SIFNOS

 
 

The first inhabitants of Sifnos were the Karesand the Phoenix. 
      The Iones came later.
      The island was famous in ancient times for the wealth whichcame from its gold and silver mines and the quarries of Sifnos stone. It enjoyed great prosperity in Classical times, as can be seen from its Treasury, dedicated to Apollo at Delphi.
           An attractive drive from the port of` Kamares, a moderntown with pottery workshops,
brings us to the island's capital,Apolonia.
     Standing on three hillsides, with its typical Cycladic styleof architecture, it is breathtakingly beautiful. It has an interesting folkloremuseum, while the churches of the greatest interest are those of Our Lady"Ouranofora" and St Sozon.

 
 
Like that of the villages round about (Artemonas, Exambela,Kato Petali), the architecture of Apolonia is an odd assemblage in whichwalls, terraces, courtyards and alleyways form large cubes in a continuous complex, in total harmony with the natural environment.

The sole exception to this is the old capital of Kastro,which remains an example of medieval town planning. A collection of Archaicand Hellenistic sculpture and of ceramics from the Geometric to the Byzantine period is on display in its Archaeological Museum.
  Picturesque windmills surrender their sails to the vagariesof the wind, while no fewer than 365 churches and chapels sprout all overthe island like white mushrooms from the grey carpet of the island's terrain.The monasteries of Sifnos, such as that of St Symeon, ofAi-Lias, the Vrissi monastery with an interesting little Byzantine museumand that of Our Lady "Hryssopigi", the patron saint of the island, are heldin high esteem.

The strong local colour of the mountainous island with itsstrips of coastal plain is further heightened by its picturesque fairs andfestivals
 

  

Beaches
There are clean and attractive beaches at Kamares, Fares and Platis Gialos as well as quieter and lesser-known ones, such as those at Hersonissos, Vroulidia, and Fikiada Fassolou.

Sports
Windsurfing.You can rent surfboards on the island.

Night Life
In Apollonia you can find discos, bars and taverns withlive greek music.
Bars can be also found in Platis Gialos