Andros

The island of Andros is located in close proximity to the island of Tinos and is one of the closest Greek islands to Athens, from which it is only an hour and a half away. It is the northernmost island of the Cyclades and the second largest after Naxos. It is purely mountainous (the highest peak is Profitis Ilias with its 997 m), with wide valleys covered with olive and citrus groves. Water is abundant and there are natural springs in every corner of the island, the most important of which is the Sariza spring.

Very attractive, with traditional and very picturesque towns, it has a fortified capital, with Venetian and Cycladic architecture, narrow stone alleys, arcades and brightly colored flowers, a real gem. Some of the localities of the island develop along the slopes of the mountain, among trees and water sources and are characterized by stone buildings; others are built amphitheatrically and close to the sea, according to the traditional Cycladic architecture.

Another aspect that characterizes the island are its traditional dishes, such as desserts and cakes. Famous is the “Amigdalota”, an almond cake, similar to marzipan, and the"Kaltsounia”, sweet cakes. Typical is also the production of cheese, produced by the housewives, whose quality is exceptional.

According to mythology, the island takes its name from the nephew of Apollo, Andros.

Archaeological excavations show that Andros was inhabited during the Mycenaean period and even earlier. When the Ionians came to the island around 1000 a. C., the island became increasingly prosperous. It became a major sea power, established colonies in Chalkidiki, Thrace and Asia Minor, and minted its own coins. After the Persian Wars he fell out with the Athenians but later became a member of the First and Second Athenian Leagues.

In 200 BC. C. the Romans attacked the island forcing all the inhabitants to flee and settle in Delius, in Attica, and later they handed over the island to Attalus, king of Pergamum. The Venetians took Andros in 1207 and ruled it until 1556, when the island was conquered by the Turks. At the beginning of the 19th century, Theofilos Kairis declared the War of Independence, thus marking the beginning of the recent history of the island during which Andros reached the peak of its economic prosperity, thanks also to its ships.

The houses on theisland of Andros can be divided into 4 categories: old rural houses, tower-houses, villas and new houses. The old rural houses they have a flat roof covered with ceramic tiles; the tower houses, very well preserved, have one to three floors, massive walls and were built in this way to protect the inhabitants from pirates and atmospheric agents such as strong winds; the beautiful ones villas instead they were built during the Turkish domination; the recently built houses have a square shape, ceramic tiled roofs and large windows overlooking the sea.

Water mills, water springs, fountains are other elements of the architecture of Andros. Walls, doors and windows are painted in different colors and this makes the island unique and attractive in architectural style.

The island has a good road network.. Nine buses connect Gavrio to Chora daily. The taxi service remains one of the simplest options for getting around the island. Small boats depart from Batsi to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island.