Skarkos
Skarkos is an early Bronze Age settlement and can be found on the island of Ios. This is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the Aegean and is located a few kilometers away for the port. The settlement is located on a hill in the middle of the west side of the island. This is also the most fertile side of the island.
Evidence was found by archaeologists that showed how societies was organized during the Bronze Age. It was built in a circular shape on a high altitude, so that residents could overlook the port and the sea. The area was excavated, and they found that the settlement covered an area of 1.1 hectares, and around 200-300 people lived there.
Skarkos was built in terraces with stone-paved floors, fenced patios and defensive walls with a height of three to four meters high. The buildings consisted of two-storeys with a courtyard. Evidence also showed that food preparation took place on the ground floor and the living room was on the first floor, where they stored all sorts of good like pottery, figurines, seals, ceramics, tools and animal bones.
Many of the discovered findings can be found in the Archaeological Museum in Chora.
Skarkos prospered during the Bronze Age as it lays at a junction of key trading routes linked between the Cyclades, Mainland Greece, Crete and Asia Minor. Beverages, perfumed oils, and other liquids in pottery were imported by the people of Ios. The also exported goods like tools. Unfortunately, Ios was abandoned around 2300 BC after a possible earthquake.
During 2003-2009 conservation work was carried out to make the site accessible for tourists. And in 2008 the site received the European Union Prize for excellence in cultural heritage conservation.
Panagia Gremiotissa
Panagia Gremiotissa is a small Orthodox church located on top of a cliff in Chora. The name of the church means “Virgin Mary of the Steep Cliff”. The church has a blue dome, white walls and a tall bell tower.
The church is from Byzantine acchitecture and is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and celebrates on the August 15th. The church was built in 1797 AD and there are 3 other churches on the same hill.
To reach the church, head up the alleyway behind Sally’s Rooftop Garden and then proceed upwards by trial and error, along cracked steps and through ancient archways, and eventually you’ll emerge by the top of Hora, next to the Panagia Gremiotissa church, with its superb sunset views. For even better views, climb for a few minutes more to the three small chapels above it.
Windmills
Ios island has 12 traditional windmills. The windmills were used to grind barley and wheat to make bread. The windmills are set in 2 rows on either side of the hill overlooking Chora. Only 3 windmills have been restored today. To get to the windmills, walk east through the village of Chora. Once reached the windmills you will have a great view of the village and the Aegean Sea.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Ios was founded in 1999 and is located on the ground floor of the Town Hall (Amiradakeio Mansion). This beautiful Neoclassical building can be found in Chora. It was founded by the 21st Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and was financed by the Ministry of Aegean and the Ministry of Culture.
The Museum consists of 4 exhibit rooms. The first room is dedicated to the seven appearances of the island during the Early Cycladic era. There you will find artifacts like utensils, tools, figurines and objects like shells.
In the second room you will find developments during the Middle and Late Bronze era. Things in this room includes finds from tombs and cemeteries which was excavated in Skarkos and covers the Early Cycladic settlement. Here you will see mammoths and coccyx cups.
In room 3 and 4 you will see the development of Ios according to Historic Times. Here you can view scultures, pottery items and many more findings in chronological order.
The three operating rooms in the museum consist of Periodic exhibitions, audio-visual, documentation and computerization. In the yard you can also find architectural parts, bases of statues and sarcophagus.
The Museum also hosts events, exhibitions and educational programmes.
Free Admission Days:
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Working Hours:
Winter:
(November 6 – March 31, 2020)
Wednesday – Monday 08:30 – 15:30
Summer:
(April 24 – October 31, 2021)
Wednesday – Monday 08: 30- 15:30
TOP VIEW OF THE MUSEUM
Tomb of Homer
Homer was one of the most famous and greatest Greek poets, that wrote poems like The Odyssey and the Iliad. It is believed that Homer died on the island and his grave can be found in the northern part of the island, near the beach of Plakotos. His grave is one of the biggest tourist attractions on the island. There are many stories of how he died, and no one is sure if he died on the island or not.
They believe he either died of ill health or he was killed by the locals because he couldn’t solve a puzzle. His mother was also from the island, so this could also be a reason why he returned to the island before his dead. It is believed he died between 1100 and 900 BC and his tomb was discovered by Pasch Van Krienen, a government representative during the Russian Naval Brigade.
His tomb can be found 300m walk up a hill to the top. There a small square structure is built with stone and marble, about 1m high. It has a marble plaque that reads “Here the earth covers the sacred head of men and heroes, Homer the divine poet”.
The tomb can be reach by scooter, motorbike or car from the port, making your way to Pano Kambos (a very fertile valley full of vineyards and olive trees) and then to Koulida. From there you take the asphalt road and take the path to the left to go to the Plakoto beach.
Evidence of coins and texts was found by ancient historians Stravon, Pausanias and Herodotus that proof that fact that Homer was buried on Ios island.
A statue of Homer can also be found in the port of Ios, at the bottom of the donkey steps.
Venetian Castle (Palaiokastro)
Palaiokastro is built in the eastern part of the island and means “old castle”. It is around 17km from Chora. It lies on top of a hill at an altitude of 275m. It was originally built to protect the locals from pirate attacks. Today only the ruins are left behind and inside you will find the small church of Panagia Palaiokastritsa. It takes about 15min to reach the castle if you walk from Psathi.
The castle was built in 1397 by the Duke of Naxos, Francesco I Crispo.
Lighthouse
The stone-built lighthouse is located on top of a cliff at the entrance of the port. It has been renovated over the years and can be visited by foot. There is a dirt path that can be followed from Koumpara. It is definitely worth the visit, as you will enjoy a magnificent view from there.
Cathedral Church
The cathedral of Evangelismos can be found in the main square of Ios. Originally it was named Ayios Nikolaos then renamed to Evangelismos. The church has the traditional whitewashed colours with blue domes. The church has beautiful interior and includes several holy icons.
Next to the cathedral you will find a small church called Ayios Ioannis Prodromos. And most of the town’s shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs is situated behind the cathedral.
Agia Aikaterini
Archaeologists believe this old church has been built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Pythian Apollo. Agia Ekaterini has a beautiful interior, and the outside has been whitewashed.
Odysseas Elytis Theatre
The Odysseas Elytis Theatre is an open-air theatre, designed by the architect Peter Haupt who is a professor of architecture at the University of Berlin. The theatre was built in 1997 and are made out of marble and stone. It is also named after the Greek poet Odysseas Elytis.
The theatre can host up to 1100 spectators and the stage has a diameter of 12 meters. The seats are facing south to protect spectators from the summer winds.
Annually concerts are organized by the Municipality of Ios and the local tourist Development Company. In honour of Homer who died on the island, a cultural festival called “Omhpeia” are organized every year. As the theatre is built on a hill, it has breath-taking views of the Aegean.
Aqueduct Agia Theodoti
Agia Thoedoti is a seaside settlement on the island of Ios in the regional unit of Thira, with an altitude of 20 meters. It is 10km Northeast of the capital Chora. The settlement was recognised in 1971 and added to the community of Ios.
Tourist development started since 1980 and every year on the 8th of September the homonymous church of the settlement is celebrated.
Modern Art Museum
The Modern Art Museum of Ios or also known as the Jean Marie Drot Museum hosts paintings and various artworks created by Greek, French, Italian as well as other foreign artists. You can also enjoy the permanent exhinition of folk art items from the islands of the Cyclades.
