History

Amorgos is inhabited since 4.000 BC, as the discoveries found in the hill of Moyntoylia testify. The hill dominates above the harbour of Katapolon. The 3rd millenium BC is very important for Amorgos, as Cycladic culture spreads in the island. At the beginning of the 2nd millenium BC however, it is influenced by the Minoan culture. It is the period at which the ancient city Minoa will be created and prosper, the fabulous resort of Minos, above the hill of Moyntoylia. Later followed the Myceanean culture, while afterwards in the island will colonize people from Naxos, that will establish Arkessini. In the 7th century BC, in the island came Iones from Samos, in the region of Minoa, as well as colonists from Militos and founded Egiali.
In the classic years it takes part in the Athenian Alliance and after that in 337BC depends on the Macedonian state, while maintaining relations and with the Ptolemaioys of Egypt, after the dissolution of the Macedonian Empire. Being a part of the Roman province of Asia, Amorgos becomes a place of exile for eminent Roman dignitaries and famous for the wine and her other products.
With the foundation of the Byzantine Empire, the island had already accepted the first Christians. The deterioration Byzantine and the sovereignty of pirates in the Aegean make the population move to the interior of the island until the 9th century. Two centuries later, the Emperor Alexios Komninos builds the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa.
Followingly the island knew the Venetian sovereignty and finally it fell in the hands of the Turks in 1537. With intellectual and religious centre the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, the people of Amorgos developed economically, so when the island is finally free it has 3.500 residents. In her modern history, Amorgos accomplished, even if it was affected by the immigration, to maintain her unique physiognomy.

Sights

• All over the island innumerable churches of traditional insular architecture with unique byzantine heirlooms.
• The Venetian Castle in Chora
• The archaeological collection
• The monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa build between the rocks.
• The ancient town of Minoa
• Kastri in the area of the ancient city Arkesini