|
|
|
|
|
Greek Islands
>
Aegean Sea
>
Cyclades islands >
South Cyclades >
Serifos Island
|
Serifos
Island in Greece
|
related
sites
|
 When
seeing Serifos from afar we are impressed by the huge mountainous mass
which makes us think that it's a rock growing in the middle of the sea.
Serifos is
pretty spectacular. With it's many mountains and the old Chora on the hill
behind the port of Livadi, Serifo's Chora is one of the most fantastic
islands of the Cyclades and is correctly characterized as a traditional
settlement. Its restored late Byzantine churches can be discovered,
together with the small archaeological collection in the neo-classical
building of the town-hall and the ruins of the Venetian castle.
The east
district from Chora to Kouta is probably the most beautiful in Serifos,
with its picturesque villages and fishing ports (Koutalas, Ganema, Vagia,
Mega Livadi, Avesalos), its exquisite sandy beaches , and its
interesting sights. |
|
|
|
refreshing the page will bring up more Serifos Island
related sites |
 |
|
|
|
|
Serifos' history |
According to
mythology, when Danae bore Perseus to Zeus, her father shut her inside a
box with the baby and threw them
into the sea. The box reached Serifos and a fisherman gave them refuge.
Politheukis, king of Serifos, fell in love with Danae but she did not
reciprocate his feelings and was supported by her son in this. Politheykis
sent Perseus to kill Medusa, hoping that he would die. Perseus returned
with her head at the sight of which Politheykis and everything else on the
island were petrified.
Serifos
was first inhabited by the Aeolians and had adopted democracy in the 7th
century BC. During the Persian Wars, it took the part of the Greeks. It
was subjugated to Athenians, Macedonians and Ptolemies respectively and
was taken by the Romans in 146 BC. During the Franks rule, it was governed
by many Venetian rulers and its mines enjoyed great acme.
This
defensive settlement is built on a hill by the Serifos port. In the 15th
century this was the see of the Venetian rulers of the island and
specifically of the Picchieli. It still preserves its medieval
fortification. Although Serifos
was ruled by three Venetian families, the Giustigniani, the Ghizi and the
Picchieli, this is the only remnant of them that still exists.
The Turkish domination
marked Serifos, since it was completely at the mercy of pirates. In May of
1821, the flag of revolution was raised on the island, and Serifos was
liberated with the rest of the Cyclades. |
|
|
|
Serifos Island today |
|
| |
Climbing up to Chora the view becomes pure magic,
while
its narrow alleys lead us further up to upper Chora with its picturesque
square. The view embraces the plain and the surrounding sea with its
little islands.
In
Chora, the capital, you can visit the famous church of Theologos, one of
Greece's most important Byzantine monuments, an impressively preserved
church, the Venetian castle, and the Archaeological Museum with its
exhibits from the ancient history of Serifos. You can discover Panagia
(1100 years old), which is in the north of the island with its whitewashed
alleys, and visit the picturesque fishing port Sikamia with its beautiful
nearby beaches. It is also possible to visit the monastery of Taxiarhes.
Distances
in Serifos are short, the roads are good and every ride has its own charm,
with breathtaking views over the Aegean sea and the surrounding islands.
The
beaches, with their golden sand, which are among the best in the Cyclades,
are innumerable, especially in the southern part. The harbour of Livadi is
the area's main tourist center. Its extended beach is shaded by trees
among which little taverns and bars are found.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you like me to assist you with your
holiday choice in the Cyclades Islands,
please
send me an e-mail with
your questions and enquiries. I will
be glad to reply and assist you, wherever I
possibly can. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you like me to assist you with
your holiday choice in Serifos, please
send me an e-mail with your questions and enquiries. I will be glad to reply and
assist you, wherever I possibly can. |
| Win a FREE sailing vacation |
One week sailing cruise for two persons...
more
Buy our Charter Discount Coupons |
| Enjoy considerable discounts from several
charter agencies...
more |
|
|
John
Freely's:
Howard
Bond 's:
J.
Theodore Bent's :
