Festivals and Cultural Events
Easter
The Celebration of Easter is the most important religious feast in the Christian calendar. In Greece it is the biggest holiday of the year even more important than Christmas, with week-long celebrations and traditions.
The Greek Orthodox Church plays a large role in the Greek Easter “Paska” or “Pascha” celebrations. Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls one to five weeks after the western (Protestant, Catholic) Easter, while approximately once every four years it falls on the same date.
During the week of Easter, various ceremonies and religious services take place in the churches of the island but the most unique experience is during the Epitaphion, on the Holy Friday night and on Easter Sunday when the icon of Virgin Mary is kept in Hozoviotissa Monastery and is taken out in the streets of Chora for a week before it is back to the monastery.
Feast Day of Agioi Anargyroi
The feast day of Agion Anargyron is celebrated on the 1st of July, in the villages of Tholaria and Aegialis. The preparation for the feast begins several days before the 1st. On the evening of the feast, there is a Great Vespers and a holy prayer are held. On the following day a celebratory Divine Mass is held, followed by a procession of the miraculous holy icon and the holy relics of Agioi Ananrgyroi.
The traditional Amorgian “patatato” and “xydato” are offered free of charge, while on fasting days (Wednesday or Friday). On the evening of the 1st of July, the traditional festival is held on the island.
At the festival there are traditional music and dances.
Feast Day of Agia Paraskevi
On the 26th of July, the Greek Orthodoc Church celebrates Agia Paraskevi, the protector of the eyes. The homonymous church lies in Arkesini and during that day there is plenty of food and wine. It is one of the major celebrations of Amorgos where thousands of pilgrims and visitors arrive.
Agia Paraskevi was born in Rome of Christian parents and was instructed in the Faith of Christ. She endeavoured to fulfil all the commandments of God. When her parents died, she distributed all her property among the poor and became a nun where she preached the Christian Faith with even greater zeal.
She was tortured many times for her faith. Once she was tortured by fire and a red-hot helmet was placed on her head in Rome. She was miraculously saved by the Lord and left Rome after that.
She travelled from city to city converting pagans to the true Faith. She endured more tortures by princes and judges, but the Lord healed her pains and wounds quickly. She was finally beheaded in the year 140 by a certain Prince Tarasius with a sword.
The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments and many with eye conditions consider Agia Paraskevi their patron saint.
August 6th
On August 6th, the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ is celebrated each year. The feast commemorates the transfiguration or metamorphosis of Christ on Mount Tabor when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James and John.
Locals are involved in one of the greatest feasts of Amorgos which takes place in Chora, at Loza square where they celebrate with wine and local music.
The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James, and John with Him up upon a mountain, and while they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became glistening white.
This Feast of our Lord is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is conducted on the day of the feast and preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the feast. Scripture readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration are the following: At Vespers: Exodus 24:12-18, 33:11-23, 34:4-6, 8; I Kings 19:3-9, 11-13, 15-16. At the Orthros (Matins): Luke 9:28-36. At the Divine Liturgy: II Peter 1:10-19; Matthew 17:1-9.
November 21st
On November 21st, Amorgos celebrates the anniversary of Virgin Mary Hozoviotissa Monastery, the saint protector of the island. During this day many local festivities take place in the villages with wine and food, like fish. The monastery receives a great number of pilgrims.
August 15th
On August 15th, there is a big festival in honor of Panagia Panochoriani which the Orthodox Church celebrates. The day begins with the veneration of the Virgin icon and continues with various church fetes: locals and visitors wxperience the reunion, the “togetherness”. Great celebrations take place in the temples and villages squares. Lutes, bagpipes, violins and traditional dances light up the mood.
Plenty of local delicacies are served with the legendary amorgion rakomelo (raki with honey).
Every island is having a celebration on this day.
Psimeni Raki Festival
Psimeni Raki festival is one of the liveliest events in Amorgos. It takes place every summer on 26th of July in Katapola’s main square. Visitors are served raki (the local drink) mixed with honey and traditional food like Pasteli (local sesame seed candy with honey) and Anevates (pie with cheese and Raki). You also have the chance to see how they make raki.
Celebrations continues by welcoming a boat carrying young dances wearing traditional dresses. They are received by local musicians and the dancing starts.
Hiking
If you want to hike in Amorgos, here are the 7 main marked trails (you can combine them and create your own itinerary):
The Old Strata:
Chora – Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa – Kapsala -Asfondilitis – Potamos – Aegiali.
