 Andros island | Andros, the most northerly island in the Cyclades and the second-largest in the group, is also among the most beautiful. Successive ranges of mountains with steep sides, separated by gorges, river-beds and three large valleys planted with olive trees, figs, oranges, lemons and vines through which run numerous streams go to make this a landscape which often goes beyond what we think of as typically 'Cycladic'. The main port is at Gavrio, with a regular connection to Rafina, while the ports of Batsi, Hora and Korthi can facilitate fishing and touristic boats. At the western part of Island are the big sandy beaches of the island, easily accesible and developed. Those seeking quiet beaches and rough landscapes should visit the northeastern and southeastern parts. There are many rivers and torrents and plenty of springs. The northwestern part of the island is bushy and somebody can see partidges, hawks or even rarer predatory birds, like eagles, wild pigeons and martins. In Hora area there is the organized beach at Niborio and the marvelous isolated beach at Achla, where you can go by a small boat ("kaiki") as well. You may also try the beaches at Paraporti, Gialia and Piso Gialia. In Batsi you can choose between "Golden Beach", the large well-organized beach by the town, or the exceptional beaches nearby, like Stivari, Agia Marina and Agios Kyprianos. In Gavrio area and further north you have a big choice, isolated or bustling ones. Fellos, at close distance from Gavrio, Zorkos,Vitali and Ateni are just a few waiting for you. In the south, in Korthi area, there is the large beach of the town, Kantouni, the nearby Vintzi and Agia Ekaterini and the more isolated Kalamonari, Bouros, Kremydes. Unforgettable experience will be your visit to "Grias Pidima", an impressive beach very close to Ormos. In Paleopoli swim at the nice beach of the bay, which you will reach by a short walk. Escaping from the villages and the crowded places, discover isolated, sandy or rocky beaches. There is a road to most of them, but others are accessible only through old footpaths or by boat. |
| Andros Historic sites | The tower at Aghios Petros on Andros dates from the Hellenistic period (4th-3rd centuries B.C.) and is one of the best preserved towers in the Cyclades. It is cylindrical, made of local schist, with a diameter of 9.40 m. at the base and a height of almost 20 m. A winding staircase leading to five, at least, storeys, is preserved inside the building. The tower is located at a commanding position over the plain of Gavrion and has a wonderful view to the sea. Around the monument are preserved installations for the extraction of metals (copper) used as late as the beginning of our century. There is evidence, though, of similar activity in antiquity. The tower was evidently used for the control of the surrounding land and the sea. Geometric settlement at Zagora: The Geometric settlement of Zagora lies on a plateau of a steep headland, 160 m. a.s.l. At the end of the 19th century, the then Ephor of Antiquities, Ant. Meliarakis located the site but excavations were carried out much later, in 1960 by the Ephor of Antiquities Nicholas Zapheiropoulos. A more extensive campaign was undertaken by Prof. Alexander Kambitoglou from 1965 until 1972 and revealed a large part of the settlement. Restricted restoration work has been carried out at the site, mainly at the house walls. The finds from the settlement are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Andros. |
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