of Modern Art houses a collection of works by Greek and foreign artists. At the Kydonieos Foundation, plastic arts meet music, theatre and literature. The Archaeological Museum with important findings from excavations in Andros and the Maritime Museum reveals the history of Andriot shipping. The Museum of Folklore and Christian Art depicts the life of Andros and Christian art. The Kairios Library with almost 3,000 volumes from the collection of Theophilos Kairis. The Archaeological Museum of Paleopolis with the only surviving hymn of honour to Isis in Greece. The Museum of the Olive Tree of Cyclades, a sample of a small life-driven olive oil extraction unit.
With the Andros International Festival, Andros is present with high quality cultural events in the Cyclades. The Gavreotika with a variety of cultural events, the concerts of the Philharmonic and the Choir of the Music Association, make up a friendly Greek island in the Cyclades.
The Panahrantou Monastery is located on the slope of Mount Gerakones, in the area of Fallikas, and is the most beautiful Byzantine monastery of Andros. The Holy Monastery of Agia Marina is located in Apoikia, it dates from 1325 and became widely known for the miracle of the healing of a small child from Cyprus. The Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos is located in Vourkoti and is an imposing complex with excellent architecture and was a branch of the Philiki Etairia. The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi is the largest monastery of Andros, it is located in Batsi and the locals call it “of the Saint” and celebrates on the first Friday after Easter Sunday. The women’s Monastery of Agia Irini is located near Apoikia, it was built in 1780 by 2 monk brothers from Harpachturia Kato Apoikia.
The Invisible Sailor is a monument that dominates the lower end of Chora, in honor of all the sailors who lost their lives at sea, and the Lower Castle right next to it which is connected by a stone arch to Chora. The Castle of Faneromeni or Pano Castle or Grias the Castle (where the famous beach “the old lady’s jump” got its name) was the largest medieval city of Andros and is located to the north of Ormos Korthios, in Kochylos!
Neoclassical buildings, Venetian tower houses, stone-built houses coexist with Aegean houses in a special Greek island in the Cyclades.
Rural houses, towers and captains’ mansions. Buildings such as conakias, fountains, watermills and dovecotes decorated with triangular shapes. One stone on top of the other with the craftsmanship of the local craftsman, the dry stone walls separate the fields on the mountain slopes and at the same time hold the soil (hammasies). On the island there are several stone bridges, made of slate, which were part of the old transport system.
Beaches
Andros has many beaches of excellent quality that satisfy all tastes. Beaches for families, fully organized and easily accessible, but also isolated beaches. Beaches with cold (up to crystal clear) waters and others, much warmer. Beaches with rich sand, but also pebbles and rocks for those who love fishing.
On the western side of Andros are the large sandy beaches of the island, all of them leeward, easily accessible and developed for tourism, as almost all of them have sunbeds and beach bars, while in many of them there are picturesque tavernas.
West Side
On the west side of Andros are the large sandy beaches of the island, all leeward, easily accessible and developed for tourism, as almost all of them have sunbeds and beach bars, while in many of them there are picturesque tavernas.
Piso Limnionas
Located in the northwestern part of the island
Fellos
Located in the northwestern part of the island
Agios Petros
It is located next to the main road leading from Batsi to Gavrio
Xrisi Ammos
It is located next to the main road leading from Batsi to Gavrio
Kipri
It is located on the west side of the island, on the main road leading from Batsi to Gavrio.
Agios Cyprianos
It is located on the west side of the island, on the main road leading from Batsi to Gavrio
Batsi
Located in the homonymous village
Stivari, Anerousa, Agia Marina
They are located on the west side of the island, after Batchi, towards Chora.
Paleopoli
It is located on the west side of the island, at the end of the homonymous village
Chalkolimnionas and Apothikes
They are located right in the centre of the western side of the island, in the area of Stavropeda.
Plaka
It is located on the southwestern side of Andros, on the road to Korthi
East side
On the eastern side of Andros are the best beaches of the island. However, all of them are exposed to the winds and the northeast winds. When there are no winds, however, the visitor has the opportunity to swim in beaches of unique beauty.
Korthi - Milos
It is located in the homonymous settlement of Andros, in the southeastern part of the island
Vintsi
It is located on the southeastern side of the island, in the area of Korthi.
Grias To Pidima
It is located on the southeastern side of the island, in the northern part of Korthi Bay.
Sineti
It is located on the eastern side of the island, between Chora and Korthi
Paraporti
It is located in the east of the island. It is one of the two bays that "embrace" the capital of the island, Chora.
Neimporio
It is located in Chora. It is the second bay that "embraces" the capital of the island.
Gyala (Empros and Piso)
They are located on the eastern side of the island, just after Chora, in the village of Stenies.
Achla
It is located on the eastern side of the island, north of Chora
Vori
It is located in the eastern part of the island, near the village of Arni
Ateni
It is located in the eastern part of the island, relatively close to Batsi
Vitali
It is located on the northeastern side of the island, near the village of the same name.
Zorkos
Located on the northeastern side of the island
