 Schinoussa island | This small island (only 15 km2) is located at the far eastern end of the Cyclades, between Amorgos, Iraklia and Koufonissia and belongs to a cluster known as Small Eastern Cyclades. The port of Schinoussa, Mersini and Chora (or Panagia) are the two main hamlets of the island. Schinoussa has approximately 400 inhabitants. Two churches are worth visiting, the Church of Panagia Akathi and the church of Evangelismos Theotokou. The religious festival on August 15th is an occasion for all the inhabitants to share the same table for a meal with red sauce veal and wine. The festival lasts for 2 days. Schinoussa is known for its beautiful beaches and for the quiet and authentic Cycladic local life. When it comes to travel and the Greek islands, guide books rarely agree and quite often have a completely contrary view to our own. Schinoussa however, seems to attract the same plaudits from us all. Charm, unspoilt, even dreamy are just some of the epithets showered on this diminutive island in the eastern Cyclades. The Lilliputian port of Mirsini is the island’s gateway. The principal village, Chora, is only 15 minutes’ walk away. The one main street in the village is home to the usual mix of tavernas (four at the last count), cafes, mini-markets and residential dwellings. From here, various donkey tracks lead to umpteen beaches that vary in consistency from pebble to gritty sand. The nearest of the dozen or so beaches that are worth frequenting is Tsigouri taking about 10 minutes down and 20 minutes back up to Chora, depending on the number of breathers you take! Walkers will relish the paucity of motorised transport on Schinoussa, taking to the tracks and venturing further afield to beaches such as Psili Ammos, Fikio & Bazeou, but be sure to take food and water with you as there are no tavernas in these areas. |
| Schinoussa History | Scinoussa was probably inhabited at least in the 10 century BC. We do not have much knowledge of the island's earliest history because of lack of archaeological evidence. The Venetians owned the island from the 13th to the 16th century, and the island was probably inhabited then. For some time, the monastery of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) on Amorgos owned Schinoussa. During the Turkish rule (16th to 19th century), it served as a pirate nest. |
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