Andros, Island in Cyclades, Greece
Andros is an island in the Andros Regional Unit, Greece, extending roughly 40 kilometers in length and rising to nearly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level at its highest point. Deep valleys cut through the landscape between steep ridges, where springs flow year-round and dense vegetation covers the slopes.
Greek settlers founded Palaeopolis as the capital and built a harbor whose stone structures remain visible underwater today. Venetian families later controlled the island and erected defensive towers along the coast to protect against pirate raids.
The name derives from the mythical hero Andros, whose ship found shelter here from a storm. Small chapels scattered across the hills display votive offerings from sailors who still light candles for safe journeys today.
Ferries from Rafina near Athens reach Gavrio port regularly, and buses connect main towns with beaches on both coasts. Paths between villages can be steep, so sturdy footwear helps when exploring the mountainous areas.
The Strofilas settlement contains Neolithic rock carvings from around 4000 BCE that depict ships and religious symbols. These carvings are among the oldest representations of seafaring in the Aegean and show that people here navigated boats very early.
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