Why Visit
Schinoussa island is a tiny and remote island with very few permanent inhabitants and a limited number of visitors every summer. The villages of Schinoussa are small and have kept their traditional Cycladic architecture. Dominant colours are blue and white. The capital village is Chora or Panagia, while the main port is Mersini. The beaches are not famous for their popularity, but for the unique natural beauty and the calmness they provide to visitors. Although some beaches are difficult to access, each one has something special. Most beautiful beaches are Almyros, Livadi, Tsigouri and Lioliou, all with crystal water.
History
According to the few findings on the countryside of Schinoussa, the island is known from the ancient times. A large collection of pottery pieces, small statues and various tools that have been excavated witness a great activity during the 10th century BC. In the Byzantine times, the island flourished because of trade and many Byzantine churches were built. Ruins of these churches still exist around the island.
The Venetians ruled Schinoussa from the 13th until the 16th century and this was a peak period for the history of Schinoussa and all Cyclades generally. The island is first mentioned in some old documents kept in the Monastery of Hozoviotissa in Amorgos and it is believed that it took its name from a Venetian administrator.
During the turkish rule (16th-19th century) the island of Schinoussa was used as a shelter for the pirates. When piracy was confronted by the Greek navy in the end of the 19th century, residents of neighbouring Amorgos island moved to Schinoussa to shettle. The island flourished for a short time due to agriculture, fishing and trade, but then it started to decline. In the 1950s and the 1960s, many inhabitants immigrated to Athens or abroad. Today, Schinoussa has about 200 inhabitants involved in fishing and agriculture.
Museums - Archeological
The history of Schinoussa starts in the early ancient times, as shown by excavations that have been performed on the island, particularly in the centre of Schinoussa. Architectural remains of the Hellenistic and the Roman times have been excavated there, including the remains of some paleochristian churches and a Medieval Castle. However, the history of Schinoussa stopped abruptly in the Medieval times, when it became a shelter of pirates.
You can not find any important museum on Schinoussa, except for a small but interesting folklore museum in the capital village. In this folklore museum, you will see traditional items of the past two centuries. These items belonged to permanent inhabitants whi have donated them to this tiny museum. Therefore, you will find kitchen utensils, agricultural tools, old clothes and some other exhibits to depict traditional life on Schinoussa.
If you are really interesting in museums, you will find many lovely museums in the neighboring island of Naxos, which is daily connected to Schinoussa by boat. The most interesting museums in Naxos are the Archaeological Museum and the Venetian Museum in Chora.
Beaches
Almyros, Lioliou, Tsigouri, Fikio, Psili Ammos, Livadi, Mersini beach
Religious Monasteries and Churches
Getting around Schinoussa, one of the most picturesque and peaceful islands of Small Cyclades is a unique experience. Its natural beauty has won over many visitors and so far archeologists have discovered several ancient sites and Byzantine churches.
It is worth visiting the church of Panagia Akathi located in Panagia, the heart of the island. On 15th August, a great festival is held with food and wine. In fact many women in Schinoussa were named Akathi to honor the local church. Close to the main town, in Mesaria village lies the church of Evangelismos tis Theotokou and other chapels in the wider region.
