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Andros, the island

History

Its history is not well - known. The excavations findings stretch back to the Mycenean times (1500 - 1100 B.C.). According to mythology the island took its name after a man called Andros who came from Crete. His origin was divine. Other names are : Hedrousa, Epagris, Nonagria. All of them testify to the rich vegetation of Andros which contributed to the development of the Island. Andros was settled by Ions in 1000 B.C.. It flourished during the Geometric times (900 - 700 B.C). Zagora, one of its times, which thrived ( 8^th cent B.C) colonised Stagira, the home town of Aristotle. During the Persian Wars, Andros was occupied by Persans. After the War, it entered the Athenian Alliance paying high taxes. This was the reason why the inhabitants of Andros supported Spartans during the Peloponnesian War. In the Middle - Ages it floorished again. Its acme went on. The neoplatonic philosopher Proklos used to teach on the island, while Michael Psellos founded an Academy of Philosophy. In spite of the piratic raids, the economical and commercial development was big (11^th and 12^th centuries B.C.). It was then that Andros became the hereditary feud of Venetians who built many towers and castles. In 1537 it was plundered by Hiredin Barbarossa. The Turks occupied it until 1821 when, the priest and fighter. Theofilus Katris declared the war of Independence.In 1943 the island was bombed by the Germans for two days.

The capital of the island, Andros or Chora, has got impressive buildings, houses of cycladic architecture, narrow streets with arcs and memorial remnants of its historical past. A marmbed pedestrian zone, two squares and the Post office are in the centre. The romantic square of Theofilus Kairis has got picturesque cafes whose terraces overlook the beach.

The sights are:

• The castle, it is one of the most important monuments of Chora. It was built by Marinus Dandolus. The castle with its towers, the loopholes and the blazons of the Venetians used to be well - preserved until 1943 when it was destroyed by the bombing. The inner castle still keeps. Its stony arced bridge that used to link the fort with the peninsula where the mediaeval town had been built.

• The church of Panagia Patiani is found within the castle. Other significant churches are those of St George and Panagia Odigitria.

• The Ebeirikeio old peoples home and the Vaval Gymnasium.

It is 31 km to the west of Chora. The inhabitants are747.

The sights are :

• The impressive tower of St Peter - a fire storeyed circular tower. The root is domed. The height is 20 m. Some byzantine and mediaeval extension has been taken place in the initial buildings.
• A beautiful sandy beach in Kato Fello, where marble was quarried in the ancient times.

It is 27 km away from Chora with apopulation of 776 . In the summer it is full of Greeks and foreigners.

The sights are:

• The monastery of the Spring of Life (14^th cent).
• The elevation is 320 m and the visitor get an excellent view. Significant manuscripts, sigils, codexes and other relics are kept there.
• The mountainous village of Arnas ( 5 km E ).

Mesaria

It is one of the most beautiful inland villages in Andros. It is 5 km to the southwest of the capital. During the Byzantine times is used to be the center of the island since it was remote, not affected by the piratic raids. The inhabitants are 896.

The sights are:

• The church of the Archangel. It was founded in the 12^th cent. ( during the reign of Manouel Komnenos ), it was renovated in the 18^th cent.
• We can also visit the villages of Menites, Lamyra, Strapouries - where the vegetation is rich.

• The cave of “Chaos” in Aladino, the byzantine church of Archangel Michael in Melida, and the Monastery of the Virgin (Panagia) in Fallika. The monastery is built on the mountain side of Gerakones and looks like a castles it was founded in the 10^th cent by the emperor Nikeforos Fokas. The icon of the Virgin is kept in the main church.

• The byzantine church of the Assumption in Mesathouri village ( 12/13^th cent. ).

Ormos Korthiou

A picturesque coastal village (594 inhabitants ) with a big sandy beach and nice houses. It is 24 km away from Chora.

The sights are:

• The folklore exhibition.
• The byzantine church of St Panteleimon.
• The church of St Antonius in Vouni and the remnants of Palaekastro ( Old Castle ).
• The Villages of Piso Merias whose architecture is impressive.

Palaeopolis

A coastal community, 16 km to the west of Andrus. The inhabitants are 164. It has been built on the site of Ancient Andros.

The sights are:

• The remnants of the ancient town. The excavations of 1956 revealed remnants of the ancient Market, temples, walls, arcades, sculptures, pots and coins. Some of these findings are housed in the Museum of Andros. The statue of Hermes is also exhibited there. The town was at its acme from the Classical times to the 4^th cent A.D.. It was inhabited until the 12^th cent.

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