Distance: 14.5km
Duration: between 4 and 5 hours
Difficulty/Level: Hard
Starting Point: Kalogerikos spot in Chora village.
Route:
This is the longest hiking trail on the island with an altitude of around 350-400m above sea level and covering a distance of approximately 50% of the island’s total length.
The starting point is “Kalogerikos” spot, at the edge of the historic village of Chora. From there you pass the magnificent Monastery of Hozoviotissa and continues to Kapsala where you will find the Virgin Mary Theoskepasti and a small Byzantine monastery of St John Chrysostom. There are also old ruins from medieval origins which was used as “hostels” for the army to rest in the old times.
After about 2 hours and 20 minutes of hiking you will reach Asfontilitis, an old agricultural settlement with wells, paintings on rocks and the chapel of Aghios Nikolaos. The path continues to Oxo Meria where you can find the chapel of Aghios Mamas, and finally through Upper Potamos you reach Aegiali bay. The view of the harbour is definitely worth a hiker’s effort!
Practical Information:
You require good walking shoes, as the path can have some loose stones. Water and first aid kid. During the summertime it is necessary to wear a hat and sunscreen.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Elevation profile of the Old Strata – Amorgos
Fotodotis:
Chora – Milies – St Irnini – Katapola (Xilokeratidi)
Distance: 3.5km
Duration: 1hour, unless you walk the opposite way because it is uphill.
Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: The road behind Vorina neighbourhood, in Chora village.
Route:
The starting point is behind Vorina neighbourhood in the northern part of Chora village, where the path follows alongside the deep ravine, Kato Filladi. Following the signs pointing to Katapola, leaving the asphalt road and taking the marked footpath with views of the port appearing in front of you.
The route takes you through Milies and past Agia Irini. The decent is quite easy especially with the old water spring on the way down and an old oak tree offering some shade during summer.
Further down the road hikers meet the chapel of Panagia Fidopotamiani and the chapel of Taxiarchis in the Fonias region before after arriving in Milies. This is an area with rich vegetation and many springs. Then you walk through olive groves of Gialynas before ending in Katapola.
Practical Information:
You will need good walking shoes which protect your ankles as there are loose stones. In the summertime a hat and sunscreen are recommended.
Water, but there are a lot of possibilities for provisions during the walk.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Elevation Profile – Fotodotis Amorgos
Itonia:
Lefkes (Ag. Thekla) – Agioi Saranda – Kamari – Kastri (Ancient Arkesini) – Vroutsi – Rachoula -Arkesini (Tower of Ag. Triada)
Distance: 12.2km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Route:
This route is a cultural journey of 4000 years. It connects the two ancient cities of Minoa and Arkesini. The name of the path refers to the rural feast in honor of Athena Itonia. One of the most impressive parts of the route is the archaelogival site of Minoa, ancient Arkesini (Kastri), Rachoula and Aghia Triada Tower. On the same route you will find canyons, beaches and chapels.
Practical Information:
A bottle of water is required, but there is plenty of provisions on the way. Good hiking shoes supporting your ankles is advised. A hat and sunscreen are required during the summer time.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Elevation of Itonia – Amorgos
Melania:
The port of Aegiali – Langada – Stroumbos – Panagia of Epanochoriani – Tholaria – Fokiotripa (at the end of Aegali beach)
Distance: 7.6km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Aegiali bay
You can also break down the route into smaller sections.
1. Ormos-Langada
About 35 min
2. Langada – Stroumbos – Panagia Epanohoriani – Tholaria
About 1 hour
3. Langada – Stroumbos – Tholaria
About 1 hour
4. Tholaria – Fokiotripa
About 30 min
Route:
This walk has great cultural interests and beautiful views over the bay of Aegiali. The old windmills, the ravine of Araklis and the church of Panagia Epanochorianis can be found in the area of Langada. On the hill of Vigla nearby Tholaria, was the acropolis of ancient Aigiali. Today remains of the wall, statues and tombs of the Early Cycladic and Middle Cycladic period.
Practical Information:
Good hiking boots with ankle support is recommended. A water bottle is advised although there are possibilities for provisions during the walk. A hat and sunscreen are needed during the summertime.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Elevation of Melania – Amorgos
Pan:
Langada – Theologos – Stavros – Krikelos.
Distance:
Duration: about 2h30.
Difficulty: Hard.
