HISTORY: Amorgos was first inhabited in prehistoric times. Its growth coincided with the peak of the Cycladic civilization. Figurines remarkable for the harmony of their. proportions have been discovered on the island which is also famous for "the Amorgos chiton" and a red dye produced for export up to the l7th century In antiquity, three autonomous cities existed - Aighiali, Arkesini and Minoa, of which ruins and coins have been found- The island was colonized by lonians and Samians and was a member of the Athenian Confederacy:. In the Hellenistic era it was subdued by both Ptolemies and Romans, later suffering persistent &127; pirate raids during the Byzantine period.

SIGHTSEEING:Apart from the ruins of the three ancient cities, a collection of archaeological finds is housed in an l8th century,mansion in : the Hora. Ruins of Hellenistic towers can.be seen near the villages of Richti, Terlaki, Katapola and Arkesini, and Byzantine monuments are scattered throughout the island. The capital also boasts a l3th century Venetian castle. Worth visiting are the monasteries of Hozoviotissa (11th c.), perched on a rock 300 m. high, and of St. John the Theologian, as well as the churches of the. Panayia Katapoliani and Agios Nikolaos. The island has not yet been fully developed for tourism but is ideal for a quiet holiday. The beaches near Katapola are easily reached by land or by sea, while the others entail a trip by caique.