
Attractions - Alonissos

Palio Chorio or Medieval Town
Palio Chorio is the old capital of Alonissos, built on top of a hill, overlooking all points of the horizon, at a distance of 3 kilometers from Patitiri. Like all the Aegean islands, Alonissos was plagued by piracy in all historical periods, which pushed the inhabitants to the hill, where they built the castle and inside it their houses. There is insufficient information on exactly when the castle was built, however we know that from 1735 onwards the Chora began to expand outside the walls, until 1965 when the earthquake forced the inhabitants to abandon it and move to Patitiri.

Patitiri
Patitiri is the central port and capital of Alonissos, where most of the island's inhabitants live. It was built after the 1965 earthquake that destroyed the Old Village or Chora, a fact that is evident in the architecture of the houses, which are mostly new. Surrounded by a green natural environment, Patitiri has a unique peaceful atmosphere, which makes it ideal for a relaxing holiday. Narrow whitewashed streets and stairs give a special note to this small port with its crystal clear green waters.

Saints Anargyri
On the north side of the island is the small church of Aghii Anargyri on the edge of the cliff, to which a small path leads through the forest. According to tradition, the Alonissians had chosen another spot to build the monastery, but the icon disappeared at night and was found in the morning at the current spot. This happened several times and so it was decided to build on this spot.
Initially it functioned as a monastic center, which is proven by the ruins of cells and auxiliary spaces, and it belonged to the Monastery of Megistis Lavra. The style of the church is a single-aisled basilica with a dome and at the four corners there are built-in ceramic pitchers for better acoustics.
Initially it functioned as a monastic center, which is proven by the ruins of cells and auxiliary spaces, and it belonged to the Monastery of Megistis Lavra. The style of the church is a single-aisled basilica with a dome and at the four corners there are built-in ceramic pitchers for better acoustics.

Historical and Folklore Museum
The Museum is a private endeavor of Kostas and Angela Mavriki. It was established in 2000 and is located to the left of the port in Patitiri. In this four-story stone building you can admire a collection of pirate exhibits with many items from the pirate ships of the 16th and 18th centuries, items from the resistance and the Greek war of 1821, and general exhibits from the history of the island.

Church of Christ
Going up the alleys of the Old Village you will definitely meet her. It is the largest of the Castle and was built in the 17th century. Its architecture has strong signs of Venetian influence and is a single-aisled basilica with a dome that is covered with Peliorite tiles.
In the 1965 earthquake, it did not suffer serious damage, while the wood-carved iconostasis is impressive inside. Also the icons kept in the temple are interesting and there are three from the 17th century as well as fifteen from the 18th-19th centuries.
In the 1965 earthquake, it did not suffer serious damage, while the wood-carved iconostasis is impressive inside. Also the icons kept in the temple are interesting and there are three from the 17th century as well as fifteen from the 18th-19th centuries.

Amphorae at Tsoukalia site
Important archaeological data emerges at the coastal sites of "Tsoukalia", "Kalamaki" and "Vamvakies" where there are amphora workshops, which were filled with local wine and loaded onto commercial ships. In the "Tsoukalia" bay in particular, the sight of the scattered amphorae and the sealed handles marked "IKION" is impressive, testifying to the area of wine production activity and the manufacture of amphorae intended for the export of local wine. In addition to the beach right next to it you will also see the fenced area with the pieces from the pottery hence the name of the beach.

Alonissos National Marine Park
The National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades was established by Presidential Decree on May 16, 1992. It is the first natural marine park in Greece. It is also the largest European marine park, occupying an area of approximately 2,260 square meters. kilometers. In the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades there is a unique combination of terrestrial and marine habitats with hundreds of species of plants and animals, as well as important archaeological and historical monuments.
Beyond the marine area, the park includes the island of Alonissos, six smaller islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Gioura, Psathoura, Piperi and Skandzoura), as well as 22 uninhabited islets and rocky areas.
Beyond the marine area, the park includes the island of Alonissos, six smaller islands (Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Gioura, Psathoura, Piperi and Skandzoura), as well as 22 uninhabited islets and rocky areas.

Cave of Cyclops in Jura
In Giura, the small uninhabited islet located 16 nautical miles north of Alonissos, is the largest cave of the Northern Sporades, which according to legend, was the cave of the Homeric Cyclops Polyphemus. The cave is located at an altitude of 150 meters, the dimensions of the chamber are 40 by 50 meters and its height reaches 15 meters.
Systematic excavations carried out during the 1990s brought to light remains of habitation from different periods, with the most important and interesting being the finds dating from the 9th to the 7th millennium BC, which are the first findings of this period in the Aegean.
Οι συστηματικές ανασκαφές που πραγματοποιήθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της δεκαετίας του 1990, έφεραν στο φως λείψανα κατοίκησης διάφορων εποχών, με πιο σημαντικά και ενδιαφέροντα τα ευρήματα που ανάγονται από την 9η έως την 7η χιλιετία π.Χ., τα οποία είναι τα πρώτα ευρήματα αυτής της περιόδου στο Αιγαίο.
Systematic excavations carried out during the 1990s brought to light remains of habitation from different periods, with the most important and interesting being the finds dating from the 9th to the 7th millennium BC, which are the first findings of this period in the Aegean.
Οι συστηματικές ανασκαφές που πραγματοποιήθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της δεκαετίας του 1990, έφεραν στο φως λείψανα κατοίκησης διάφορων εποχών, με πιο σημαντικά και ενδιαφέροντα τα ευρήματα που ανάγονται από την 9η έως την 7η χιλιετία π.Χ., τα οποία είναι τα πρώτα ευρήματα αυτής της περιόδου στο Αιγαίο.

Lighthouse in Psathoura
The Psathoura lighthouse was built in 1895 after the wreck of a Danish ship that ran aground: these dry days were very dangerous for navigation and something had to be done. It was built on the plans of French engineers, from Skopelite stones that used stone from the island while only the marble steps and another softer and easier to cut stone were transported for the edges of the building and the openings. It is 26 meters high, 40 meters above sea level and is one of the largest lighthouses in Greece with a range of 17 nautical miles.
Sources: taxidologio.gr & taxydromos.gr