Trip To Andros

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Trip to Andros
Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades Islands cluster, the second largest after Naxos and is situated in the heart of the Aegean Sea. The island of Andros is gifted with important sightseeing, which are spread all over the landscape. Hora, the capital, built on a cape, is a beautiful town with a ruin of a medieval castle as well as two interesting museums, the archaeological and the modern art museum. After Gavrio, the main port of the island, the impressive tower of Agios Petros prevails. Batsi, the most popular resort of the island that pulses with traditional Cycladic houses, and a reverent monastery with an incredible view in the next village. Paleopolis, Ormos Korthiou, Messaria, Apikia, are also magnificent settlements that worth a visit. However, Andros not only has beautiful places but also an exciting history.
Beginning with the history, we discover that the name of the island most probably originates from General Andros from Crete, legendary colonizer of the Minoan times. Archeological excavations prove the existence of developed settlements, dating back to Mycenaean times or even earlier. The island becomes historically known during the Geometric period (9th-7th century B.C.), as it is proved by traces of a settlement found in Zagora, at the south-western part of the island. The capital of Andros island, during the classical times, was Paleopoli. The prosperity during that period is shown by the big production of coins and the Hermes of Andros statue. In 7th century B.C. Andros island participated with Chalkideans to the colonization of Chalkidiki and coastal areas of Thrace in northern Greece. Andros, following with the rest Aegean islands the fate of continental Greece, consecutively fell under Roman, Frank and Ottoman occupation. Dating back to 11th century, Byzantine style churches are found around the island, like Taxiarchis in Ipsilou, Melida and Messaria and Kimisi Theotokou. In the 14th c...