Sifnos

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Sifnos (Greek Σίφνος ( f sg ) ) is a Greek island in the Cyclades and is located about 130 km southeast of Athens in the Aegean Sea surrounded by neighboring islands of Milos, Kimolos, Serifos and Paros. At the same time it forms a community within the region South Aegean.

The area of ​​the island is 77.371 km ²; it is 15 km long and up to 7.5 km wide. The highest point is 682 m of the Prophet Elias. Since the 19th century, the monastery is left on the top of the mountain.

History

The mining of lead and probably also silver on the island began in the Neolithic period shortly before the year 3000 BC The finds are related with those from Kephala on the island of Ceos. Pottery and an arrowhead from obsidian are assigned to the same time.

Settlement evidence are known from the Bronze Age. Partly traces point to the early and mittelkykladische time when settlement can the village of Agios Andreas on the top of mountain of the same evidence only in spätmykenischer time only about 1300 to 1230 BC. Agios Andreas was secured by a wall, which was also protected by towers. The settlement was inhabited again in the Geometric period and the fortifications strengthened. Further details are not well known, since the foundations because of its location on the mountain top has been severely eroded.

In ancient times, Sifnos was rich with gold and silver mining. The inhabitants could build a treasure house in the sanctuary of Delphi. Even during the classical period but exhausted the resources and the impoverished island.

Presence

Sifnos has 2,625 permanent residents, of which about 1,600 live in the twin locality coalesced Apollonia and Artemonas. More 245 inhabitants live in the port of Kamares. From here there are regular ferry connections to Piraeus and to the neighboring islands.

100 meters above the steep east coast is the former capital of Kastro. Kastro is created ( called by the Byzantines " castrum " ) as a fortified settlement. The outer walls of the annular scale houses form the outer mounting ring.

The island is very green for the Cyclades. The agriculture, especially olive and wine growing, still play a dominant role. Also since the ancient time -based pottery itself is still of importance. Ore mining (gold, silver and lead), which earned wealth in ancient times the island, come to a complete standstill. In recent years, tourism plays an increasingly important role.

Pottery

The pottery plays an important role in the lives of Sifnos. The geological composition of this island had contributed to the development of ceramics because their rich loamy earth an excellent raw material darstellt.Ihre history is due to many centuries, but their heyday it was the 19th century, as the local pottery exported their products to the whole country. In the course of time pottery artisans of Sifnos have moved to other areas of Greece such as Cyclades, Crete, Chios and Saronic Gulf and have taken their art and technology. Today, many businesses are operating on the island, producing traditional pottery or decorative crafts.