Koufonisi

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / image missing

The uninhabited Greek island Kato Koufonisi (Greek Κάτω Κουφονήσι (n. sg. ), Sub - Koufonisi ' ) is the third largest island in the archipelago Koufonisia within the Little Ostkykladen.

Location

Kato Koufonisi lies about 6 km southeast of Naxos and is 20 km north- west of Amorgos. By about 400 m and a maximum of 8 m deep narrow Strait of Koufonisi ( Στενό Κουφονησιού ) Kato Koufonisi is separated from the north -lying island Pano Koufonisi. The also uninhabited island Glaronisi is about 600 m east, Keros just over 3 km to the southeast and Schoinoussa 3 km southwest.

History

The colonization of the island during the 3rd millennium BC was demonstrated by archaeological excavations, which brought a graveyard and ruins of the Bronze Age Cycladic culture days. From the Hellenistic and Roman period ruins were also found.

Kato Koufonisi was owned by the monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa ( Παναγία Χοζοβιώτισσα ) on Amorgos and served some herder families as pasture. Due to the limited natural resources, the population of the island declined steadily since the 1950s. The few farmers and some goatherds from Amorgos were forced to leave the islands. Since the 1990 Kato Koufonisi is uninhabited.

Kato Koufonisi today

In addition to its use as a goat pasture during the summer months, the island of day visitors from Pano Koufonisi is attended with fishing boats. Overnight accommodations are not available. Is located on the beautiful beaches a tavern, in addition to a few other buildings here is the small church of Panagia ( Παναγία ). When built on ancient ruins church, a festival is held on 15 August of people from Pano Koufonisi.

Conservation

Kato Koufonisi is part of the Natura 2000 area GR4220013 Mikres Kyklades: Irakleia, Schoinoussa, Koufonisia, Keros, Antikeri kai thal assia zoni ( Μικρές Κυκλάδες: από Κέρο μέχρι Ηράκλεια, Σχοινούσσα, Κουφονήσια, Κέρος, Αντικέρι και θαλάσσια ζώνη ).