Kastro is the medieval settlement in Folegandros that used to be surrounded by strong walls in order to protect the inhabitants from pirates and enemies. The northern part of Kastro was built at the edge of a cliff. The area has been inhabited continuously since the establishment. Some of the houses are over 1000 years old, and today they are inhabited and maintained in good condition. The houses are traditional white with wooden balconies. Kastro is the most picturesque area of Chora.

Chora

Culture & History

The church of Panagia is the biggest and most beautiful church of the island. The church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. It is located on a rock above Chora town and was very possible constructed on the ruins of an ancient temple. The exact year of the construction of the church is not known. There is a marble epigraph dating from 1687, which refers to the renovation of the temple. The church took on its current form during the restructuring that began in 1816 and was completed in 1821. The architecture of the white church is traditional Cycladic. It is a one-aisle basilica with many domes and a tall belltower. Inside the church you find frescoes, a marble throne for the archbishop and a marble icon screen. In the past the church belonged to a female monastery. The icon of the Virgin Mary that can be seen in the church is linked to pirate stories of Folegandros. You can see ancient inscription, sculptures and statue bases in the courtyard. Follow the stone footpath that starts from Pounda Square in Chora and you will reach the church in about 15 minutes walk. From the church you have an excellent view of the island and the sea.

Chora

Religion & Culture

The lighthouse of Aspropountas was built in 1919 at an altitude of 58 meters above sea level. The light of the lighthouse is located at a height of 11 meters and it is visible at a distance of 17 miles. The lighthouse has followed the development of technology. The lighthouse started to produce light by using a fuse but it was later upgraded to use a petroleum gas mechanism. The lighthouse became dependent on solar energy since 1986 and has been operating like that untill today. The lighthouse is accessible by a footpath from Livadaki which takes 15 minutes and from Ano Meria which takes around 1 hour.

Livadaki

Nature & Culture

Chrysospilia cave is a natural monument located on the north-eastern part of Folegandros. The cave is about 300 meters deep and consists of two main chambers joined to each other by a small corridor. Roman wells and a large number of shells have been found on the floor of the first chamber, while the second chamber is decorated with impressive stalactite formations. The cave has a significant archaeological interest since a large number of ancient names are covering the walls and ceiling in the cave. The names date mainly from the 4th century BC and belong to young adults from all parts of Greece. They inscribed their names on the walls in order to leave a trace of their visit. It is believed that the visit was religious and that it was some kind of a ceremony. The cave is not open to public since it is protected by the Archaeological Service and there is no infrastructure in place for accessing and visiting the cave.

North East

History & Culture

The Ecomuseum in Ano Meria opened to the public in the summer of 1988. The museum provides a cultural insight to the traditional lifestyle in the villages on the island. The museum is housed in one of the most beautiful rural residences with walls made of stone and mud without the use of plaster. This is also how the houses used to be built in order not to be discovered by the pirates in the past. The house is full of exhibitions like daily-life tools, local costumes, an old loom, panniers and jars. Visitors will also find remains of an olivepress, an oven and a primitive winepress.

Ano Meria

History & Culture

There are many great footpaths around the island. There are three footpaths to Livadaki beach starting from Ano Meria. They all go through the amazing wild nature and take about 45 to 60 minutes. The beach combines sand and rocks with crystalclear water. With extra 10 minutes walk from the beach you can also visit Aspropounta Lighthouse.

Ano Meria & Livadaki beach

Hiking

“Castelos” is a small rocky peninsula in the northern part of the island close to Agios Georgios beach. Here they made archaeological excavations and they found remains of a prehistoric small settlement, which are dating around the middle of the 3rd BC millennium.

Close to Agios Georgios Beach

History

Georgitsi Cave is located in the southeastern part of the island between Karavostasis village and Katergo. The cave is only accessable from the sea and you can find excursion boats in the port of Karavostasis. The place is also ideal for scuba diving.

Between Karavostasis village and Katergo Beach

Water activity

You find several boat taxis around the island of Folegandros that brings you to different beaches. There is for example a boat taxi between the port of Karavostasis and Katergo beach. There is also a boat taxi between Agali beach and Livadaki beach. The boat trips are not so expensive and they don't take so long time. A different alternative than the road transportation!

Karavostasis & Agali

Transportation