Best things to see on the Island of Amorgos
Monastery of Hozoviotissa
The Monastery of Hozoviotissa in Amorgos is the second oldest in Greece built in 1017 and renovated 1088, built by Alexius Comnenus I. It is hanging on a cliff side 300m above sea level, with breathtaking views of the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea. The monastery was created as an ode to the Grace of Panagia, known as the Virgin Mary, who is also the saint protector of the island. Her icon was believed to have arrived on an unmanned boat from Palestine. The icon is carried around the villages on the island every year.
This monastery symbolizes man’s tribute to the Holy Mother. It is by far the pride of Amorgos, with its pristine walls lined with portraits of monks and other leaders. The monks act as guardians and serves psimeni raki (a local liqueur), loukoumi and glasses with honey.
The building is 40m high and 5m wide and has 8 stories that develop in a larger width utilizing functional wall recesses of rock. The church has labyrinth interior and the cells and various auxiliary rooms forming a set that with resourcefulness and usability meets the needs of the monastic brotherhood.
Treasures and icons are kept in a chapel on a higher level which can be reached through a marble doorway leading to stairs.
Some of the famous treasure that can be viewed in the monastery include the Panagia Portaitissa form the 15th century, work from a Cretan school and Gennadio’s Prayer dating back to 1619.
The view is spectacular from the monastery, especially from the top-most balcony. From there you can see a secluded beach and the endless Aegean Sea beyond. It is a 40min walk down to the beach, or it can be reached by a boat or you could swim from Agia Anna beach which is one of the most accessible beaches on Amorgos.
This Monastery is definitely worth a visit for all tourists as it’s a spiritual haven and you won’t leave without being touched by its divinity.
Tourist information:
Contact Details:
Panagia Chazoviotissa Amorgos, 840 08
Phone: +30 22850 71274
Opening times: 08:30 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 19:00
Dress code: Visitors need to be dressed decently, men must wear trousers and women long skirts.
Location: By car, it is about 1km outside Chora and then you walk up the steps to the Monastery.
By foot from Chora it is about 1.5km around 30 minutes.
Venetian Castle
In 1290 the 13th century Venetian Castle of Hora was built as a watch tower by Ieremias Gizis for the protection of Amorgos Island. It is built on the Kastro rock, at a height of 210 feet, in the village of Hora.
The wall of the fortress has tapered openings being wider on the inside than on the outside which were used to fire on their attackers. The entrance can still be seen with its low gate. The castle has spectacular views of the village. It is a steep climb to get to the castle but it is definitely worth the effort.
Church of Agia Anna
The small church of Agia Anna is built on a rock by the sea. It is built near Agia Anna beach and is famous for its pure traditional style. As this is a very romantic place, many couples come to Amorgos to get married.
The beach owns its name to the eponymous chapel that lies 100m from here. If you dive into the water and swim a few meters into the sea, there is a dramatic drop and it may suddenly be 20m deep.
The church is also part of movie scenes in the “Big Blue” which was made in 1988. The beach of Agia Anna is accessible from Amorgos town (3.5km) using a narrow-asphalted road that is full of sharp turns.
Shipwreck Olympia
The shipwreck of Olympia (previously called “inland”) can be found close to Kalotaritissa Beach. This is one of the most beautiful landmarks on the island. This commercial ship, Olympia, sank in February 1980 due to strong winds. Locals believe that winds reached 10 Beaufort and that led the ship to hit the rocks at the bay of Liverio.
The captain of the ship was trying to shelter from the bad weather conditions, when it hit the rocks. The crew was unharmed and abandoned the ship. The ship at that time was under Cyprus’s flag, due to the ship’s crew being contemporary pirates heading from Cyprus to Greece.
The shipwreck is in many scenes of the movie “The Big Blue” by Luc Basson in 1988. And today it is also a very popular diving spot under tourists.
To visit the shipwreck:
coordinates : 36°47’19.51″N 25°45’26.42″E
google map
Sea Caves
Mouros is one of Amorgos’s most beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters. This is a must-see place because of its impressive sea caves that attract the interest of many locals and tourists.
Mouros is a small pebble beach surrounded by a unique rocky landscape and is about 15km away from Chora. Behind the rock formations that are found on the right side of the beach, there are two underwater caves where visitors use to swim or even wear their masks and dive in its waters to explore what’s underwater.
The interior of the caves is spectacular because of the colours of the turquoise waters, the shadows of the rocks, and the reflection of the sun.
