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Amorgos

Coordinates: 36°51′N 25°54′E / 36.850°N 25.900°E / 36.850; 25.900
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For the poem published by the Greek poet Nikos Gatsos, see Nikos Gatsos § Select bibliography.
Amorgos
Αμοργός
Municipality
View of Chora (Amorgos)
View of Chora (Amorgos)
Amorgos is located in Greece
Amorgos
Amorgos
Location within the region
Coordinates: 36°51′N 25°54′E / 36.850°N 25.900°E / 36.850; 25.900
CountryGreece
Geographic regionCyclades
Administrative regionSouth Aegean
Regional unitNaxos
Area
 • Municipality126.35 km2 (48.78 sq mi)
Highest elevation
823 m (2,700 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipality1,961
 • Density16/km2 (40/sq mi)
 • Community
446
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
840 08
Area code(s)22850
Vehicle registrationEM

Amorgos (Greek: Αμοργός, Amorgós; pronounced [amorˈɣos]) is the easternmost island of the Cyclades island group and the nearest island to the neighboring Dodecanese island group in Greece. Along with 16 neighboring islets, the largest of which (by land area) is Nikouria Island, it comprises the municipality of Amorgos, which has a land area of 126.346 square kilometres (48.782 square miles)[2] and at the 2021 census had a population of 1,961.

Geography

[edit]
Satellite image of Amorgos

Due to its position near the ancient Ionian towns, such as Miletus, Halicarnassus and Ephesus, Amorgos became one of the first places from which the Ionians passed through to the Cycladic Islands and onto the Greek mainland.

History

[edit]
Acropolis of Arkesini

Throughout history, Amorgos was also known as Yperia, or Platagy, Pagali, Psichia, and Karkisia.[3] Amorgos features many remnants of ancient civilizations. At the time of Archaic Greece, there were three independent city-states there. They are believed to have featured autonomous constitutions but the same currency. Amorgos is distinguished by the size and quality of the walls surrounding the city of Arkesini, the ancient towers whose remains are scattered around the island, ancient tombs, stone tools, inscriptions, vases and by other antiquities. Arcesine or Arkesine (Ancient Greek: Ἀρκεσίνη) was an ancient town on the island of Amorgos in the eastern Cyclades. It was one of the three main settlements on the island in antiquity.[4]

Due to the name Minoa, it is suspected that Amorgos had been colonized by the Cretans from ancient times,[3] but there is no archeological evidence supporting this view.[5]

The island was visited by the British explorers Theodore and Mabel Bent in 1883/4.[6]

Early Cycladic period

[edit]
Dokathismata figurine, Early Cycladic II, Syros phase (2800–2300 BC)

Excavations and findings, especially burial tombs, prove the intense presence of Amorgos during the prehistoric years, particularly during the first period of Cycladic civilization (3200 to 2000 BC).

Almost a dozen separate inhabited centres are known in this period. Amorgos is the origin of many famous Cycladic figurines. ‘Dokathismata style’ figurines were originally found here. Cycladic sculptures had been discovered from the cemeteries at Aghia Paraskevi, Aghios Pavlos, Dokathismata, Kapros, Kapsala, Nikouria and Stavros.[3]

'Kapsala Cycladic figurines', dating around 2700 B.C., are named after a find place in Amorgos. This is the earliest of the 'canonical types' – a reclining female with folded arms. They tend to have slender and elongated proportions. At this time, anatomical features such as arms are modeled three-dimensionally. With the later types, sculptors tended to render this feature with incised lines.[7]

'Dokathismata Cycladic figurines' date from a somewhat later period of 2400–2100 BC. Compared to the statuettes of the Spedos type—the most common and renowned type of figurines featuring finely modeled and somewhat rounded shapes—the statuettes of the Dokathismata type tend to have a more slender and sometimes angular silhouette.

Classical period

[edit]

Part of the island is named Aspis, where the ancient temple of the goddess Aphrodite stood.

In approximately 630 BC, the poet Semonides led the foundation of a Samian colony on Amorgos. The Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax mentions it as Tripolis. It was a member of the Delian League.[8] It participated in the Second Athenian League.[9]

The names of the three cities given by Stephanus Byzantinus are Arkesini, Minoa, Aigiali or Melania which, according to inscriptions, are the most correct. The three towns are on the island's west coast because that is where bays and natural ports that could provide the proper positioning for seaside towns and forts exist. Aigiali was on the north East Side of the island close to the present day locations of Tholaria and Stroumvos. Minoa was situated at the center of the northern side near the present day village of Katapola and Arkesini close to the present-day location Kastri.

In 322 BC, Athens and Macedonia fought the naval Battle of Amorgos.

Heraclides Lembus wrote that the island produced much wine, as well as olive oil and fruits.[10]

With the passing of time, the island's name changed to Amolgon and Amourgon.

Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern

[edit]
Fifteenth century map by Cristoforo Buondelmonti

In the 5th century, Bishop Theodore, who attended a synod in Constantinople, signed as Bishop of the Parians, Sifnians, and Amoulgians. It was known as Yamurgi during Ottoman rule between 1566 and 1829.

On 9 July 1956, a large earthquake occurred that generated a local tsunami of up to 30 m (98 ft). The shock had a moment magnitude of 7.7 and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Fifty-three people were killed and 100 were injured.

[edit]

The island was featured in Luc Besson's film The Big Blue (1988) and "Two tickets to Greece", France, 2023 in which Agia Anna and the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa can be seen. The island was also featured in Giorgos Kordelas' film Ariadni (2002).[11] Amorgos has been referenced online due to the similarity of its name to that of the video game Among Us.[12]

Municipal districts

[edit]
View of Tholaria village
Street of Langada village

The municipality of Amorgos is subdivided into the following communities (population at 2021 census and constituent villages within brackets):[1]

  • Aigiali (536, Aigiali, Agios Pavlos, Ormos Egialis, Potamos)
  • Amorgos (409, Chora, Kastelopetra)
  • Arkesini (182, Arkesini, Kalotaritissa, Kalofana, Mavri Myti, Rachoula)
  • Katapola (568, Katapola, Lefkes, Nera, Xylokeratidi, Pera Rachidi, Rachidi, Christoulaki)
  • Tholaria (154, Tholaria, Paralia Tholarion)
  • Vroutsis (75, Vroutsis, Kamari)

Historical population

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Year Community population Municipality population
1981 353 –
1991 330 1,632
2001 427 1,852
2011 409 1,973
2021 446 1,961

Climate

[edit]

Amorgos has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures all year.

Climate data for Aigiali, Amorgos (3m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.9
(58.8) 		15.7
(60.3) 		17.4
(63.3) 		19
(66) 		23.7
(74.7) 		27
(81) 		27.9
(82.2) 		28.3
(82.9) 		26.4
(79.5) 		24.6
(76.3) 		20.9
(69.6) 		17.8
(64.0) 		22.0
(71.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.8
(51.4) 		11.5
(52.7) 		12.9
(55.2) 		14.4
(57.9) 		17.6
(63.7) 		22
(72) 		23.1
(73.6) 		23.6
(74.5) 		22.2
(72.0) 		20.3
(68.5) 		17.3
(63.1) 		14.2
(57.6) 		17.5
(63.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 179.2
(7.06) 		146.6
(5.77) 		79.4
(3.13) 		54
(2.1) 		7
(0.3) 		1
(0.0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		8.3
(0.33) 		16.5
(0.65) 		46.6
(1.83) 		86.1
(3.39) 		624.7
(24.56)
Source: http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/amorgos/ (2019 - 2020 averages)

Landmarks

[edit]
The monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa.
Further information on the ancient town: Arcesine

The monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa is situated on the cliffside, northeast of Chora. It was built early in the second millennium in order to protect a religious icon, dating from the year 812, from intruders. The icon is on public display inside the monastery. Opening time for visitors every day from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitors have to be dressed in a specific way in order to enter. Men have to wear long trousers and women a skirt or a wrap around shift down to the knee, not trousers. The shift may, however, be worn over trousers. As of July 2012, the monastery is active and houses three practicing monks.

Tourism is increasing slowly, although the island's geographical features prevent mass tourism. It is accessible only by boat. The three main tourist accommodations are located in Katapola, Aegiali and Chora. Hiking paths are relatively well maintained. Other activities include scuba diving, free-diving, and visiting the island's beaches (although this isn't its main attraction, like other Greek islands).

Another landmark in the area is a group of windmills that can be seen on a hill above Chora. A couple of them can be visited, while others are either locked or in ruins. It's easy to reach the location either by car or on foot, going through Chora. There is no admission to enter the area.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
  3. ^ a b c History of Amorgos Archived 2014-08-26 at the Wayback Machine www.amorgos-island-magazine.com
  4. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica s.v.v. Ἀρκεσίνη, Ἀμοργός.
  5. ^ Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism (in Greek) Archived July 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Theodore Bent, “The Cyclades, of Life Among the Insular Greeks” (London, 1885).
  7. ^ The Getty Museum
  8. ^ Athenian Tribute Lists
  9. ^ Amorgos
  10. ^ Heraclides Lembus, On Constitutions, 47
  11. ^ Ariadni (2002), retrieved 2024-03-27
  12. ^ Wichmann, Anna (September 25, 2021). "The Unexpected Reason the Greek Island of Amorgos was Trending". Greek Reporter. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  13. ^ Taskos, Nikolaos (4 April 2022). "A visit to the iconic Windmills of Amorgos". Miles With Vibes.

Sources

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[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Amorgos.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amorgos.
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