36:58.209N 025:01.428E Dhespotiko

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Thu 26 May 2022 17:51
Thursday 26th May, 2022.

We woke this morning and several boats had already left Serifos. Charterers have to be back in Athens by Friday night or Saturday morning so they can’t waste time. The weather is beautiful with very little breeze. After breakfast we got the anchor up and steered out of the harbour to cross to Dhespotiko which is a small uninhabited island to the west of Andiparos. We had the main up and the motor going until we were close to the island of Sifnos when the breeze came in for a short while and the genny was out and engine off. It didn’t last for long but it gave us a chance to study the top of Sifnos and it is very barren. There are a couple of very safe bays on the east side which we may try another time.
The journey took us 6 hours of slowly making our way to this wonderful bay. The water is as clear even in 5 to 6 metres. No sign of any little fish 🐠 but a great place to visit on a calm warm day like we have today.

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Serifos this morning.

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We could see our anchor very well.

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Sifnos at the northern point.

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Dhespotiko is uninhibited but there are indications in prehistoric and ancient times due its central position it provided safe anchorage and played a important role in maritime communication routes.
At present excavations prove the existence of a late Archaic sanctuary with objects found indicating links to mainland Greece, Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.
In 2015 an excavation at the Archaic (6th C BC) site revealed new evidence of its size and organisation. Archaeologists discovered an ornate facade of a structure measuring 35 metres by 15 metres plus a large 4 room building. More has to be done but you can visit it and everything found has been sent to the museum in Paros.

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The photo shows the excavation and the work done so far.
The water temperature has increased to 22.4 so after dangling my feet in the water I felt sure it was good for a swim and neither of us were disappointed.

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The sunset was lovely.

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