Andros is mountainous and it is criss-crossed with a number of mountain ridges. All of these ridges run parallel to one another from southwest to northeast. Between the ridges there are deep valleys and sometimes steep gorges. The highest summits are the Kouvára (with the Profítis Ilías at 997 m) and the Pétalo (990 m), in the centre of the island, between the towns of Ano Aprovátou and Vourkotí. Because of this relief the north-south connections on the island are rather difficult. Except for the main coastal road, most of the roads thus run into the valleys, from the southwest of the island to the northeast.
Andros is a unique island for a number of different reasons. First of all, in comparison with many of the other Cycladic isles, there is a lot of water – and this thanks to the relative high amount of rainfall and the multitude of sources. As a result, some of the valleys are remarkably green. Especially the pine tree dominates the landscape (for instance in the neighbourhood of Ménites). There are also lots of remnants of watermills in the valleys of the Dipotámata (between the towns of Exo Vouní and Sinetí), in the valley of the Mégalo Révma (in the north), etc.
The second remarkable characteristic is the architecture of some of the villages, which is not really Cycladic. Andros is a very wealthy island and this is partly the result of generations of ship owners. The villages of Chóra and Steniés are therefore striking because of the large and wealthy houses. The red roofs resemble the Italian cities and also some Greek islands such as the island of Sími near Rhódos.
To read more, please visit cycladen.be
XpatAthens
Tuesday, 24 December 2019 11:32
The Festive Wish Lanterns Of Volos
If you happen to be in Volos during Christmas time, you might get the opportunity to witness a beautiful long-standing tradition. On the night of December 26th, people gather along the seaside promenade and propel thousands of wish lanterns into the sky!
The lanterns represent Christmas wishes, and people hope that when they reach the sky, they will be fulfilled.
We hope all your wishes come true!
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Videos
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Monday, 23 November 2020 12:23
XpatAthens Welcomes MASARESI As An Official Content Contributor
XpatAthens works with writers, bloggers, cultural platforms, and local media houses in order to give our readers unique, useful, and up-to-date content.
We are always looking to meet and connect with new content contributors. If you believe that your content would be a positive addition to XpatAthens, click here to learn more about working with us!
We are very happy to welcome MASARESI
as an official XpatAthens content contributor.
About MASARESI
Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.
Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek
Published in
Local News
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Wednesday, 06 October 2021 21:56
Gordon, Gino & Fred Go Greek: Yiayia's Hilarious Reaction To Gordon Ramsay's Food
Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix Go Greek!
Their RV hits the beautiful Greek islands and historical city of Athens, for a big fat Greek adventure, together again behind the wheel on an epic odyssey like no other.
The guys begin their adventure in Crete, Greece’s largest island, before navigating their way to stunning Santorini, making their way to the party island of Mykonos and finishing their trip in the Greek capital Athens and the monasteries of Meteora.
One of the series' highlights is when Yiayia Catrina from Santorini, renowned for her legendary Moussaka tastes Gordon’s Salsa Verde and criticizes how much salt Gordon has added.
The guys begin their adventure in Crete, Greece’s largest island, before navigating their way to stunning Santorini, making their way to the party island of Mykonos and finishing their trip in the Greek capital Athens and the monasteries of Meteora.
One of the series' highlights is when Yiayia Catrina from Santorini, renowned for her legendary Moussaka tastes Gordon’s Salsa Verde and criticizes how much salt Gordon has added.
Gino says: “Today there is one thing that we all learned, even god can make mistakes. If he can make mistakes like that - we all have a chance in life!”
Originally posted on itv.com
Originally posted on itv.com
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 28 March 2022 07:00
Greece Adds Zeibekiko Dance & Bouzouki To Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The zeibekiko dance and the popular musical instruments bouzouki, tzouras, and baglamas have been included on Greece’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, the Greek Culture Ministry recently announced.
“The zeibekiko dance, the bouzouki, and similar musical instruments identify with Greece and its folk tradition. They played a leading role in Greek folk music during the 20th century,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.
According to Mendoni, the bouzouki, tzouras, and baglamas are the most renowned Greek musical instruments abroad.
The zeibekiko dance
The zeibekiko was developed in large urban centers of Greece, mainly port cities including Piraeus, Patra, Syros, Thessaloniki, Volos, Chania, and Kavala among others, and the eastern Aegean islands.
The bouzouki instrument
The bouzouki was brought to Greece in the early 1900s by Greek refugees from Anatolia and quickly became the central instrument to the rebetiko genre and its music branches. It is now an important element of modern laïko pop Greek music.
The tzouras and baglamas instruments
Also added to Greece’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List are the tzouras and baglamas. The two musical instruments are both connected to Greece’s folk tradition and associated with the zeibekiko dance.
The tzouras is related to the bouzouki. It is made in six-string and eight-string varieties.
The baglamas is a smaller version of the bouzouki pitched an octave higher, with unison pairs on the four highest strings and an octave pair on the lower D. Musically, the baglamas is most often found supporting the bouzouki in the Piraeus city style of rebetiko.
