A picnic at this wonderful viewpoint with a view of the islands of Fourni and Samos, Faros, Therma and Agios Kirykos – unforgettable!

Do you know the hike to the Acropolis of Katafigi?

Did you even know there was an acropolis in Katafigi? No? Then be sure to read this article. My insider tip: an easy, short hike rewards you with a sensational view! An easy trip on the way to the airport. The entrance is, so to speak, invisible and most people simply drive past it without realizing it. But with our instructions and “photo story” you can’t miss it…

Acropolis is the “high city” or “upper city”. An ancient Greek city always had an acropolis – even if some of them do not seem to deserve this name due to the flat terrain. For defensive purposes, a city’s early settlers chose elevations and hills, if possible with steep slopes. The Acropolis corresponded to a citadel, but over the course of history it developed from a fortification on the castle hill to a cult site with the most important sanctuaries. In many places, the early settlements developed into the centers of large cities that spread across the adjacent valleys. The most famous Acropolis is in Athens. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Acropolis of Katafigi was the seat of government during the time when ancient Therma and Oinoi (today’s Kampos near Evdylos on the north side) were capitals. From there you had a good overview of the city with the ancient spas, the entire south coast and the islands of Fourni, Samos and Patmos opposite.

After the expulsion of the Persians and the separation from the Spartans in the 5th century BC, ancient Therma joined the Attic Sea League. Many historical sources are still unclear today. However, discoveries of tax catalogs from the Attic Sea Confederation seem to clearly show that the two, possibly three capitals (Therma, Oinoi and Drakano) were subject to taxes during this time. The goals of the Sea League  were to pursue the pirates, to keep the trade routes from the Aegean to the Black Sea free and of course the final expulsion of the Persians.

The dead from Therma were reluctant to be buried near the sea, where the ground was hot from the already famous healing springs in various places. That’s why so-called air tombs are spread all over Katafigi above Therma and below the Acropolis. If you were to dig, a lot of interesting things would come to the surface. Friends of mine found several shards of clay jars on the Acropolis hill.

A trip on the way to the airport

by Edith Bühler Jud, report and photos

If you drive down from the top of the pass towards the capital Agios Kyrikos, after about 500 meters you will find the turnoff on the left, marked “Airport”, Katafigi/Faros in Greek and “Archeological Site” on a brown board. Turn left there.

(If you come the other way from the airport or Faros, note the turnoff towards Katafigi on the right, halfway between Faros and Therma. Steeply up towards the mountain.)

The road curves down, do not turn left to “Xylnio”, but continue down past the large village church. Soon afterwards you will see a wide hill in front of you on the sea side, on which a striking wall snakes up. You can park in the large space below the hill.

There is a gate slightly hidden in the thicket.

From there it is very easy to find the way up. It takes about 20 minutes to easily climb along the wall. At the top you can find your own way like a goat and explore the hill. Unfortunately, you can no longer see anything of an acropolis.

According to the writings, excavations have been carried out. Some found objects are exhibited in the museum in Agios Kyrikos.

View of Therma and Agios Kirykos

Unfortunately the column in the last picture is not antique, it would be nice. It must be a military calculation point, I’ve seen several of them on the island.