" IRAKLIA... THE ISLAND OF A MYTH, A SEA VISION OF SPACE AND TIME, the immensity of sea and the history of humans. Iraklia Island through the haze of legend displays its physiognomy. A vision shining in the sun as it reflects on its marble stones and the frothy sea, the sapphire shells and gulls feathers, the veins of the earth and the light reflections of the crystallized calcite"
From the book of Manolis Glezos " The consciousness of the Stone Land"
IRAKLIA ISLAND SMALL CYCLADES
Iraklia Island belongs to the Cyclades islands. In the same island group are also Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Donoussa, Folegandros, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kithnos, Koufonissi, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Schinoussa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Thirasia and Tinos.
IRAKLIA BUILDINGS
Here, in the small Iraklia Island all the buildings have been cleverly adapted to the residents daily needs and in a spectacular way have included the simple beauty of the Cycladic landscape.
Conditions for survival were hard and today we marvel at the wisdom and ingenuity of the inhabitants regarding the economy of materials which were limited due to the minimal internal spaces of their homes. Buildings were adapted to the shape of the land as deep excavations were not possible. They used the natural character of the land to provide protection against wind and cold so that their architecture became a part of the landscape and nature itself in Iraklia .
When visitors of Iraklia take a walk through a traditional settlement, they have the impression that they are in a labyrinth and that surrounded by a fascinating setting for a movie.
It is an unforgettable experience to walk through the maze of narrow cobbled streets of Iraklia Island, whitewashed facades of unsystematically built houses and churches, continuous whitewashed square, low buildings which have been built in harmony with the land.
IRAKLIA VILLAGES
There are villages in Iraklia. Agios Georgios (the port) of Iraklia Island and Panagia, also called Chora. The small picturesque port village Agios Georgios lies fantastic beautiful. Here live approximately half of the islands inhabitants.
In Agios Georgios Iraklia In the village you will find three tavernas, one bar, one supermarke cafe, and a tourist office that also contain a mishmash of many things, like a post office, atravel agency and a mini market.
In the "capital" of IrakliaPanagia the inhabitants lives a simple farmer life, here is not much for tourists;here you may find a mini market with bakery and one small taverna. In the mountain there is a small church and a windmill.
IRAKLIA BEACHES
Most of the tourists take the short walk to Livadi beach fifteen minutes from the port. It is not only the easiest beach to reach; it is also the best and longest beach on the island. Here you may find one taverna which is open during high season and a cafe bar about 500 meters from the beach offering fantastic view.Above the beach is some rests of an old fortress (Kastro) from Hellenistic time.
IRAKLIA ATTRACTIONS
Livadi Castle
Kastro (castle) of Livadi took its name from the remains of a castle dating back to the Hellenistic Period (323 b.c-316 b.c.) that has been found there.
Also, ruins of the temple of Zeus and that of the Goddess of Luck were found there. The last people lived there until 1930, when the last settlement was abandoned.
According to Greek mythology the creation of the Cyclades is attributed to the god Neptune. It is said that the god of the sea transformed the nymphs Cyclades into islands, when they angered him.
Other legends refer to their name as being derived from the word meaning circle as the islands are scattered around the sacred island of Delos or because the fierce winds forced the boats to spin.
Mythical fables are attributed to the formation of each island, while legends reflect their turbulent history. Due to the location of the Cyclades between the continents of Greece, Asia and Africa, they were a trading link throughout their history and spread the development of culture to the surrounding regions.
Agios Ioannis Cave Church
On the island is Agios Ioannis, a cave church just below Iraklias highest mountain (Papas). What does this cave so special, apart from several stalactites, is that it also functions as church. Actually it's two caves located opposite each other. The one that works as church is easy to notice since it hangs a church bell outside. You can walk here from a the port or from Chora.
The German Arado
A “relaxing” dive as the max. depth is 11m. The diving spot is a beautiful bay protected from the weather, on Iraklia Island. A dive in the history of the World War I gives you the opportunity to explore a German Arado which was shot down after dense enemy fires.The airplane was caught by fishermen nets near Santorini island on 250m and was brought on its current position.
Max depth: 11 m Bottom time: 45 min Visibility: 25 m Average water temperature: 22 C Prior dive experience: Scuba diver
Other Churches
The Holy Church of the Virgin Mary
It is rather oversized for the standards of the island. It was built next to the old church that today is called Ag. Nektarios. Building took place between 1919 and 1930, but it was completed only in recent years.
