"INSPIRATION" Top 5 Page for this destination Amorgos Island by vago1

Amorgos Island Travel Guide: 73 reviews and 253 photos

Far away, to the east, in the Archipelago rises the islandic ridge of Amorgos..
Although it lies in the middle of the open sea, its shape literally obscures the horizon to the traveller coming from the west on his way to the Eastern Aegean. It is as if the Cyclades look forward to blocking any sailing beyond their boundary, giving the newcomer the impression that the end of the world must be somewhere near about. It is one of the most amazing islands of the greek map, the beautiful Amorgos. Amorgos is the ideal destination for a holiday or a short break.

History of Amorgos

Amorgos was originally inhabited by seafarers from the Asia Minor coast around the 4th millenium B.C. Numerous grave sites (Tholi) and many Cycladic figures attest to the early, middle and late Cycladic periods which the island went through. The largest Cycladic figure, approximately one-meter tall , was found on Amorgos and can be seen on display in the Archaelogical Museum in Athens. The Cycladic period was very prosperous for the island since it was the nearest Cycladic metal center off the Eastern coast. Amorgos has had numerous names throughout its history. It has been called Pagali, Karkisia and Psychia. Its present name drives from the Mourgos plant from which a rare red dye was extracted to colour royal tunics. As numerous as its names are the number of invaders. Amorgos was colonized by Assyrians, Mylesians, Naxians, Samians and Cretans. It was a member of the Delian league during the Hellenistic period when it was under the Athenian control. It consequently passed to the Macedonians, Ptolomes and then to the Romans who used it as a place of exile. The island passed to Venetian rule in the beginning of the 13th century . The Turkish admiral Barbaric conquered the island for the Ottoman Empire in the beginning of the 16th century. Amorgos gained its independence in 1823 and the monastery in Chora founded the first Lyceum in free Greece.

Last visit to Amorgos Island: Aug 2004
Intro Updated Sep 2, 2004
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Reviews (8)

Great Beach Favorites (1)

Aigiali Beach. Clear blue sea. more travel advice

Virgin Mary "Chozoviotissa" Monastery - Amorgos Island

Virgin Mary "Chozoviotissa" Monastery Things to Do (3)

The stone-paved steps that climb on to the Monastery are literally carved out of the rock and have a panoramic view of... more travel advice

Agia Anna Things to Do (3)

Agia Anna is the location exactly beneath the 1000 years old monastery of Virgin Mary "Chozoviotissa". It is obvious at... more travel advice

Chora Things to Do (3)

Chora , the Capital of Amorgos is the most architecturally preserved town of the Cyclades with the tremendous amount of... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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mindcrime Jul 15, 2010 at 8:56 AM

it's my favorite restaurant too!
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zabol Nov 8, 2004 at 7:35 AM

Excellent work vago.The description about Hozoviotissa is very impressive.
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jenniferchin Aug 26, 2004 at 10:44 PM

Very good info here - I LIKE !! :-)