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Area' 380 sq. km Population 9,020, Capital:Andros How to get there: By boat from Rafina, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros |
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HISTORY: Little is known of the islands ancient history. It was colonized by the loniairs at the start of the historical era and came.into close contact with Athens and Euboea: Andros énjoyed particular prosperity from the 7th to 4th century BC. Though it was allied with the Persians in 480 BC, it later joined the Áthenian Confederacy Subjugated by the Macedonians during the Hellenistic era, it was later captured by the Romans who ceded it to Attalos of Pergamon. In Byzantine times it was a center for silk production and suffered constant pirate raids. Becoming part of the Duchy of Naxos in 1207, it was governed by Marino Dandolo. The Turks occupied the island in 1566, and in 1821 its population rose in rebellion led by Theofilos Kairis. SIGHTSEEING: The capital, in the same location as the mediaeval town, is situated on the south-east side of the island. A ruined Venetian castle and an arched bridge spanning the old moat still survive. The town boasts an archaeological-naval museum. and a museum of modern art. Its most noteworthy churches are the Panáyia Palatiani and the Panayia Hodigitria. To the south, near the lovely village of Menites are the ruins of mediaeval towers and of the church of the Mádonna of Koumoulas. Messaria was the capital of the island in the l8th and l9th centuries; here one can see the ancestral tower of the Kairis family and the church of the Taxiarchs built by the emperor. Manuél Komninos (1143-1180), which contains a fine l8th century marble icon screen. At Fallika, the monastery of Panachrantos was founded in. 961 by Nikeptioros Phokas. Andros famous Sariza mineral water gushes from springs át Apikia, where there is also. an l8th century monastery (Agios Nikolaos).
The scenery between Korthi and Andros makes. the area one of the most beautiful on the island; it is dotted with picturesque villages and mediaeval towers (Kochylos, Aprovato). At Zagora finds dating from the Geometric period (8th c. BC) have been excavated while the ancient city and acropolis lie below the modern village of Pálaiopolis. The northern part .of Andros, much more sparsely settled has some ruined Venetian towers (Makrotanarï1o, Varidi) and the monastery of Zoodochos Pighi, protectress of the island. There are beaches all around the island some of the better known are at Nimborio, Paraporti, Bátsi, etc. Andros is well furnished with hotels and rooms, particularly in the vicinity of Batsi and the capital. |
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