Amorgos

About this place

Amorgos is the easternmost island of Greece's Cyclades and the closest to the Dodecanese, about 55 km southeast of Naxos in a straight line. With 16 neighbouring islets its municipality covers 126 square kilometres and has about 2,000 residents. The island was one of the first stepping stones by which the Ionians reached the Cyclades. In ancient times it had three independent city-states, and remains of walls, towers and tombs are still scattered across it, the walls of ancient Arkesine being the most notable. It may have been settled by Cretans in early times. The town of Chora sits on a hill in the centre of the island, its white houses gathered beneath a huge rock topped by a medieval castle, with old windmills lined along the ridge above. Towering cliffs drop into dark blue sea along the coast, and below lies the port of Katapola in a deep bay. Visitors arrive by ferry from Piraeus or Naxos, wander Chora's lanes and climb to the castle, and walk the old mountain paths linking the villages. The white Hozoviotissa monastery clings to the eastern cliff and can be seen from outside; the island is quiet and far from the crowds.