ANAFI ISLAND
GIBRALTAR OF THE AEGEAN
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GEOGRAPHY
Anafi is located in Cyclades, east of Santorini and is one of the most south-eastern islands of the complex. The capital of the island is the region of the same name, Anafi. It is 150 nautical miles from Piraeus. It is a generally mountainous island with strong coastal fragmentation but without large coves. It has a triangular shape, an eastern peninsula and a total surface of 38.3 sq. km. The climate of Anafi, like Santorini, is hot desert and is considered unique in Europe.
The highest peak is Vigla with an altitude of 582 m., followed by Kalamos at 386 m., Agios Ioannis o Theologos at 350 m., Kasteli and Prophet Elias. There are no rivers on the island, only torrents.
In Anafi, pumice stone has been found, allegedly a product of the great eruption of the Santorini volcano in 1500 BC. In addition, minerals such as galena, smithsonite, iron and lead have been identified in the subsoil.
The population of Anafi amounts to 271 inhabitants, while in 1850 it numbered 1000 inhabitants.
The name of the island is attributed either a) to the myth of the Argonauts, according to which the Argonauts, as they were returning from the Argonautic expedition and while they were in danger of a great storm, the island suddenly appeared in front of them and they gave it the name Anafi, or
b) in the non-existence of snakes (a-steretic + ophis), or
c) to the Phoenician Bohart who claims that the name Anaphi is Phoenician and which means dark, deep shadow (non-mainstream view).
HISTORY
Mythology:
According to Greek Mythology, the Argonauts, while returning to their homeland from Colchis, fell into a storm and were swept into the open sea and begged the god Apollo to save them. Then Apollo spread light in the form of lightning, with the result that the Argonauts saw an entire island emerging from the sea in front of them, on which they ended up. There they erected an altar in honor of Apollo of "Aiglitis" (= he who shines, Aigli) and named the island Anaphi (from the verb anaphaino).
History:
Regarding the historical course of the island, in ancient times in Anafi there was a sanctuary and a temple of Apollo of Aiglitis or Astealta or Anaphaios, while Callimachus mentions the island under the name Aiglitis. In the precincts of this sacred temple of Apollo there were also altars of other deities such as Artemis, Aphrodite, Asclepius and Zeus of "Ctesius". Today, the Monastery of Panagia Kalamiotissa has been erected at the higher point. The road that connected the ancient sanctuary with the ancient city was called "sacred road". In addition, Anafi was considered the home of Aeolos, god of the winds. In ancient times, the festivals of Carnia and Hyacinthia were celebrated.
It is said that the Phoenicians also passed through Anafi in their search for new places of permanent settlement, under the leadership of Mevliaros, hence Anafi was called Mevliaros or Vliaros.
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During the 5th c. BC. Anafi became a member of the Athenian Alliance. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Duchy of Naxos and was ruled by Venetian rulers, who, because they could not rid it of pirates, led to many residents fleeing to Crete. Then, in 1537, Anafi was plundered by Barbarossa and enslaved by the Turks. Subsequently, the inhabitants actively participated in the Greek Revolution of 1821, while the island was incorporated into the Greek state in 1832.
Then, due to the fact that the Anafiotes were the best builders of Greece, several inhabitants moved from the island to Athens by order of King Othonas, to build the palaces. Specifically, they settled at the foot of the Acropolis and created their own neighborhood, "Anafiotika" as it is still known today, which was a miniature of their island.
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Beaches & Villages


Accommodation
Activities

ROUTE PLANNER
HOW TO GET THERE
Anafi is connected by ferry with Piraeus and Lavrio. The route distance is about 10 hours. Also the island is connected by ferry with Santorini and the trip duration is about 1h30.
HOW TO GET AROUND
In Anafi you can move with your private vehicle, the busses of the island and also you can rent a car, a motorbike, a bicycle or a taxi.
CAFES - BARS
RESTAURANTS
CAFES - BARS
APOLLON BLUE CAFE – ARGO – VITHOS – MADRES BAR – KAPOU STO AIGAIO
RESTAURANTS
AGNANDI – AKROGYALI – ANEMOS – ARMENAKI – ASTRAKHAN – THOLOS – LIOTRIVI – MARGARITA – PETRINO – STEKI
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