Sunvil

Map of the Cyclades Region in the South Aegean Sea

Amorgos is situated at the furthest south east point of the Cyclades and differs to many other Greek islands by having 2 ports.
1. Aegiali in the north near our H.Q.
2. Katapola in the south

The Blue Star Ferries that will bring you from Piraeus call at both ports on Amorgos and the travelling time by road between the two is around 30 minutes.

History of the Cyclades

Named after the circle the islands form around the sacred island of Delos, the Cyclades were first inhabited during the period 7000-6000 BC by settlers from Asia Minor. The Bronze Age (3000-2000 BC) saw the development of what is now known as Early Cycladic Culture. This was followed by a period of colonisation by the Minoans who were attracted by the obsidian on Milos and the trading opportunities in this area. With the fall of Crete and the collapse of the Minoan civilisation during the 13th-12th centuries BC, the Myceneans moved into the area shortly followed by the Dorians. After this period the islands seemed to have dropped out of the history books into what is now referred to as a Dark Age.

The arrival of the Ionians in the 8th century BC saw some islands becoming part of the cultural rebirth now referred to as the Archaic Period. But, by the 5th century BC increasing domination from the Persians resulted in the Ionians fleeing the area leaving the Persians in control. Following the Athenian victory over the Persians in the battle of Salamis (480BC) the islands were obliged to join the maritime league at Delos; officially a league of Allies but in reality vassals paying tribute to Athens. This inevitably led to resentment and revolt followed by the islands deciding to side with whoever was the front runner during the Peloponnesian war. However, with Athens again winning control the islands were forced to join the second Delian League in 378BC. The islands then looked to Philip of Macendon who controlled Macedonia and the surrounding area and so began what is now known as the Hellenistic period.

The 2nd century BC saw the Roman Empire moving in, and apart from the few islands under the control of the Patriarchs of Rhodes this was a period of peace. With the fall of Rome in 395BC the islands became part of the Byzantine Empire and were largely left to their own devices. This lasted until 1204AD when the Byzantine Empire received a walloping from the Crusaders who, instead of sorting out their enemies in Jerusalem decided Constantinople was an easier target. With the fall of Constantinople the islands were taken over by the Venetians and they were fought over in a general free for all between grasping noblemen and pirates. The Cyclades became the territory of Marco Sanudo, nephew of the 4th Crusade leader Doge Enrico Dandolo. Marco Sanudo declared himself the Duke of Naxos and ruler of Paros, giving the smaller islands to faithful thugs as fiefs. In 1383 the islands then came under the control of the Crispi Dynasty followed by the Venetian Empire.

The Venetians retained their hold until 1537 when the fierce renegade admiral Khair-ed-din-Barbarossa systematically decimated the islands; this heralded the start of the Ottoman occupation. The Cycladic islands came under the rule of a puppet Duke of Naxos and while Turkish rule was harsh economically, most were spared the excesses of cruelty. The year 1821 saw the start of the Greek War of Independence, with the Cyclades providing naval support and safe harbours for refugees. In 1824 the Cyclades were incorporated into the new Greek State with the country’s leading and largest port being that of Syros. Today Ermoupolis remains the largest town and administrative centre of the Cyclades.