You can visit Mouros Beach and the Caves by car, motorcycle or local bus. There is a parking lot at the top of the beach and from there it is less than 10 minutes’ walk to the beach. Nearby is a small tavern where you can buy fresh seafood and delicacies of Amorgos.
Agios Georgios Valsamitis
The monastery of Agios Georgios Valsamitis is located 3km south of Amorgos town and around 4.5km south of Chora on the route to Kamari and Arkesini. In the 8th century the icon of St George was found here, and the residents decided to build the church there on the same spot. Valsamos or Varsamos (spearmint), containing fragrant and medicinal elements grows in the area. Hence, the name Agios Georgios Valsamitis is used.
In the Byzantine period, the church was transformed into a nunnery, which later became a branch of the convent Chozoviotissa. The monastery was closed in 1757 after the last nun deceased. This nun was buried under the floor of the church.
In 2011, the monastery was reopened and are looked after by a nun called Irini, who takes care of everything. In the church you can find a well. According to the legend, in antiquity, a water oracle and an Apollo Temple were located here. The frescoes in the church are from the 17th century or even earlier.
The chapel is white-washed and has a paved courtyard. It is a three-aisled basilica with an arched roof and a tall bell tower. Next to the church is an old windmill.
Ancient Minoa
The ancient city of Minoa is about 3km away from Katapola. Some ruins from the ancient Minoan tribe were found at Moundoulia Hill. It was one of the most important centres of human life and activity throughout prehistoric times as it was the summer residence of Cretan king Minos.
Archaeological findings and excavation projects suggest a thriving civilization from 10th century BC to the 4th century AD.
There are defensive walls from the Geometric period with its extensions and bastions which surrounded the acropolis, which can be made out. There is a building dedicated to a Gymnasium, which dominates this site. At the peak of the acropolis you can find the foundation of a sanctuary that has been preserved.
A Hellenic Temple can.be found to the left, with smaller buildings around it for worship and an impressive statue is standing in the middle. On the south side of the Gymnasium is the lavatory which is almost intact with its duct cut into the rock.
This ancient city was also a place for worship of the god Serapis. Another remarkable feature is the drainage system and stone aqueducts which can be seen. A Roman reservoir is one of the latest findings in this archaeological site.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum can be found in Chora which is housed in the Gavras Tower. This building dated back to the 16th century and is of Venetian architecture.
In 1963 the Museum opened its doors to the public where you can view finds from three ancient cities of Amorgos (Aegiali, Arkesini and Minoa), dating back from the Archaic period around 6th century BC to the Roman period, 2nd century AD.
Among the important exhibits in the museum is the marble torso male statue found in Tholaria, Aegiali. There is also a female torso which presents the goddess of Artemis. You can also find the Archaeological Collection of Amorgos Emmanuel Ioannidis in this museum. Artifacts include sculptures, ceramics and many other objects dating back from 3000 BC to the 3rd century AD.
In the yard of the Gavras Tower a few exhibits can be found, including funerary columns dating back from the 6th century BC till the early Christian Era. Marble parts of ancient temples, headless statues and relics can also be viewed which was found from excavations all over the island.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Chora 840 08, Greece
Phone: +30 22850 71831
Entrance Fee:
Full: €2
Half: €1
Opening Hours:
Winter (1 November – 31 March). Monday closed
Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 – 15:00
Summer (4 April – 31 October). Monday Closed
Tuesday – Sunday 08:00 – 15:00
Gavras Tower
The Gavras Tower is located in the center of Chora, in Amorgos. It is an impressive 16th century building characterized by its Venetian architecture. Today, this two-storey tower house the Archaeological museum of Amorgos. Inside you will find many unique artefacts on display from various excavated sites from all over Amorgos. Of great interest are the ancient sculptures and inscriptions.
Monastery of Theologos
The Byzantine Church is dedicated to John the Evangelist. It is built on an ancient temple site and was constructed between the 7th and 9th century. The church is a Byzantine Vasiliki dome with a 3-aisled basilica, built in limestone.
It is situated in the north part of Amorgos, about an hour’s walk from Langada. The scenery is quite spectacular.
It is believed that the church was built by a captain who made a promise to the saint to save his ship which was sailing in dangerous seas in the northeast region of Aegiali.
