36:49.684N 025:51.883E Amorgos
Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Wed 1 Jun 2022 12:52
We were up early and the anchor was up by 6.20 a.m. as we wanted to go to Amorgos. The weather was right and while we had this chance we are going to take it. It is a dramatically rugged small island which is narrow and long with very few beaches. It was first inhabited from as early as 3300 BC. During the Cycladic civilisation there were three cities on this small island Minoa, Arkesini and Egiali. In 1885 a find of ceramics and marble was taken to the Archaeological Museum in Athens. There are several high mountains the tallest being over 2,290 feet high which is why the island is known for wind.
We motored with the main up with the genny coming out to play now and again and the engine was turned off. A beautiful morning with hardly another boat to be seen. We sailed between Skhinousa and Karos and on passed the island of Andikaros managing to miss the rocks which are lapped by the sea. No markings! We made for Katapola bay and harbour and the scenery as you enter the bay is lovely. There are whitewashed houses with windmills on the mountain tops. Above the town is the Apano Kastoria a Venetian fortress built by Geremia Ghisi in 1290. The chora boasts the smallest church in Greece, the tiny Avios Fanourios. In the middle of the rounded bay stands a large monastery and church with a blue cupola.
We anchored as the breeze had dropped and it appeared to be the makings of a quiet night. We waited for Clive and Tricia to join us in order that we could visit the Byzantine Moni Panagias Chozoviotissas on the east coast. The white monastery clings to the 590 feet cliffs. It was a huge fortress built into the rock by monks. It houses the fabulous icon of the Virgin Mary. Founded in 1088 by Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Comnenos the monastery contains a library with a collection of ancient manuscripts.
We caught the bus and were dropped off at the closest point and walked to the point where you climb the 300 steps up to the monastery. The path is wide but by English standards very unsafe but is maintained in places. At 5 o’clock we were allowed in entering by the smallest steel door ever for a short talk regarding the history of the monastery and for a glass of water and a Greek delight sweet. The icons were amazing and the views from the cliffs looking out at the Mediterranean wonderful. The sea looked like glass.
We managed after climbing down the steps to catch the last bus back to Katapola. We were very lucky Trish and Clive invited us to dinner on their boat which was cooked by Clive and it was delicious. A lovely day came to an end.