To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr
“The zeibekiko dance, the bouzouki, and similar musical instruments identify with Greece and its folk tradition. They played a leading role in Greek folk music during the 20th century,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.
According to Mendoni, the bouzouki, tzouras, and baglamas are the most renowned Greek musical instruments abroad.
The zeibekiko dance
The zeibekiko was developed in large urban centers of Greece, mainly port cities including Piraeus, Patra, Syros, Thessaloniki, Volos, Chania, and Kavala among others, and the eastern Aegean islands.
The bouzouki instrument
The bouzouki was brought to Greece in the early 1900s by Greek refugees from Anatolia and quickly became the central instrument to the rebetiko genre and its music branches. It is now an important element of modern laïko pop Greek music.
The tzouras and baglamas instruments
Also added to Greece’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List are the tzouras and baglamas. The two musical instruments are both connected to Greece’s folk tradition and associated with the zeibekiko dance.
The tzouras is related to the bouzouki. It is made in six-string and eight-string varieties.
The baglamas is a smaller version of the bouzouki pitched an octave higher, with unison pairs on the four highest strings and an octave pair on the lower D. Musically, the baglamas is most often found supporting the bouzouki in the Piraeus city style of rebetiko.
To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 11 April 2024 10:43
Ancient Greek Roots Of The Olympic Torch Relay
In the cradle of civilization, where mythology intertwines with history, the flame of the Olympic Games first flickered to life. Rooted in the ancient traditions of Greece, the Olympic torch relay stands as a modern-day homage to the sacred bond between humanity and the divine.
The origins of the Olympic flame date back to ancient Olympia, where the Games were first held in 776 B.C. to honor Zeus, king of the gods. According to legend, a flame burned perpetually on an ancient shrine, erected by the ancient Greeks to honor Hera and nestled within the cypress-shaded sanctuary of Olympia, symbolizing the eternal spirit of the Games and the enduring pursuit of excellence.
Before the start of each Olympiad, a procession of priestesses, clad in flowing white robes adorned with laurel wreaths, would ignite a torch using the rays of the sun, carrying the sacred flame to the host city of the Games. Legend has it that they used a skaphia, a crucible positioned to capture the sun's rays. As sunlight converged within the vessel, it set ablaze on the dry grass, birthing the eternal symbol of the Olympic spirit.
The tradition of the Olympic flame was rekindled in the modern era during the 1928 Amsterdam Games, where it burned fervently at the entrance to the Olympic Stadium, captivating the public's imagination. Conceived by Dr. Carl Diem of Germany, the modern Torch Relay drew inspiration from ancient Greek depictions and the writings of Plutarch. Dr. Diem's vision materialized in the form of the first relay, stretching from Olympia to Berlin as part of the grand Opening Ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games. On July 20, 1936, a Greek torchbearer named Konstantin Kondylis embarked on a historic journey, igniting a tradition that would become an integral facet of every subsequent Olympic Games.
Before the start of each Olympiad, a procession of priestesses, clad in flowing white robes adorned with laurel wreaths, would ignite a torch using the rays of the sun, carrying the sacred flame to the host city of the Games. Legend has it that they used a skaphia, a crucible positioned to capture the sun's rays. As sunlight converged within the vessel, it set ablaze on the dry grass, birthing the eternal symbol of the Olympic spirit.
The tradition of the Olympic flame was rekindled in the modern era during the 1928 Amsterdam Games, where it burned fervently at the entrance to the Olympic Stadium, captivating the public's imagination. Conceived by Dr. Carl Diem of Germany, the modern Torch Relay drew inspiration from ancient Greek depictions and the writings of Plutarch. Dr. Diem's vision materialized in the form of the first relay, stretching from Olympia to Berlin as part of the grand Opening Ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games. On July 20, 1936, a Greek torchbearer named Konstantin Kondylis embarked on a historic journey, igniting a tradition that would become an integral facet of every subsequent Olympic Games.
Since its revival, the Olympic torch relay has paid homage to its Greek roots, tracing a path from Olympia to the host city of the Games, passing through historic landmarks and ancient ruins along the way. The torchbearers, adorned in ceremonial attire reminiscent of ancient Greek athletes, don traditional tunics and sandals, their heads crowned with wreaths of olive leaves, symbolizing victory and peace.
Memorable moments from past torch relays harken back to the glory of ancient Greece, evoking the spirit of Olympians who once competed in the shadow of Mount Olympus. From the sun-drenched shores of the Aegean Sea to the rugged peaks of the Peloponnese, the torch has journeyed across the land of its birth, echoing the footsteps of ancient athletes who once vied for glory in the stadium of Olympia.
As the flame passes from hand to hand, it carries with it the hopes and aspirations of generations past and present, uniting people in a shared celebration of human achievement. In its flickering light, we find a timeless connection to the spirit of ancient Greece, where the pursuit of excellence was not merely a competition but a divine calling, worthy of the gods themselves.
