Table of Contents:
ARCHITECTURE.
THE ISLAND
THE HIKES.
See the island of Andros and its Hora. The hidden treasure of sea captains and ship owners for generations. Andros is unique in that it doesn’t try to attract the masses to its shore. It is there, but they are not advertising.
There is not a lot of ancient architecture. Some may still be hiding, but most became building material for newer construction. After recycling, there are a few foundations and parts of a wall.
There are few remains from the Venetian or the Ottoman occupation. You can thank the German bombers from World War II for that. So there is nothing to see on Andros? I’m not saying that. Explore, and you will see Andros has many charms.
Architecture.
The Cycladic Islands are a somewhat circular chain of islands east of Athens in the central Aegean Sea. The architecture of the Cycladic Islands is intriguing but straightforward. At first glance, they seem generic and in no logical order.
But Andros doesn’t look like Mykonos or Santorini. Where is the maze of streets and a sea of white with blue accents? Part of that is due to the wealthy sea captains and ship owners who built their mansions here. They required a more stable construction and borrowed from the Venetian architecture.
Then in 1943, much of the island’s architecture disappeared under endless bombing attacks by the Germans.
Much of what you see today is a mixture of Venetian construction with Cycladic color schemes.
Some of the hillside villages fared better than Hora and retained their traditional charm.
Where is the White paint?
You will undoubtedly find some of the whitewashed buildings with Aegean blue trim and doors. However, the majority of buildings have pastel colors giving the towns and villages a patchwork look. Once again, more Venetian than Cycladic in style.
The Panachrantou Monastery entrance.
What’s Going on With the Streets?
In the villages, the streets meander following the topography of the area. But in Hora, many of them are straight with side streets crossing at 90-degree angles. This layout is not Cycladic. Once again, there has been a lot of rebuilding since 1943. The threat of pirates was much less during this time.
It’s slightly 40’s and a little bit… So Andros architecture is traditional, but it’s not. It’s Cycladic, but Venetian. It’s old but also new. Just enjoy it.
SEE ANDROS ISLAND
Andros is one of the prettiest Cycladic Islands due to springs on the island. Although the northern part of the island is dry and rocky, the middle and southern sections have green terraces, ravines, and woods. As you will see, Andros is not like the rest.
The Panachrantou courtyard.
Outside of mid-June to mid-September, the island has a laidback feel to it. Even during the busy summer peak, it does not get that claustrophobic feel of some islands. The ferry pier is the exception.
THE HIKES.
Andros’s destiny was to become a hiker’s destination. It has more natural sites and fewer historical ones. As the paths crisscross the island, you will undoubtedly see some historical sites along the way. But it is the vistas you will be remembering.
On the west coast, you have what few historical sites there are.
In the middle of the island, you can see Andros’s natural beauty.
In the south and east, see Andros through villages a little off the path, and deserted beaches.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Batsi was once a fishing village.
SCENIC DRIVES
