Anafi


According to mythology, Anafi received its name when Apollo made the island appear to the Argonauts as shelter from inclement weather using his bow as a torch, i.e. the island name Anafi is derived from anafinen meaning, "he made appear”. The Argonauts were a group of heroes in Greek mythology, around 1300 bc, who accompanied Jason to Colchis in his efforts to search for the Golden Fleece in the years prior to the Trojan War.
They built a temple dedicated to the god, whose worship was widespread on the island. Remains of this can still be found near the Monastery of Panagia Kalamiotissa at the top of Mount Kalamos. Part of the Duchy of Naxos in the Middle Ages, it became the stronghold of several Venetian royal families. In 1207, it came under Frankish rule. At this time, the Castle of Krispi, or Glezos Tower, was built on the hill of Hora to be used as a shelter from pirates. The Ottomans then took control and were very harsh. In 1537, an attack by Barbarosa, resulted in the selling of all male inhabitants as slaves and the slaughter of women and children. After the Greek War of Independence, the island was liberated in 1830 together with the rest of the Cyclades. Due to its poor economy and few inhabitants, many emigrated to Athens in the 1830s-1940s settling in the district of Plaka, in the centre. The neighborhood they formed called Anafiotika, directly below the Acropolis, is one of the most picturesque in the area. Source: Wikipedia / Anafi

According to mythology, Anafi received its name when Apollo made the island appear to the Argonauts as shelter from inclement weather using his bow as a torch

It took me at least ten years of staring across at Anafi from Ios and Santorini to finally get there, and its personality has remained with me ever since. Freediving was the focus of my first visit. Especially memorable are the dives directly below Kalamiotissa monastery atop Mount Kalamos, and the two islands of Pachia and Makra to the south. More recently, I visited for research of the project trekking in all directions, and though exhausted at the end of each day, I enjoyed it just as much.

Read my essay about Anafi in INSIGHTS GREECE magazine.

Orange Glow around Mount Kalamos, Anafi Mount Kalamos is the second largest monolith in the Mediterranean after Gibraltar.  During the Middle-Ages, it was used as a refuge against invaders.

Orange Glow around Mount Kalamos, Anafi


Mount Kalamos is the second largest monolith in the Mediterranean after Gibraltar. During the Middle-Ages, it was used as a refuge against invaders.

 

Hora, Anafi  The island’s capital, Hora, was built on the slopes of a mountain at an altitude of 200 metres offering  magnificent views over the Aegean. Anafi has a population of less than 300.

Hora, Anafi

The island’s capital, Hora, was built on the slopes of a mountain at an altitude of 200 metres offering  magnificent views over the Aegean. Anafi has a population of less than 300.

 

Shepherd’s Cave, Anafi   Ancient geographers considered Anafi as part of the Sporades archipelago, not the Cyclades.

Shepherd’s Cave, Anafi

Ancient geographers considered Anafi as part of the Sporades archipelago, not the Cyclades.

 

Byzantine Church, Anafi   Anafi has 181 species of rare flora.

Byzantine Church, Anafi

Anafi has 181 species of rare flora.

View of Livoskopos Bay, Anafi  In 2015 the biennial art event Phenomenon was created on Anafi.

View of Livoskopos Bay, Anafi

In 2015 the biennial art event Phenomenon was created on Anafi.

Panaghia Ton Axinon, Anafi   In 1537 the Ottoman admiral Barbarossa raided Anafi taking all of its male inhabitants away as slaves.

Panaghia Ton Axinon, Anafi

In 1537 the Ottoman admiral Barbarossa raided Anafi taking all of its male inhabitants away as slaves.

 

Ascending Mount Kalamos, Anafi  At Panagia Kalamiotisa monastery on top of Mount Kalamos  can be found temple ruins built as an offering to the god  Apollo Aegletus. At a height of 460m, Mount Kalamos is visible all over Anafi.

Ascending Mount Kalamos, Anafi

At Panagia Kalamiotisa monastery on top of Mount Kalamos
can be found temple ruins built as an offering to the god
Apollo Aegletus. At a height of 460m, Mount Kalamos is visible all over Anafi.

 

Zoodochios Pighi Monastery, Anafi  The annual festival on 8th September celebrates the Birth of the Virgin at the Zoodochios Pighi Monastery.

Zoodochios Pighi Monastery, Anafi

The annual festival on 8th September celebrates the Birth of the Virgin at the Zoodochios Pighi Monastery.

 

Panaghia Sto Dokari, Anafi   Ancient remains from Anafi became the property of foreign antiquaries, with one statue of the Hellenistic period on display at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Panaghia Sto Dokari, Anafi

Ancient remains from Anafi became the property of foreign antiquaries, with one statue of the Hellenistic period on display at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

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