Starting point: Langada village – Loza Square, Aegiali
Route:
The path is full of wild beauty and dramatic mountains. It leads to the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos and the chapel of Stavros, above the old bauxite mine.
The “Metallio mine” which is 700 meters below, closed in 1943 and up until then 150 people worked there. The mine aquired new life and several exploratory drills where carried out from 1976 to 1981. Currently the mine is closed and the decent from the chapel of Stavros is quite strenuous and entry through the old installations is dangerous.
The walk ends up at the highest point of Amorgos (821m), Krikelos or Kroukelos, with a beautiful view of the whole island and the blue Aegean Sea. The area is part of Natura 2000.
Practical Information:
It is always advisable to wear hiking boots with ankle support for loose stones. During the summertime a sun hat and sunscreen are recommended.
Enough water and something to eat, as it is a hard-mountainous route far away from any settlement.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Valsamitis:
Katapola – Agios Georgios Valsamitis – Agia Marina – Minoa – Katapola
Distance: 7.4km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Katapola port of Amorgos
Route:
This easy walking route start at Katapola and continues to the monastery of Agios Georgios Valsamitis. During rainy periods a variety of wells are flowing. On the way back you pass near the church of Agia Marina and ends up in Ancient Minoa, on a hill above Katapola.
Today remains of the city walls, stadium, gymnasium and temple of Dionysus. You can also find the remains of the Amorgos people from 4000 BC. During the Cycladic period it was a cemetery and there is a Mycenaean tomb that has a shape of an arc. The walk ends in Katapola at the road loading to the temple of Saint Nicolas.
Practical information:
A bottle of water. Good hiking shoes to protect your ankles from loose stones in the road. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended during the summer months.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Elevation profile of Valsamitis – Amorgos
Evangelistria:
Katapola/Xylokeratidi – Nera – Vigla – Peristeria – Evangelistria
Distance: 3.7km
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Xylokeratidi settlement, Katapola
Route:
The route consists of a circular path passing by the cemetery of Katapola and continues to Nera, an ancient well. It is also famous for its spectacular views it offers to visitors as the entire route overlooks Katapola Port and the surrounding islands.
The route continues to Peristeria, with Vigla on the right, where an important settlement of the Early Cycladic period has been found and ends at the chapel of Evangelistria, a monument dating back from the Byzantine period with special architectural features.
Practical information:
Good hiking boots with ankle support is recommended, due to loose stones on the path. Always wear a hat and sunscreen during the summer months. A bottle of water is needed.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Elevation of Evangelistria – Amorgos
Scuba Diving
Diving in Amorgos became more popular after the movie “The Big Blue” where made by Luc Basson. A few popular diving spots are Nikouria just outside the beach of Agios Pavlos with an underwater cave full of colorful sponges and fishes; the shipwreck of the cargo vessel Marina 3 that wrecked in 1981 at the close island of Skinopi, a few minutes by boat from Amorgos.
There are some diving centres on the island that offer courses for all ages and trips around the wild coastline.
Since 2017 the “The Authentic Big Blue” been held on the island, a free diving tournament in honor to the legendary film “The Big Blue”. The film is a love story about the sea, two unique athletes, an endless competition, the main theme of the film that became a benchmark for the free-diving community worldwide.
Boating
Amorgos’s beauty can be discovered by boat and you can explore places and beaches which can only be reached by boat. The coast with its wild beauty and steep rocks are stunning to see. Snorkelling and swimming in lagoons with turquoise clear water makes it even more enjoyable.
There are several companies that offer boat trips, or you can rent a boat, or you can sail with Amorgos own Express Skopelitis on a day tour around the small Cyclades.
General Rules of sailing in Greece:
Maybe you know rules of sailing but however, when sailing in Greece, you will find yourself among ferry boats, motorboats, sailing yachts, motor sailors, catamarans, flying dolphins and anything that floats and carries people. Therefore, you need to be extra cautious and follow the rules for sailing in Greece religiously. In some areas, it might be special rules so it’s always good to check.
Below some general rules.
- Everyone gives way to vessels constrained by depth or at anchor
- Power gives way to sail
- Sail vs sail: a boat port tack gives way to starboard tack
- Sail vs sail: if on the same tact, the windward boat gives way to leeward boat
- Sail vs sail: gybing or tacking gives way to sailing
- Power vs Power (at an angle): give way to starboard
- Power vs Power (head on): turn to starboard, passport to port
- Overtaking: boat overtaking gives way
