Listed 3 sub titles with search on: Main pages for wider area of: "SIFNOS Island KYKLADES" .
APOLLONIA (Small town) SIFNOS
Apollonia, also known as Stavri, has been the capital of Siphnos since
1836. It was the seat of the Siphnos Municipality (1836-1914) and of the Apollonia
District (1914-1998), and is presently the seat of the newly formed Siphnos Municipality
(1999).
The name Apollonia derives from Apollo, meaning a town dedicated to
the worship of the God Apollo. As for the derivation of its common name, Stavri,
which dates back to 1677, there are various possible interpretations: it could
derive from the male proper name Stavros; from Timios Stavros meaning Holy Cross
(there was a church of a holy cross in the vicinity); from its location literally
at the crossroads where all the main roads of the island meet; or from the crosswise
design of the town plan and houses.
Whatever the derivation of its common name, Apollonia is indeed situated
in the geographical center of the island and it is built amphitheatrically on
three hills. The island's commercial center, this is where you will find, among
other things, news agencies, travel offices, banks, stationary shops, as well
as the island's medical clinic, two pharmacies, the two police stations, the telecommunications
facilities sand gas stations. Apollonia has no shortage of restaurants, traditional
coffee houses, cafes, bars, and souvenir gift shops.
Visitors can stroll on Apollonia's stone-paved streets and lanes,
and enjoy the picturesque to local architecture, or have a drink or coffee at
the many coffee bars or sample the delicious local cuisine in one of the many
restaurants. To appreciate the local history and culture, a visit to the Folklore
Museum in Apollonia's central square is highly recommended.
Other sites of historical and cultural interest include the old schools
of Saint Artemios (1832-1988), the church of Saint Artemios (1629), which belongs
to the Simonopetry of Mount Athos, the Virgin Mary of Barou with the French frescoes
and wood curved temple the churches Saint Athanasios, Saint Sostis, the Transfiguration
of Christ, the Holy Cross and the Bearded Virgin ''Uraniofora'', the busts of
poet Rambaya in the square of the same name and that of Aristomenis Provelengios,
made by the famous Tinian sculptor Giannoulis Halepas, in the courtyard of the
Gymnasium.
South-west from Apollonia, on the highest peak of Mount Prophet Elias,
visitors can see the imposing monastery of the same name (1145-1890), where many
of the monks were iconographers; those who enjoy hiking will never forget the
panoramic view of the Aegean and the scenic way in which the island's many villages
punctuate the soft contours of the hills across from Mount Prophet Elias.
On the north slope of the same mountain, visitors can also see the
Monastery of Saint John tou Moungou (the Mute) (ca. 1650-1834), where Parthenios
Heretis, o monk well known for his intellectual and scholarly pursuits, lived
and worked.
ARTEMONAS (Village) SIFNOS
Tel: +30 22840 32388
Fax: +30 22840 31234
According to the local lore, the village was allegedly the place where
Artemis, The well-wisher, namely the goddess who protected those disembarking
from the arriving ships, but also the one who brought about favorable resolutions
to various troubles, was worshipped. Though this lore made for good stories, it
is highly unlikely that is historically accurate, for in ancient time places were
Artemis was worshipped were called Artemissia. According to a scholar the name
Artemonas, or Artemon, relies on the same linguistic structure as that of Parthenonas,
or Parthenon, which itself derives etymologically from Parthena meaning virgin,
virginity being one of the attributions of Artemis.
Artemonas is the birthplace of Nikolaos Chrysogelos, already mentioned
above, and of Ioannis Gryparis, a highly esteemed Greek poet and philologist.
A municipality in its own right from 1914 until 1998, Artemonas is now part of
the single Municipality of Siphnos. One and a half kilometers north of Apollonia,
Artemonas is one of the most picturesque villages of Siphnos, thanks to the neoclassical
architecture of many of its houses and its beautiful gardens.
Of the many windmills that used to stand at the top of the hill, today
only two are in good condition. This spot is worth a visit for its panoramic view
not only for the other villages, including Kastro, but also of the nearby islands.
In Artemonas visitors can see the house where the poet Gryparis was born, the
churches of the Virgin Mary of Kohi, for its interesting architecture, the Virgin
Mary of Samos, an extension to which was added in1788 and where you will find
the icon of the Virgin Mary, The Nun, a rare iconic depiction of Mary without
the Holy Child and the Virgin Mary of Balis, whose feast day is celebrated on
November 21.
KATO PETALI (Village) SIFNOS
Petali is the name of two villages, Kato Petali (Petali Below) and,
because on its location on the hill above, Pano Petali (Petali Above). In the
local dialect, Petali means stony height, and is a commonplace name on the island.
Kato Petali is east of Apollonia,
built at the foot and on the gentle slopes of a hill. The building that stands
out on this village is that of the church of Zoodochou Pigis (1894). To raise
funds for its maintenance and restoration, the villagers sing the Virgin Mary's
Carols on January the 1st, the same melody as the Christmas carols accompanied
by local instruments. Of great interest is the stone-covered courtyard of this
church, with its traditional design patterns, as well as the architecture of the
houses, the object of a study by the German academic Friedrich Wagner and his
students. The old building that used to house the old primary school (1924-1994)
now houses the Music School of Siphnos.
East, of Kato Petali, you will find the old monastery of Saint John
the Chrysostomos (Saint John with the Golden Tongue), which was founded in 1650;
according to local tradition, this was where the first Greek school on Siphnos
was located, and where, too, the School of the Holy Sepulcher, known as the Helleno-museum,
was housed before it was moved to the School building of Saint Artemios. South
of the village, in the middle of an olive grove, you will find the beautiful church
of the Virgin Mary of Koukia (1614), also known as Myrtidiotissa.
This text is cited August 2004 from the Municipality of Sifnos URL below, which contains images
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