Agios Georgios Valsamitis

The Monastery of Hozoviotissa Chora Amorgos Cyclades Amorgos

Theologos

Ship wreck

Sights

Amorgos has several interesting ancient sites, monasteries and churches. The most famous sight on Amorgos is “The hanging Monastery” Hozoviotissa.

In the end of this page you find a map with all the sights, go to map…

The Monastery of Hozoviotissa
		This remarkable monastery is the pride of Amorgos and the second oldest in Greece built in 1017 and renovated 1088. It is literally hanging on the cliff side 300 m above the sea. Hozoviotissa is the home of the famous icon Virgin Mary which every year is carried around to all the villages on the island. On November 21st there is a festival celebrating the saints day with food and sweets offered to visitors made by the residents of Amorgos. They have now reopened the museum which is very interesting and nicely made.

Theologos
		An early Byzantine church a one and half hour’s walk from Langada in the north part of Amorgos. It is built on the site of an ancient temple in beautiful surroundings. Twice a year – May 8th & September 26th are the festivals of Theologos for the name day.

Agia Triada
		The chapel is “hanging on the cliff” only 5 minutes walk from Langada in the north of Amorgos. It was built during the years of piracy and was used as an occasional hiding place for the Aegialis population and overlook the whole valley and bay of Aegiali. The festival for Agia Triada is held 50 days after the Greek Easter celebrations.

Agios Georgios Valsamitis
		This beautiful church is located on the right hand side on the road connecting Chora to Kato Meria, surrounded by dense vegetation. It is one of the first churches built in the traditional Byzantic style. It is built on the site of an ancient temple dedicated according to myths to the god Apollon and also used to be an ancient oracle.

Ancient Minoa
		The Ancient site of Minoa just above Katapola was one of the most important centers of human life and activity on the island throughout prehistoric times. The 5th century BC ruins were originally the summer residence of Cretan king Minos.

Ancient Arkesini
		The tower of Agia Triada is from 4th century BC and is the most important ancient monument on Amorgos. Even though the tower is half ruined it still dominates the plain standing beside the church with the same name. It is built from four large cornered blocks and protected the large rural population and the fertile expanses of the area.

Ancient Aegiali – Vigla
		Vigla was the acropolis of ancient Aegialis and the biggest sculpture of the Cycladic Age was found in this area. The site is situated just next to the village Tholaria in the north of Amorgos.

Kato Lakko
		Kato Lakkos is a medieval cistern, which supplied the population with water and whose initial use corresponded with the first organized habitation of Chora in the early Byzantine era. Today’s arched form was made during the Venetian domination in the 15th century.

Ancient Altar
		The ancient altar is just next to Stroumbos village in the north of Amorgos. This is an early Cycladic site, the remains of an ancient sacrificial site carved out of the rock.

The Archaeological Museum – Chora
		The museum is located in Chora and housed in a traditional old mansion known as Sala tou Gavra (“Hall of Gavras”). The museum contains some interesting pieces excavated on the island including remnants of the Minoan civilisation which existed here more than 4000 years ago. On the ground floor there are architectural finds from the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian periods plus marbles of Cycladic culture.

Chora – Amorgos capital
		Chora is the village in Amorgos with the most traditional architecture and the “Kastro” – castle rock rises above the village and has guarded the village since the Venetian occupancy. The historic rock with a height of 210 feet has had built into it for more than fifteen centuries the church of Kera Leousa (Lady of mercy). A narrow stone staircase in the rock, leads to the small St. George church from where you can enter the fortress through its preserved low gate.

Olympia shipwreck
		The shipwreck of the Olympia (which ironically was previously called “Inland”) was apparently crashed here by pirates. To find it you can go by car or take the bus line to Paradisia beach. When you go of the bus head back down the road & take the first turning on your right signposted Kalotaritissa. Walk 30-40 minutes and you should be able to see the wreck down a scrub covered valley on your right.