Ios, Ancient island settlement in Cyclades, Greece
Ios is an island in the southern Cyclades within the Aegean Sea, covering about 109 square kilometers (42 square miles) with steep coastal slopes and numerous coves. Settlement clusters in the village of Chora, which spreads across several hills, while the port of Gialos sits in a sheltered bay and the rest of the terrain is covered with rock and low scrub.
The earliest traces of human settlement reach back to the Neolithic period, when small farming communities formed along the coast. During antiquity the island developed into a stopover for merchant ships traveling between the larger Cycladic islands and Crete.
The name comes from wild violets that once covered the hillsides in spring and caught the attention of sailors approaching from the sea. Today windmills from the 19th century shape the skyline of Chora, the main village, which rises in terraces above the harbor.
Ferries dock at Gialos harbor several times a week, connecting the island to Athens and neighboring Cycladic islands such as Naxos and Santorini. Most paths in Chora consist of narrow lanes with steps, so sturdy footwear is recommended for walking explorations.
A steep rocky summit called Pyrgos rises to about 713 meters (2,339 feet) and offers clear views of several neighboring islands such as Sikinos and Folegandros on cloudless days. The climb passes through abandoned farmsteads and dry stone walls that show remnants of old terracing.
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