SERIFOS

(Pocket Guide )
SERIFOS

An island of contrasts, Serifos has extensive ore deposits which have created a magnetic field on the island. An ideal destination for visitors seeking a
relaxing holiday, the island covers an area of roughly 75 square kilometers (about the same size as Syros) and a total of 10 kilometers of beaches.

The capital Hora is dotted with windmills linked by stone-paved passages that weave through the settlement. Serifos is like an observation point over the
Aegean from all its settlements, with magnificent views to Kithnos to the north, Syros to the northeast, Paros to the east, Sifnos to the southeast, and
Milos to the south.

Getting there: Daily ferry connects from Piraeus, roughly 4 hours and 15 minutes or high-speed service, about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Sailings are in
the morning (except Fridays, when there is a 4 pm sailing) so visitors can enjoy a full day on the island. The island has a heliport for emergency airlifts,
day and night, to the mainland.

HISTORY

Greek mythology contains several references to Serifos and its metal deposits. The island was colonized by the Boeotians and ruled by kings Diktys and
Polydeuces. From the 6th century B.C., the island minted its own coins.

It's also known as the place where Perseus, son of Zeus and Danae, was raised (Perseus later slayed the Medusa to rid his mother of the amorous
overtures of Polydeuces). On his journey home to Ithaca, Odysseus landed at Serifos where he encountered the Cyclops Polyphemus; the site is
marked by a rock at the entrance to Koutalas bay where ruins of Cyclopean walls are visible.

The island was also settled by the Minoans, who exploited the mines at Moutoula and Galanis. Serifos did not take part in the Greek expedition against
Troy, although the island did indirectly participate in the campaigns of Alexander the Great, a fact evidenced by the use of Serifos metals to forge their
swords. In the 7th century B.C., the island was settled by the Ionians.

There's little evidence of the island's activities in Hellenistic times. Hora's fortifications, including the thick gates or loggias with battlements along its
perimeter, attests to the island's need to fortify itself against attacks by the Turks.

In the latter half of the 19th century, Serifos returns to prominence with the exploitation of its metal deposits by foreign entrepreneurs.

The Governor's Mansion at Mega Livadi is one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in the Aegean today. There, in August 1916, the first
labor law instituted an eight-hour work day was signed following clashes between miners and police. Around the same time, the miners form a union
under Konstantinos Speras.

After the second world war, the mines faced stiff competition from European competitors and mining is no longer lucrative. Production is gradually
reduced, leading to the mines' closure in 1963. Thousands of miners abandon the island, which turns its economy towards tourism.

SIGHTS

Founded in 1976, the Serifos Folklore Museum is run by the Serifos Association and housed in a building of noteworthy architecture in Kato Hora. Its
collection features documents and artifacts - tapestries, ceramics, household furnishings, porcelain - and traditional costumes. The museum also has
space for hosting events, including a 300-seat open theater where a range of cultural events organized by the Serifos Association are held in summer.
The theater was built in 1996 to mark the association's centenary.

Sunsets at Kastro are ample reward for the trek up.

The island's Archaeological Museum has a small but interesting collection.

Kastromonastiro Taxiarhon, a fortified monastery founded in 1572 noted for its high perimeter walls and battlements and low loggia entrance, is located
on the island's northeast.

The Triple-Conch Domed Church has a pretty iconostasis and a number of wall paintings; the floor is laid with a marble plaque decorated with a two-
headed eagle and dated to 1659.

Also known as the Cyclops's throne, the White Tower (Aspros Pyrgos), and Tis Grias to Kastro, the Koutalas or Stavrakopoulos cave boasts wonderful
stalactites and stalagmites and crystallized ceramics. It's noted for the rack and rail system built on the stone tracks to carry ores from the Skales mines.

The elegant Neoclassical Governors' Mansion at Mega Livadi formerly housed the residence, offices, and other facilities of the Grohmann family,
European businessmen who held the exploitation rights to the mines through the interwar period.

The Iroo, a marble monument to the 1916 miners' uprising.

The Thermal Baths and private display of soil samples at the old school.

The underground passage to Koutalas, part of the Grohmanns' heritage to the island; exploring the passage is not recommended without the aid of an
experienced local guide.

Skala, the mine's loading area.

