Tour among the Andros villages

Andros also called "The little England" of the Cyclades because at the beginning of the twentieth century when the island was in its most 'fervent economic period almost all the Greek shipowners resided here', it is not an island like its sisters of the archipelago, is rich in vegetation, waterways and a different architectural aspect.

Andros island is not only sea, beaches and history, it is also very interesting for the multitude of villages scattered throughout the territory that have their own charm.

Let's start with the Remata village which is located just after the Katakilos village in the northwest part of Andros island about six kilometers from the Batsi village. Made up of a few houses and a few small churches, it is the classic inland village of the Cicaldi Islands. A café and a square where the few inhabitants who live mainly from agriculture meet to tell each other old stories and new gossip. The  Remata village, however, is well known and famous for its fantastic waterfalls, the cool streams that run through the area and the lush vegetation. An old restored oil mill is one of the things to visit if you are passing through.

Let's move now to Paleopolis (in Greek means old city) which we find on the west coast near the Batsi village right on the slope of Mount Petalo. It has been of enormous historical importance for over a thousand years as it was the first capital of the Andros island. From the archaeological finds, his birth dates back to the 5th century BC and the statues of Pegasus, Bellerophon and some Kouros, the classic Greek sculptures that are also found on the Naxos island, date back to the 6th century BC. Some ceramic finds instead lead to the Mycenaean era and some ruins of houses that from the shape suggest they belonged to the geometric period. The area of the city still has the ancient fortifications and the main square (the agora) is located to the east near the ancient port now submerged by the sea, as today the Paleopolis village is positioned higher than the first settlement which is was practically swallowed by the Aegean. A small village with a tavern, some cafes and a small but interesting museum with the finds of the excavations carried out (open only on Wednesdays). Reaching the old village is a truly exciting experience. For the more daring, 1039 steps first down and then up (and this is where we want you), takes you to the sea like a real path through time, passing by the beautiful source with its benches still of original stone and among the ancient churches still present to then end up in the pebble beach where you can cool off from the fatigue.

And here we are in the Apika village about twelve kilometers west of the Chora where the famous Sariza mineral spring is located. Behind this spring, legend has it that Pasha San Riza, an inhabitant of the Eubea island, one day lost her fez in a stream and that it was found in the Apoikia village in the source of the area thus giving the name of Sariza. The village is small, it does not offer much apart from its water which is considered curative to fight kidney diseases and more as it is rich in various minerals that are excellent for health. The marble fountain where the water flows was built in 1787 and initially you have different uses ranging from the simple water supply of the premises, to the irrigation of the fields to the washing of the clothes of the families of the village. The supply is always stable, so much so that a factory was built to bottle  and export the miraculous water. It is thought that for some still obscure reason the Sariza source is connected with the Evia island.

We continue with the Stenies village which is located north west of the Chora capital at a distance of about four kilometers. Right on the slopes of the hill, Stenies with its two hundred inhabitants, presents itself with its stone houses with red tiled roofs, narrow streets and many stairways where driving is impossible. It is called the captain's village because most of the residents were boat captains who spent their holidays in this delightful and peaceful village during the summer. Here tourism does not even know what it means, no hotels, no souvenir shops, just a bar where you can meet for a chat or a coffee or a shot of ouzo and perhaps for this reason the Stenies village has managed to preserve that atmosphere of the past. The tower of Bisti-Mouvela, the oldest residence on the island, is worth seeing even if it is now completely abandoned. Built in the thirteenth century on top of the ruins of another Byzantine tower, it has a square shape with three floors and inside storage areas and many rooms communicating with each other by stairs. The entrance was from the cellar and had small windows from which hot oil was thrown during enemy attacks to repel them. On each side of the house, there are retaining walls to support and on the roof is a dovecote. Since 2006 it has been in the possession of the municipality of Andros, which unfortunately does not take care of it and it is a real shame because in this way the history of the island is lost. A trip to the church of Agios Georgios with a beautiful fresco from 1737 is also worthwhile. In the surroundings of the Stenies village there are two lovely beaches, the  Gialia beach and the Piso Gialia beach where you can relax and take a swim.

We pass to the Menites village which is located about five kilometers from the Chora right on Mount Pelato at about two hundred meters above sea level in the area called Mesaria, a fertile valley full of streams and lush vegetation. Famous for its springs, it is a very picturesque village with its cobbled alleys and large plane trees as well as an excellent starting point for trekking lovers, where easily accessible paths lead for example to the imposing Panachrantou Monastery founded in 961 in style Byzantine where few monks still live today. In the church there is the skull of Agios Panteleirnon to which they attribute healing powers and for this reason many faithful gather on the day of the feast dedicated to the saint which is held on July 27th. After the religious ceremony it is customary to visit the homes of the residents (there are about 150 inhabitants) who offer sweets and wine, all accompanied by traditional dances. In the village there are fountains embellished with lion's head decorations from where you can drink the freshest and pure water. The Menites village is very devoted to the God Dionysus and the legend tells that once wine came out of the fountains and for this reason they are called the "springs of Dionysus". Unfortunately or fortunately this is subjective now only water comes out. The typical dessert prepared with a recipe that has been handed down over the centuries is the amygdalota, the typical almond biscuits that are prepared especially on holidays.

And here we are at the Korthi village in the southern part of the Andros islandin the area of Kochilos. In full economic development, it is located in a large bay and is connected to the mainland by a bridge which makes it a perfect oasis of peace. In ancient times the lords of the island built their own fortresses and today there was also the School of Greek Education and the Holy Trinity School still in good condition which collects a precious collection of icons and books. To underline the beautiful Church of Agios Nicolaos built in 1560 with a cruciform shape with a dome and decorated with murals with a carved wooden floor and the churches of Theoskepasti and Agios Giannis which are certainly worth a visit. To the north of the Korthi village we find the Faneromeni Castle about six hundred meters above the sea level which gave birth to the legend of the old woman who betrayed her people by allowing the Turks to conquer the island and who committed suicide out of shame. jumping from the rock in the middle of the sea which is located on the homonymous beach called Tris Gria to Pidima (in Greek the jump of the old woman) in the area of Korthi.

Follows the Aidonia village on the slope of Mount Rachi about 140 meters above sea level about twenty-six kilometers from the Chora. With a population of more or less 100 inhabitants and small in size, it is however worthy of a visit especially for trekking lovers as those who set out to discover an area rich in vegetation, fresh streams (in Aidonia there are even three) and an environment rich in biodiversity with truly breathtaking views. The Aidonia village is picturesque with its castle houses called pirgospita. On August 29th if you are going to be on your holidays in Greece on the island, do not miss the Panagiria, a fantastic opportunity to enter even more into the magical atmosphere of Andros.

We finish with the Ormos Korthiou village which is also located in the southern part of the Andros island about 23 kilometers from the Chora in the mountainous area of Kochilos. It is a very famous village with all the comforts ranging from accommodation such as apartments, hotels or guest houses, typical taverns, the most refined restaurants, bars and cafes. It is also well connected by bus with Gavrio, Batsi la Chora and the villages of the whole area.

As you will have understood what to do in Andros there are many, and unless you have an unlimited holiday time which we wish everyone, we recommend you to see some of the villages that we have illustrated. In reality there would be many others to visit but we leave you the thrill of discovering them for yourself. Have a good exploration!