Amorgos Botanical Park
Amorgos Botanical Park is a small botanic garden located in the heart of Katapola, dedicated to the special flora of Amorgos island and the Cyclades. In the garden there is an outdoor café that serves drinks, snacks and local organic produce to visitors. They also have a herbal lab where products with local herbs are produced and several events takes place like music concerts, theatricals, yoga lessons and many more.
Entrance to the Botanical Park is free and they are open from May to October.
Address:
Katapola, 840 08
Phone: +30 2285 074147
Amorgion Winery
The Amorgion Winery can be found in Katapolon. It is a winery-distillery where you can try their drinks and wines and get a guided tour around their facilities where they show you how they make their products and answer all your questions.
Amorgion is the first company in Greece to have created Amorgion rakomelo and psimeni raki in 2003. It was awarded 3 patents and turned rakomelo into a trend both in Greece and abroad.
The Amorgion distillery produces organic wines, Amorgian tequila made with prickly pears, prickly pear honey, organic raki and ouzo. They also make pastelia and loukoumis based on Amorgian recipes.
There is no entrance fee and they ask you kindly to spend 15 Euros per person to get a guided tour.
Opening Times:
Thursday – Thuesday 11:00 – 21:00
Wednesday 09:00 – 21:00
Suggested Duration: < 1 hour
Address: Katapolon – Choras Street, Katapola 84008 Greece
Phone: 22850 71378
Panagia Epanachorianis
Close to Langada is Panagia Epanachoriani, a port-Byzantine church with built-in architectural members from an ancient temple.
Ecclesiastical Museum of Amorgos
The Ecclesiastical Museum is located in Chora, near the Cathedral and contains relics, vestments and remembrances of prominent ecclesiastical figures. It also includes icons, liturgical items, wooden crosses, Gospels and communion cups.
A very important part of the exhibition is the collection of about 50 books of the Episcopal temple, which represent all the Greek publishing houses of Venice from 1588 to 1820.
Opening hours: 08:00 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 19:00
Ancient Aegiali Vigla
Ancient Aegiali is located opposite the village of Tholaria on the hill of Vigla (212m above sea level) with a stunning view of the gorge Mikri Glifada, which leads to Mikiri Vlychada beach. The beach is half an hour’s walk along the footpath.
The Acropolis of the time was in the area of Vigla and the largest sculpture from the Cycladic period was found there. The remains of Roman vaulted tombs have also been found there, as well as trunks of Kouroi from the Archaic period. North of the Acropolis, remains of the Early Cycladic Settlement can be found.
The site was inhabited from the 10th century BC and it was built there for strategic location reasons as it has great views of both sea and land.
Today only a few parts of the wall, carvings in the surrounding cliffs and statues from the Hellenic period remain.
How to get to Ancient Aegiali Vigla?
There is a walking path from Tholaria which takes about 15min. Do not forget to take a bottle of water with you.
Ancient Arkesini
The Ancient city of Arkesini was founded in the 900th century BC. It was inhabited until the Medieval Period until it came under threat of pirates. The place is called Kartri (castle) and has spectacular views of the Aegean and its islands.
The city has significant archaeological values such as the ancient tower of the 400th century, considered to be the best-preserved monument in the Cyclades. There are signs of extensive quarries in the area of antiquity.
During the early cyclical period, fortifications were built, and many relics, inscriptions, sculptures, and ceramics have been found at this time. In the geometric and Roman periods, an Acropolis was built and dedicated to Aphrodite and Athena, and a road of columns. There was an ancient aqueduct and Roman reservoir in the Acropolis, and the walls date from the 4th century BC. The Acropolis was also called “Aspis”.
How to get there?
There is a walking path from Vroutsi which takes about 50min. Bring a bottle of water with you.
Chapel of Agia Triada
The chapel of Agia Triada is located in Langada, which is built in a cave, high on a steep cliff. It was built during the years of piracy and used as an occasional hiding place.
It is only 5minutes walk from Langada which is located in the north of Amorgos. The festival for Agia Triada is held 50 days after the Greek Easter celebrations.
Opening hours: Always open
Tower of Agia Triada
The tower of Agia Triada (the Holy Trinity) was built during the 4th century BC to protect the area from raids. It was also named after a Byzantine church which is nearby.
This rectangular fortress which is of Hellenistic architecture was made out of limestone in irregular coursed masonry. It is one of the largest and best-preserved towers of the Cyclades.
On the site you can also find modern built structures linked to agricultural installations, collection channel systems, a rainwater collection cistern, a built oven, an olive press and a byre.
The tower is known since 1843, although preservation works started in 1993.
