Folegandros - WikiHQ

Folegandros (also Pholegandros; , ) is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea that — together with Sikinos, Ios, Anafi, and Santorini — forms the southern part of the Cyclades.

The island's surface area is .

As of 2021, the island had 719 inhabitants.

Folegrandos has three small villages — Chora, Karavostasis, and Ano Meria — that are connected by a paved road. It is part of the Thira regional unit.

Mythology

According to Greek mythology, the island was said to have derived its name from a son of Minos.

History

Little is known about the ancient history of Folegandros. Its inhabitants were Dorians.

The Greek poet Aratus ( – 240 BCE) called the island the "iron Pholegandros" on account of its ruggedness. It was also noted by the ancient geographers Strabo and Ptolemy, the latter of whom called it Pholekandros ().

In 1207, the Venetian Marco Sanudo conquered the island, which remained under the rule of Venice for more than three centuries.

In 1566, the Ottoman Turks took control of the island.

In the early 19th century, during the Greek war of independence from 1821 to 1829, the Greeks reclaimed control of the island, ending more than six centuries of foreign rule.

During the 20th century, especially during the 4th of August regime from 1936 to 1941, the island was used as a place of exile for political prisoners.

Geography

Folegandros' landscape is varied, including tall cliffs and a large cave. The "capital" of the island, Chora, is built on the edge of a high cliff.

Gallery

File:Apopsi Choras Folegandrou.JPG|View of Chora

File:Folegandros-7.jpg|Chora seen from the church of Panagia

File:Folegandros-5.jpg|House of the island

File:Folegandros-kastro.jpg|Inside the "Kastro" of Chora

File:Church, Chora of Folegandros, 15M6539.jpg|Chora

File:Φολέγανδρος.jpg|Chora & the church o Panagia to the north

File:Ano Meria on Folegandros, 15M6607.jpg|Ano Meria

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References

Bibliography

Attribution

External links

Municipality of Folegandros
Beaches in Folegandros