Culture of Folegandros Island. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Folegandros can’t be called a large island, its area is only 32 square kilometres. Despite the difficulties with fresh water, scientists believe that the land was inhabited in the 3rd millennium BC. The name of the island is translated from Greek as «rocky land». But there is also an opinion that the name is connected to the first settler from Crete. His name was Folegandros and he was a son of Minos. You can find various historical attractions here.

Folegandros wasn’t a well-known place during the height of ancient Greece. The island didn’t play an important role in the battles between city-states and then it fell under Roman authority with other settlements. Venetians made the greatest contribution to the development of the island. Marko I Sanudo, the first Duke of the Duchy of the Archipelago conquered Folegandros and attached it to his possessions in 1207. Kastro reminds us of those times. It is a fortification, built in the 13th century to protect inhabitants from pirates. The construction is well preserved, so you can visit this place, filled with ancient Greek spirit.

You can find Kastro in Chora, the capital of the island. This part of the city is situated near the bus stop. You can not only admire the medieval buildings here but also enjoy brilliant views. The fortified area is located two hundred meters above the sea level, at a strategically advantageous position. Chora itself is an interesting place to visit. The city almost hasn’t been rebuilt since the construction and therefore you can walk along the narrow medieval streets and small houses, standing in its place for several hundred years. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

After the reign of Venice, the island became part of Turkey. In the 17-18th centuries, Folegandros was devastated by constant raids. Houses were destroyed, people were driven into slavery. The island became a part of Greece in 1828 and since then the locals lead a very measured life, engaged in fishing and crafts. If you want to know more about Greek life in the 19th century, visit the Folklore Museum in Ano Meria. A gorgeous construction was built in the 19th century. Clothes, household items and tools are displayed at the museum.

One of the most amazing local churches is the Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary). You can find it near the capital, on the top of the cliff. The construction is the quite unusual zigzag path of stone leads to the building, which is of the same snow white colour as the church. The Church of Panagia is a nice example of Cycladic architecture and its interior decoration won't leave anybody indifferent.

Interesting and even a little mysterious object is Chrysospilia cave. This place is considered to be one of the largest caves in Greece with stalagmites and stalactites. The archaeologists haven't finished the exploration of the cave, but there have been found objects related to the 5-4 centuries BC: human skeletons and clay amphorae. Hundreds of names were carved on the walls of the cave in ancient times. There is a hypothesis that some religious ceremonies were held there. You can get to the cave only by boat and only in calm weather. Another interesting object indirectly related to the sea is the local lighthouse, built in 1919. The lighthouse still performs its functions, but it works by the lamp, powered by solar panels.