In reviving the ancient tradition of the Olympic torch relay, we pay homage to the legacy of ancient Greece, where the flame of the Games first illuminated the hearts and minds of humanity. Today, as we gather to witness the passing of the torch, let us remember the enduring spirit of the Olympians who came before us, and the timeless ideals they embodied.
Main Image Credit: @xws.studio
Main Image Credit: @xws.studio
Published in
Greek Philosophy & History
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Saturday, 07 February 2015 13:28
Hopscotch International Kindergarten
Established in 1997, Hopscotch International Kindergaten is located in a quiet area of Vari behind Jumbo, surrounded by 1000 square metres of garden. We are a dedicated English speaking Nursery and Kindergarten. With our open door policy and small groups, we offer a warm and welcoming environment for children and parents alike. We accept children from the age of two and offer a fun packed, full, activity based day, either on a full time or a part time basis and we accept registrations throughout the year.
By following the British Early Years Foundation Programme, we fully prepare our reception/kindergarten children for entry into all the English speaking schools' first grades.
If you would like to experience our unique environment for yourself, please feel free to call and make an appointment.
Contact: Helena Scott
Published in
Private Nursery Schools
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Wednesday, 18 February 2015 12:48
Andros
Andros is the northern- most island of the Cycladic isles. The islands of Kéa, Kýthnos, Sérifos and Sífnos can be seen as a natural continuation in the sea of the peninsula of Attika; in the same way, the nearby islands of Andros, Tínos and Mýkonos can be seen as the foothills of the mountain ridge of the island of Evia (Euboia).
Published in
Travel Greece
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Thursday, 19 February 2015 14:05
Thousands On The Streets Against EU Austerity
Under the organizing title "Breath of Dignity", standing in front of parliament, protesters unfurled banners reading "Bankrupt but Free" and "Stop Austerity, Support Greece, Change Europe." Satellite demonstrations took place in Brussels, at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, in Venice and elsewhere in Europe.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeted a picture of the Athens protest, saying: "In the cities of Greece and Europe the people are fighting the negotiation battle, They are our strength."
Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis was attending a meeting of his euro zone peers in Brussels to press for a new debt deal and an end to many of the tough reforms required by the bailout deal.
Protesters in Athens singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has led demands for Athens to keep promises made by the last conservative-led government under the deal.
To read more, please visit thetoc.gr/eng
By Theo Ioannou
Published in
Local News
Tagged under
Wednesday, 29 April 2015 09:53
Good News For Greek Olive Oil
Warehouse wholesale company Costco has switched the sourcing of the extra virgin olive oil that goes into its Kirkland Signature 2-liter bottle from Italian sources, to providers from Greece.
This is good news for providers in Greece who have felt the punch of the financial crisis and even better news for the recognition Greek olive oil deserves.
The move across the Ionian Sea comes amid an apocalyptic season for Italy’s olive groves. A hot spring, a rainy summer and a pesky olive-eating fly conspired to create what Italian daily La Repubblica called “the black year of Italian olive oil.”
Production in Italy is expected to drop 34 percent this year, according to the International Olive Oil Council.
Prices have gone up accordingly: Italian extra-virgin olive oil in March was sold by producers for about $2.97 a pound, 84 percent more than a year earlier, according to the council.
For Costco, the reasoning appears to be purely financial— and not because Greek olive oil is far superior to its Italian counterpart. That drastic price hike must have been tough to swallow for the company that’s always looking for a good deal.
Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said the availability of the extra-virgin olive oil Costco usually purchases from Italy is down to one-tenth of the normal level.
To read more, please visit: PappasPost
Published in
Local News
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Friday, 27 November 2015 07:00
Yussuroum, A Slang Term That Hides Fragments Of History
The stories about Athens and its people are endless. Many of them have faded from memory over time. Others are remembered in fragments that come together at some point for the story to be told. The case of the Yussuroum family is one such Athenian tale. As charming as it is distant, the family name has retained its currency in everyday usage: Yussuroum (also rendered as giousouroum) in Greek has come to mean flea market.
The Athens Jewish community held an event in October in honor of Mois Yussuroum, aged 95, for his voluntary service over the decades. A garden in the community’s synagogue was named after the benefactor and the event, held on the initiative of the Jewish Museum in Athens and the Jewish community, was an occasion to bring back to light the history of the Yussuroum family.
While many Greeks use the term yussuroum when referring to a flea market, few know that it stems from this family and, in particular, from the antique market it created in the Jewish quarter of central Athens. Mois Yussuroum is the descendant of a long line of successful merchants with a presence in Athens. The Yussuroum home on Karaiskaki and Ermou streets was located in the middle of the city center’s commercial district and also housed the capital’s first synagogue. This was the heart of the Jewish quarter, which lay between Aghion Asomaton Square, Sarri and Ermou streets.
To read more, please visit: Ekathimerini
Published in
People
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