m ft
Alonissos belongs to the Group of the Northen Sporades.
Greece » Sporades

Why Visit
The old capital of the island, Chora, or Liadromiâ, is located at the top of the Hill, where there is still some old houses have survived, despite the 1965 earthquake. ALONNISOS is a haven of Mediterranean seals, which was established to protect the marine reserve. The island has many beaches, the best of which are beaches Hrisi Milia ("Golden Apple"), which is 4 km away. to the northeast of the island, the port of Patitiri is Kokkinokastro, near which are the ruins of the ancient city walls of the Eikos and Giorgi Yialos (it is believed that here was the ancient harbor of the Eikos).

History
The history of Alonissos is lost in the depths of the Paleolithic era where the first traces of inhabitancy are found. The present Alonissos took its name during the first years of Greek liberation and it has no relation with the ancient Alonissos. During the antiquity, the island was named Ikos, and Alonissos was the name that was used by the ancient Greeks, probably for the neighboring island, north of Kyra Panagia.

The legend says that during the 16th century BC, Cretans with their leader, the mythical Stafylos who introduced wine making to the island, settled in Ikos and Skopelos. The Minoan settlement soon adopts a Mycenaean character and moves in the location of Kokkinokastro, east of the island.

During the Classical period, the inhabitants of Alonissos were worshiping the god Poseidon. In the 3rd century AC, the inhabitants accepted Christianity as their religion. In 190 BC, the island is occupied by the Roman fleet but there is little information on the years that follow up to the occupation of Constantinople from the Franks in 1204 AC, assuming that Alonissos and its neighboring islands came under the Frankish rule. Along with Skopelos, Alonissos met several conquerors throughout the centuries.

After the occupation of Constantinople from the Turks in 1453, the islands were under Venetian rule and remained that way until 1538, when the Turkish fleet, ordered the Turkish authority. During the Greek Revolution of 1821, many Greeks from different places of Greece arrived in Alonissos. Together with the locals, they form the present population of Alonissos.

An important point in the recent history of Alonissos is the severe earthquake of 1965. This earthquake damaged most houses in Chora and made the inhabitants move to Patitiri, the port of Alonissos.

Museums - Archeological
The green island of Alonissos is unhabited since the Paleolithic times and has been an important trade center in the Classical period. It is home only to a single museum that depicts traditional life on the island. The Mavrikis Folklore Museum is perched on a hill overlooking Patitiri and aims to preserve the history of Alonissos.

The museum contains rooms with costumes, agricultural tools and objects from the daily life of the locals and vast collection of local artworks. The building is used for many art exhibitions which take place during the summer. You can access the museum on foot and enjoy the remarkable view to the picturesque harbour.

Beaches
Tzortzi Gialos, Chrisi Milia, Glyfa, Marpounta, Agios Petros, Agios Dimitrios, Kokinokastro, Lakes, Lefto Gialos, Megali Ammos, Megalos Mourtias, Milia, Roussoum Gialos, Spartines, Vamvakies, Vrisitsa, Votsi beach, Vythisma

Religious Monasteries and Churches
In Alonissos town itself and the surrounded settlements you will meet many surviving churches and monasteries that were founded during the Byzantine and post-Byzantine years. Here you will find peace and many religious treasures to admire. The most impressive churches lie within the medieval castle of Alonissos.

The first one you see after the entrance is the 12th century church of the Christ, a prefect example of Byzantine architecture and one of the few that survived the big earthquake. Much older is the 11th century church of Agios Athanasios which also survived the earthquake and has a beautiful paved yard. Agios Georgios is the third church that preserves its original medieval character. It houses two Orthodox icons and offers a gorgeous view to the sea.

Moving beyond the borders of the castle one meets the Church of Panagia tou Vounou, dedicated to the Virgin (of the mountains). The church lies on the mountain slopes and is decorated with beautiful Orthodox frescoes from the 17th century. Close to Alonissos is Kyra Panagia, one of the largest inhabited islets of North Sporades.

On top of it, stands the 16th century Byzantine monastery of Kyra Panagia, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The islet was named after the monastery which offers an amazing view to the sea. It is quite popular with tourists, especially during the festival that takes place there on August 15th.