Andros
Population: 9,221 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades archipelago. It is nearly 40 km (25 mi) long, and its greatest breadth is 16 km (10 mi). For the most part it is mountainous, with many fruitful and well-watered valleys. Andros is an anomaly in the bare Cyclades group because it has water, so much so, that some gets bottled for export to the mainland as Sariza mineral water, still and bubbly. This accounts for its rich vegetation and plant life.
The island is fairly undiscovered because many wealthy ship owners lived on the island and didn’t want it ruined by mass tourism. However, the shipowners couldn’t stop farmers selling off their land for development, so they decided to compromise. Andros Town where the shipping set live, is situated on the Northeast coast so they decided that Batsi, a fishing port East of Gavrio, would be developed for tourism. Since the late 60s, when this all began, Batsi has tripled in size.
The largest towns are Andros (town), Gavrio, Batsi, and Ormos Korthiou. Palaeopolis, the ancient capital, was built into a steep hillside, and the breakwater of its harbour can still be seen underwater. At the village of Apoikia, there is the notable spring of Sariza, where the water flows from a sculpted stone lion’s head. Andros also offers great hiking options with many new paths added each year.
Ferries to Andros leave from Rafina, not from Pireaus. There are daily connections to Syros, Tinos and Mykonos and less frequent ferries to many of the Cyclades though they might require an overnight stay in Syros.
The Island & Its History
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Around 5,000 years ago Andros had a fortified village on its west coast, along with the ruins of Palaeopolis, the ancient capital.
During the long centuries of Byzantine rule, Andros was relatively obscure.
In 1416, the island was raided and almost the entire population carried off by the Ottomans.
Andros suffered once again heavily from Turkish attacks during the Ottoman–Venetian War of 1463–1479.
On May 10, 1821, Theophilos Kairis, one of the leading Greek intellectuals, declared the island’s participation in the Greek War of Independence by raising the Greek flag at the Church of St George. At this time, a famous heartfelt speech, or “ritoras” (ρήτορας), inspired shipowners and merchants to contribute funds to build a Greek Navy to combat the Ottomans. At the end of the war, the island became part of the independent Kingdom of Greece.
Following Independence, Andros became a major centre of Greek shipping. In this it was helped by the arrival of refugees from Psara.
Prayer Points
- The people on the island will realize their need for God and their eyes will be opened to the truth and love of God through reading the Bible for themselves.
- The Lord will work in the lives of all the God-fearing religious people already living on this island, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
ADOPT THIS ISLAND
If you are committed to praying for this island and its region, please drop us a note, we would love to know about it and keep you posted with prayer updates!
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