Kimolos

Known as Argentiera by the Venetians, Kimolos takes its name from the Greek word Kimolia meaning chalk, both silver-white perlite and cimolite chalk are still mined there today. This volcanic island is also rich in semiprecious stones such as quartz, amethyst and opal. Ruins of the sunken ancient city were found near present day Hellinika on the west side of the island, and Archaeology indicates that Kimolos has been inhabited continuously since the Late Neolithic Age. During antiquity, the island was a battlefield between Ancient Athens, the ruler of the Kimolos, and Sparta, the ruler of Milos. It became part of the Delian League in the 5th century bc, and modelled on Athenian democracy had a parliament and a municipality. Its patron saint was Athena. Due to its wealth from exports, it had its own currency in the 3rd century bc. In 338 bc, the dispute over nearby Poliegos with Milos concluded when the court of Argos, on mainland Greece, decided in favour of Kimolos, a right it has upheld ever since.

During antiquity, the island was a battlefield between Ancient Athens, the ruler of the Kimolos, and Sparta, the ruler of Milos.

Kimolos fascinates me with its ruggedness and colour collages. I’ve circumnavigated it whilst freediving, admiring its quiet bays and isolated northern coastline. Crossing from Poliegos to Milos on many occasions caused me confrontations with sea conditions of unusual force; no matter how close I’d manoeuvre to the island in search of protection, the two straits between it and its neighbours are narrow to the point of causing unusual havoc in the waves.