Greek Map

Ikaria Island

HISTORY

According to the mythology, the island took the name of the son of Daedulus, Icarus who fell to sea when his wax wings melted from the heat of the sun. In ancient times, it was known as Dolichni and Enoe [because of the abundand wines (wine = "enos")]. In posterior years it was used as place where political prisoners where exiled. During the ancient times, Ikaria was known as Macris, Dolichni or Icaros and according to Anaximenes the Lampsacian, the Milissians colonized it. It then submitted to the Persians, during the Persian Wars, and when it was liberated it joined the newly formed Athenian Alliance. Its ancient cities were Enoe on the north coast, Thermae at the south-east and Dracano on the homonymous eastern cape. On the West Coast, at present Na, existed the Holy Temple of "Tauropolos" Diana. Its remains are still saved.In BC 133, Ikaria was captured by the Romans and in this period it flourished.In the Byzantine Times, Ene [Dolichni] continued to be the main gorup of houses of the island. Ikaria was place of exile for several members of the Royal family. In 911, Isaacios B' the Angel donated the island to the Venetians, which after a short period of Byzantine dominance was captured by the Genoites. In 1481, when piracy prevailed, the Genoites abandoned Ikaria and the island was free until 1521 when it was conquered by the Turks. During the Greek Revolution (March of 1821) the Ikarians revolted but because of its close vicinity to Turkey it did not play an important role in the fight. Between 1828 and 1830, Ikaria was island of the liberated Greece but according to the protocol of London it was handed back to the Turks. On July the 17th of 1912, the islanders revolted and drove the Turks away from the island. On the 4th of November of the same year, the Ikarians were liberated by the Greek naval fleet. There are 8312 inhabitants on the island.

The capital and port of the island with 2.545 inhabitants. Built on the south-east coasts, on a peaceful slope with panoramic view of the island. The houses are white with no particular architectural features.

Important Sites:

• The metropolis of Agios Nikolas built by sailors.
• The archaeological and folklore collection, which is roofed in the Gymnasium`s building. It exposes clay, wooden and metallic utensils and tools as well as pictures and lithographies.
• The trap-door, under the church of Agios Demetrios, which, according to the tradition leads to a cave. The islanders hid here during the years of the pirates invasions.
• The ruins of the ancient town of Dracanos, in a short distance from Therma, 1km east of Agios Kirykos, where there are the remains of the walls of an Acropolis lie (of the Classic Times).
• The impressive circular tower, built in the Hellenistic period [third BC century], near Therma.
• Therma, with the famous springs which contein radium. The most radioactive ones are these of Artemida [754 Mache, 50.4 'C], Apollonas [557 Mache, 45.4 'C], Mustapha-LiTZa [350 Mache, 43 'C], Kratsa [240 Mache, 46.8 'C] and the spring of Therma the warmest but with the least radioactivity [58.7 'C, 9 Mache]. Ruins of ancient baths have been found in this area. ['C = Celcium degree]

Coastal group of houses, 68 km north-west of Agios Kirykos. It is the only port of the north west area of the island and serves all the villages of the mountain terrain of Raches. Worth visiting is the deserted port of Nas and the ruins of the ancient temple dedicated to "Tauropoulos" Diana. According to the tradition the Naeades inhabited this area.

Built on a fertile plain, 68km north-west of Agios Kirykos. This coastal village with the  726 inhabitants has a artificial lee port and very beautiful beaches.

Important Sites:

• The ruins of Enoe are located in the nearby village of Kampos.
• The Archeological Museum of Kampos -there are statues and sculptured tombstones of the Classic and Hellenistic Age, pots and statuettes of the Archaic, Geomotric and Hellenistic period, statuettes, metallic articles and utensils, inscriptions, species and other findings from ancient Enoe, 2.5 km west of Kampos village.
• The palaces, remains of magnificent Byzantine buildings (of the Byzantine village of Dolichi) of the 11th and 12th BC century, 3 km west of Kampos.
• The Byzantine church of Agia Irene, 11th-century, near the palaces, and Agee Pantes, 17th-century, towards the area of Karavostamou, 5 km eastwards. There are the villages of Messaria westwards, Akamatra, 2.5 km south, Dafni, 4km south, Kosoikia, 5 km south, Steli and Petropoli, stretching in a plush green area with view of the sea.
• The castle of Nikaria, on a height at the area of Kosoikia. It is a byzantine fort of the 10th century.

Karkinagri

At the south end of Nikaria, fishing village with a small port and 351 inhabitants. 

Raches Christou

Mountainous village, 61 km west of Agios Kirykos, with 1238 inhabitants. Amphitheatricaly built in an area covered with pine-trees, oak-trees, fruit-trees and vineyards.

Important Sites :

• The imposing nature of mountainous Ikaria and the villages of the mountain terrain of Raches, Agios Demetrios, Profitis Elias, Brakades.
• Ammoudia, a steep rock high above the village, a real stone balcony. There is a panoramic view of Ikaria and Samos.

Around Islands

Fourni. In the sea area of Samos- Ikaria - Patmos there are three small islands, Fourni (1.469 inhabitants), Thymaina and Agios Menas. There are frequent sailboats from Chryssomilia -village of the island of Fourni- to Thymaina.

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