BEACHES

Psili Ammos

Proximity to settlement: remote

Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: less than 5 minutes
Beach: fine yellow-colored sand

Ayios Sostis
Proximity to settlement: remote
Access: by road, including about 500 m good dirt surface
Additional distance on foot: less than 10 minutes
Beach: fine sand

Sykamia
Proximity to settlement: near settlement
Access: by road, including about 500 m good dirt surface
Additional distance on foot: less than 5 minutes
Beach: fine sand and small pebbles

Platis Yialos
Proximity to settlement: at edge of settlement
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: none parking available by the beach

Lia
Proximity to settlement: remote
Access: by road, including about 500 m good dirt surface
Additional distance on foot: less than 20 minutes
Beach: small pebbles

Avlomonas
Proximity to settlement: contained within settlement
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: none, beachside parking
Beach: fine golden sand

Karavi
Proximity to settlement: at edge of small settlement
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: none
Beach: fine yellow sand, shingle

Livadakia
Proximity to settlement: in settlement
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: none
Beach: fine golden sand

Vayia
Proximity to settlement: remote
Access: by main and secondary road
Additional distance on foot: less than 5 minutes
Beach: small pebbles

Kalo Ampeli
Proximity to settlement: remote
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: more than 20 minutes
Beach: fine golden sand

Koutalas
Proximity to settlement: part of settlement
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: none, beachside parking
Beach: fine sand and small pebbles

Mega Livadi
Proximity to settlement: in settlement
Access: by road
Additional distance on foot: none, beachside parking
Beach: fine sand

Ayios Ioannis
Proximity to settlement: at edge of small settlement
Access: by main and secondary road
Additional distance on foot: less than 10 minutes
Beach: fine sand small pebbles

Kentarhos (Kalitsos)
Proximity to settlement: at edge of small settlement
Access: by main and secondary road
Additional distance on foot: stepped path, over 20 minutes
Beach: fine sand and small pebbles

EVENTS

The paniyiri, a folk festival held alongside the observance of special religious feast days and once the highlight of the island's social life, still draws locals
and residents. Tradition holds for the "sponsor" to greet and treat visitors, who enjoy the feast of local specialties - boiled goat, fava, salad, fried
potatoes, and wine - and dancing to traditional island music.

The main summer festivals are on:

● Orthodox Whit Monday at Ayia Triada at Mavra Voladia and Liomandra at Sklavoyianni.
● July 1 at Ayii Anaryiri and Kalavatsana.
● July 20 at Profitis Ilias at Vounia and Xero Horio.
● July 26 at Ayia Paraskevi at Kato Hora and Koundoura Galanis.
● August 6 at Sotiras at Pyrgos.
● August 15 at Panayia at Ramou and Skopous.
● August 16 at Panayia at Pyrgos.
● August 24 at Panayia Miliani.
● August 29 at Ayios Ioannis Prodromos at Sklavoyianni.
● September 2 at Ayios Mamas at Vounia.
● September 7 at Ayios Sostis at Ayios Sostis beach.
● September 8 at Panayia on the mountain at Palio Avessalo.
● September 14 at Pano Stavros at Palia Mitata.
● September 23 at Ayia Thekla at Sklavoyianni.
● October 29 at Ayia Anastasia at Pano Dimotamata.
● November 8 at Taxiarhon at Monastiri.

USEFUL PHONES

MUNICIPALITY OF SERIFOS 2281051210

CITIZENS SERVICE BUREAU (KEP) 2281052545
MEDICAL CENTRE 2281051202
PORT STATION 2281051470
POLICE STATION 2281051300
TAXI STATION 6944473044
BUS STATION 6973747758

