GREECE 2008 !!! - Cyclades island - Sifnos -

Sifnos is an island of the
archipelago of the Cyclades and
it is at 150kms of Athens's
port (Piraeus) away.



Surface : 74 km2.
2 442 inhabitants (as of 2001).
Capital : Appollonia.





Sifnos was very wealthy in ancient times, thanks to its gold and silver mines. Proof of this, is the treasury
which the Siphnians built at Delphi in the 6th century BC to house their offerings.
However, it appears that something went wrong with the mines; either they were worked out or flooded
by the sea -we do not know which- and their production ceased.

Due to the physiology of the island (rich clay veins, sunny weather and temperature) Sifnos has been
traditionally the capital of pottery in the Aegean, with unique jars and pots that are a kind of "trademark"
of the island.
They are frequent the Sifnian everyday life, such as ashtrays, cooking and food vessels, "masteles",
"foufoudes" (kind of chimneys) etc.
Locally, 'Sifnios' was a variant word for potter. Initially the oldest potteries were found in central regions
such as Artemon and Ano Petali to avoid pirate attacks.

Itinerary :

Kamares, Artemonas, Apollonia, Kastro, Apollonia, Cheronissos, Faros, Profitis Ilias, Kamares.

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