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| Map of Folegandros |
Folegandros
is the 19th bigger island
of Cyclades, with
32,384km2 and 765 inhabitants. It's located between Milos(15
miles) and Sikinos. It also called Polukandros.
The sheer
cliffs of Folegandros rise 300m from the sea in places and until the early 1980s
they were as effective a deterrent to tourists as they had historically been to
pirates. Folegandros was used now and then as an island of political exile from
Roman times right up until 1969, and life in the high, barren interior was only
eased in 1974 by the arrival of electricity and the subsequent construction of
a road running from the harbor to Hora(capital) and beyond. Development has
been given further impetus by the recent increase in tourism and the ensuing
commercialization. The island is becoming so trendy that Greek journalists
speak of a new Mykonos in the making, a fact
that is reflected in its swish jewellery and clothes shops. Yet away from
showcase Hora and the beaches, the countryside remains mostly pristine. Donkeys
are also still very much in evidence,
since the terrain on much of the island is too steep for vehicles.
The
island's real character and appeal are rooted in the spectacular Hora, the
capital of Folegandros, perched on a cliff-edge plateau, a steep 3km from the
port. Locals and foreigners mingle at the cafes and taverns under the trees of
the five adjacent squares, passing the time undisturbed by traffic, which is
banned from the village center. Towards the northern cliff-edge and entered
through two arcades, the defensive core if the medieval castle (Kastro)
neighborhood is marked by ranks of two-storey residential houses, with almost
identical stairways and slightly recessed doors.
West of
Hora, a paved road threads its way along the spine of the island towards
sprawling Ano Meria. In the middle of the settlement stands the large church of Agios Georgios.
Beaches
Katergo
The
beach Katergo
regarded as the most
beautiful beach of the island. Located
in the southeastern part of the island,
in a completely
uninhabited area and opposite the island of Pelagia. In the old days the locals come here to obtain
a ferrous ore called
"hematite", from which
they made a red paint to paint their ships
and some parts of their homes.
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| Katergo |
It
is a
long beach
with fine white pebbles
and crystal clear deep blue waters attracts
many visitors, although it is relatively inaccessible. A very large rock
a few meters into the sea creates a beautiful spectacle and draws many swimmers who
swim in here to take a dip.
Aggali
The
beautiful sandy beach Aggali
located in the picturesque bay of Vathi, southwest of Folegandros, in front of the
homonymous settlement situated
approximately 4 kilometers
west of the town, at the center of the western coast of the island. Seen by visitors
as one of the most beautiful
beaches of Folegandros. The beach
has fine sand and the sea deepens rapidly.
Livadaki
The small beach is located north of Livadaki
Aggali in a
well-protected cove, from which
it appears and the top of the Lighthouse Aspropounta. The area is uninhabited.
The beach is protected from almost all winds, has crystal clear waters, white pebbles and is always quiet, except for the time that stops the boat that makes the round of the island.
The beach is protected from almost all winds, has crystal clear waters, white pebbles and is always quiet, except for the time that stops the boat that makes the round of the island.
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| Livadaki |
Agios Georgios
The
wide beach of Agios Georgios, located
on the northern coast of the
island, the northernmost point,
in the depth of a bay. It is exposed to the north
wind. The area is uninhabited and the beach is fairly deserted. The
beach is sandy with pebbles and the water is crystal. There are also a few trees that offer shade
to visitors.
Agios Nikolaos
The
beach of Agios Nikolaos is located to the
southwest side of Folegandros. The beach has fine sand, small pebbles and clear
water. At a distance of 100 meters and a small hill there
is a tavern.
Near the beach there
are several trees that offer
shade to bathers. In this deserted
beach nudism is allowed.
Other Beaches
Fyra,
Galifos, Ampeli, Dendro, Varsamo, Aulaki, Lygaria, Syllaka, Serfiwtiko, Vorina,
Pountaki, Vincenzo, Latinaki, Hohlidia, Vardia.
Sights
Castle
A medieval
village , the castle as it is called, is the old part of town. Located on the
north side of the island , built on the edge of the cliff at a height of 210 meters . Admirable
is the very good condition of the houses though are over ten centuries old.
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| Castle (Kastro) |
Chrysospilia
Chrysospilia is a spectacular natural monument.
Located in the northeastern part of the
island, ten meters above sea level. Inside the cave found
remains of human skeletons, broken pottery and a
Roman water tank. In the 4th
century BC century was a place of worship and
where they were coming of age ceremonies.
Secure access to the
cave from the sea only in good weather.
The
Lighthouse Aspropounta
The
Lighthouse Aspropounta is a
building of 1919. Located at a height of 58 meters above the sea and
its traffic light has a height of 11 meters.
The boats were able to see light at a distance
of 17 nautical miles
The
Church of the Assumption
It is the most important church
of the island. Built on the rock at the ancient temple dominates the town.
Those who visit him are impressed by the ancient inscriptions inside and outside of the church and the foundations of ancient statues. The temple's architecture is unique.
Transportation
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| Chora by night |
By ferry:
Ferries dock at Karavostasi.
Destinations:
Amorgos(1-2 weekly, 2-4 hr), Anafi(2-4 weekly, 4hr), Ios(4-8 weekly, 1hr),
Kea/Lavrio(1 weekly, 10hr), Kythnos(3 weekly, 9hr), Milos(3-5 weekly, 2hr
30min), Mykonos(1-2 weekly, 4hr), Naxos(3-6 weekly, 1-2hr), Paros(2-4 weekly,
1hr), Pireas(2-6 weekly, 3hr 30min-9hr), Santorini(3-5 weekly, 3hr),
Serifos(1-2 weekly, 2-3hr), Sifnos(1-3 weekly, 1hr 30min), Sikinos(3-5 weekly,
40min), Syros(3-4 weekly, 3hr)
Getting Around
By bus:
There are hourly buses daily in summer from Karavostasi to Hora, from where
further buses run to Ano Meria(6 daily, 30min) or Angali beach(4 daily, 30min).
Useful Numbers
Municipality of Folegandros: 22860 41285
Medical Center: 22860 41222
Pharmacy:
22860 41540
Port
Authorities: 22860 41530
Police
Station: 22860 41249
Taxi:
6944693957
KTEL:
6944906158
Post
Office: 22860 41299
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| Folegandros |
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