ORGANIZATIONS CATALOGUE

ACCOMMODATION

ANEMOESSA PERGOLA ASTARTI

LIVADI,2281051132, 6944255409 LIVADI,2281051134 , 6936172057 LIVADAKIA,2281051042, 6977598119

MARIANNA ISALOS MEDUSA

LIVADI,2281051338, 6974727510 LIVADI,2281051990, 6942222474 LIVADI,2281051127, 6942438278

STUDIOS NINEMIAS ALEXANDROS - VASSILIA ANASTASIA

LIVADI,2281051255, 6940801907 LIVADAKIA,2281051119, 6946910840 LIVADI,2281051247, 6981636413

KRINAS S.A. SELANA APARTMENTS STUDIOS AMFITRITΙ

LIVADAKIA,2281051500, 6936848269 LIVADI,2281051750, 6942555838 LIVADI,2281052563, 6972806410

AKTI AGKYRA Rooms Cristi

LIVADI,2281051469, 6937292039 LIVADI,2281051508, 6974465147 LIVADI,2281051214, 6908937167

ANESIS II APANEMIA OLYMPIA

LIVADAKIA,2281051958, 6946219585 CHORA SERIFOU,2281051717, 6971891106 LIVADAKIA,2281051189, 6975026528

KABIA STUDIOS CAVO D' ORO ANATOLI

RAMMOS,2281051621, 6972835131 LIVADI,2281051160, 6942856354 CHORA SERIFOU,2281051510, 6947537630

NAIAS AMALIA ANESIS

LIVADI,2281051421, 6932540172 LIVADI,2281051777, 6942773134 LIVADI,2281051736, 6977625477

NIOVI Agnadi Villa AFRODITI

LIVADI,2281051900, 6937520624 LIVADI,2281051779, 6945558833 LIVADI,2281051885, 6977403834

AVLOMONAS BEACH DELFINI 2 HELIOS

LIVADI,2281051618, 6946066075 LIVADI,2281052053, 6932847556 LIVADAKIA,2281051066, 6938656403

TA DOMATIA TOU KOUREA Pounti INDIGO STUDIOS

LIVADI,6949725248, 6949725248 LIVADI,2281051752, 6948289660 LIVADI,2281052600, 6945437966

STUDIOS BOFOR KYMA Aiolos

LIVADI,2281051647, 6947200472 LIVADI,2281051830, 6932511666 LIVADI,2281052152, 6973803123

MARIETTA ALISACHNI GALINI

LIVADAKIA,2281051339, 6974014084 LIVADI,2281051914, 6973820795 CHORA SERIFOU,2281051750, 6942555838

RESTAURANTS

Sugar TO AKROGIALI TOU VITOU ISALOS ESTIATORIO

LIVADI,2281051404, 6958074873 SIKAMIA,2281051289, 6946554433 LIVADI,2281051990, 6947200471

HOTEL RIZES TOOTSIE ALONI

CHORA SERIFOU,2281052222,
LIVADI,2281051343, 6972883900 LIVADI,2281052603, 6972122279
6945151603

ALEXANDROS - VASILEIA RESTAURANT Nikoulias TIS KALIS

CHORA SERIFOU,2281052301,
LIVADAKIA,2281051119, 6946910840 SERIFOS,2281052174, 6937771130
6982925308

ERGASTIRIO
PLAKES ARTOPOIEIAS&ZACHAROPLASTIKIS TA PEZOULIA
CHORA SERIFOU,2281051913,
EMM.PELOPONNISIOS GANEMA,2281052418, 6946554433
6945011433
SERIFOS,2282052634, 6932540172

CALMA TA KAMPIA TO BAKAKAKI

CHORA SERIFOU,2281052328, 6944260576 RAMMOS,2281051621, 6972835131 LIVADI,2281051132

PORTO VECCHIO METALLEIO STOU STRATOU

LIVADI,2281052532 LIVADI,2281051755, 6944275540 CHORA SERIFOU,2281052566, 6970650811

MARATHORIZA TAKIS
CHORA SERIFOU,2281052656,
LIVADI,2281051159, 6977987630
6972016531

ENTERTAINMENT

PANO PIATSA ALEXANDROS - VASILEIA CAFE MENTA CAFE BAR

CHORA SERIFOU,2281052238, 6979986220 LIVADAKIA,2281051119, 6946910840 LIVADI,6942456731, 6942456731

PASSAGGIO YACHT CLUB SERIFOS

LIVADI,2281052212, 6972523891 LIVADI,2281051888, 6945554977

TRAVEL AGENCIES - RENTALS

KARTSONAKIS CAR RENTAL BLUE BIRD RENT A CAR BIKE

LIVADAKIA,2281051534, 6945461871 LIVADI,2281051511, 6936404404

ACTIVITIES

VESSEL SERVICE CENTRE MONI TAXIARCHON Serifos Scuba Divers

LIVADI,2281051020, 6932570552 GALANI,2281051027 LIVADI,2281052005, 6932570552

LAOGRAFIKO MOUSEIO SERIFOU

CHORA SERIFOU,2281051181

LOCAL PRODUCTS

KAVA CHALIDA GLYKAROMATA SERIFOU THE FAMILY BEEZ

CHORA SERIFOU,2281052585, 6974746443 CHORA SERIFOU,2281051456, 6971546384 CHORA SERIFOU,6979672763, 6979672763

OINOPOIEIO CHRYSOLORA
CHORA SERIFOU,2281051216, 6977275993