Folegandros Island - Cyclades, Greece
Folegandros is a small but very picturesque Greek island of the Aegean Sea. It is part of the southern Cyclades, together with Sikinos, Anafi, Ios and Santorini. The territory of the island is 32 km2 and it has merely about 700 inhabitants (with the tendency for the population to decline even further).
Its three small residential areas, Folegandros (the Chora), Karavostassi and Ano-Meria are linked by a paved road.
Few things are known about Folegandros in ancient times, because of lack of discovered documents and remnants. Its original population were were Dorians. Later the island was occupied by Athenians and conquered in 1207 by the Venetian Marco Sanudo. 300 years of Venetian rule was followed by as much Ottoman one. The Greeks, as well as the other neighbouring Chritian peoples pushed back the Turks in the second half of the 19th century.
The landscape is really variegated, which creates impression of diversity and dynamism. There are sharp cliffs, large caves, valleys, and that indescribable view on the sea. The main town, the chora, is located on the edge of a 200-metre high sheer cliff. In Ano Meria you can visit a small, but unique museum of folklore and ecology (open 10-18 o'clock).
They say Folegandros is still untouched oasis of true Greece - even though it is becoming increasingly popular with both Greek and international tourists.
They call the place "The island of Peace" - laconically and pithily.
It is interesting to observe the terraced gardens and platforms - inhabitants of such small islands or peninsulas have really learnt how to utilize space most rationally and efficiently.
The chora village is a free of traffic zone; the centre consists of three squares in a row, with trees to cast shade on your drink as you stretch and feast your eyes on the marvelous Aegean Sea. The balconies of the whitewashed houses are framed with the colourful hibiscus and bougainvillea. Tranquility is soaked everywhere - even in the hospitable local people.
The church of Panaghia , on the top of a hill, calls for a pleasant walk and the magnificent view of the Chora, the west coast and the sea will burst upon you in all of its splendour.
The village of Ano Meria is sprawled over cultivated fields and "dry-placed" walls and hosts a number of traditional cafés ("kafeneio") and taverns.
The perimeter of the island is 40 km, and most of the beaches are reachable on foot.
As the island is pretty much untouched by civilization (which is its greatest charm in fact!), you can't expect bars and cafes around most of the beaches, so bring along food and drinks!)
The greatest beach, according to people who have been there, is the one at Livadi, where there is a handy camping, about 1 km from Karavostasi.
Roaming around this incredible island is a joy to the senses. The nature, the silent tranquility, the sense of eternity. In springtime and early summer Folegandros is abundant in colourful caper flowers, thyme and oregano.
You can reach the island by one of the ferries, which service the nearby bigger and more frequented islands like Santorini and Milos.
Motorbikes and bicycles are available for rent, but you must remember that there is no bank on Folegandros!
There is a naturist beach at the island, so if you have a flair of this type of fun experience, the island is secure place for you.
The two caves on the island, which, according to the islanders, are interrelated, are called Faraggi and Chryssophilia. They can be visited on foot, but it's much more romantic to go there by boat.
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