The Little Church of Prophetes Elias
It was built on the ruins of the old church by the Association of the Herakleians of Athens in 1960. The main benefactor is Sophia Vidali.
The Private Church of "Taxiarchis"
It was built by the priest Manolis Simos at the end of the 19th century. The temple of the Church is a masterpiece.
IRAKLIA USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Code for Greece: 0030 - Local Code: 22850
Iraklia Regional Council
71483
Police Station
71375
Travel Office Iraklia
6974537981
Irakliia Doctors Surgery
71388
Iraklia Rooms & Studios
71484
IRAKLIA HOTELS - ACCOMODATION
AGNADEMA HOTEL
Agnadema Hotel in Iraklia consists of comfortable rooms, all designed in a simple and elegant way.
All rooms have bath, refrigerator and the proper utensils, air-conditioning, and television and a small hot plate to prepare your coffee. All rooms have a veranda or a balcony with an amazing view of the Aegean sea.
+30 22850 71484 ,
mobile +30 6978048789,
or fax at +30 71484.
more information www.iraklia-agnadema.com
Dimitri's Rooms
consist of 6 studios. Each studio can house 2-4 people.
Each studio has a private kitchen fully equipped, a fridge, verandas, a lovely garden and a lot of parking space. Services offered include free transportation to the other village "Panagia".The studios are found in a quiet and cool place near the centre of Ag. Georgios village, 500 m from the port and beach of Ag. Georgios and 500m from the beach "Livadi".
The small car ferry Express Skopelitis sail the same route six to seven days a week during the summer months: Naxos - Iraklia - Schinoussa - Koufonissi - Amorgos (and vice versa). Three four days a week it also goes to Donoussa. Blue Star Ferries big boats go the same rout three to four days a week.
Skopelitis starts from Naxos Island at 14:00 o clock and arrives in Iraklia Island at 15:30. The cost of the ticket is about 8 euros.
Getting around the island
By feet. Scooters and small cars are rent during high season.
The scooters cost about 15 euros per day and the cars 25 euros approximately.
Iraklia Festivals
15th August in the church of Panagia in Panagia Village
· Saint George day in the church of Saint Georgios in Saint George Village.
· 28th August in Saint Johns day there is a ceremony in the cave of Saint John. Lots of people gather in the cave which is lighted by candles
·8th November the name day of Taxiarxis Michael and Gabriel there is a festival taking place in the property of Sofia Spanou and her husband Stelios
Iraklia Recipes
Stuffed Lamb Leg
Ingredients
1 (5 pound) boneless leg of lamb
salt and black pepper to taste
1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach leaves
6 ounces goat cheese, or more if needed
2 teaspoons pine nuts
kitchen twine
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Directions
Remove plastic netting or twine from around the leg of lamb, if any, and open up the roast on a cutting board. Place the boned side of the roast up. With a sharp paring knife, cut away any excess fatty areas. Use a sharp knife to cut 1/2-inch deep slits in the meat about 2 inches apart, to help the meat lie flat. Cover the meat with a sturdy piece of plastic wrap or a cut-apart food storage bag, and pound the meat with a mallet or the edge of a small plate until the roast is about 3/4 inch thick everywhere, and 10 to 14 inches square.
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Sprinkle the upper side of the meat with salt and pepper, and then spread spinach leaves over the top of the roast to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Break up the goat cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the spinach, then sprinkle the pine nuts over the cheese.
Roll the roast up into a tight cylinder, and tie the roast together with kitchen twine at 2 inch intervals. It's okay if a little stuffing protrudes from the sides of the roast.
In a flat dish, mix together the flour, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of pepper, the thyme, and the fennel seeds, and press the tied roast firmly into the flour mixture to coat all sides.
Heat the sesame oil in a heavy oven-proof or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers, and sear all sides of the roast, including the ends, to a golden brown color. Lay the roast into the skillet, place into the preheated oven, and roast to your desired degree of doneness, or an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (65 degrees C) for medium, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
IRAKLIA... THE ISLAND OF A MYTH, A SEA VISION OF SPACE AND TIME, the immensity of sea and the history of humans.
Agnadema Hotel in Iraklia consists of comfortable rooms, all designed in a simple and elegant way.
All rooms have bath, refrigerator and the proper utensils, air-conditioning, and television and a small hot plate to prepare your coffee. All rooms have a veranda or a balcony with an amazing view of the Aegean sea.
