History
The hill on which the ancient city was located extends to an altitude of 327 metres. Ruins of the asty, the Anafian city-state can be seen there, the city was probably established in the 8th century BC by Dorian colonists, and dominated island life until the end of antiquity.
The city walls, as well as extensive ruins of the city’s cemetery, can be seen at Kastelli. Rich findings from the Roman period, during which the island flourished, are scattered throughout the area; one particularly impressive finding is the sarcophagus located next to the historic chapel of Panagia sto Dokari.
The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi or Panagia Kalamiotissa is located over the narrow isthmus separating the main island from the Kalamos peninsula. It is built over the eminent ancient temple of Apollo Aeglitis, which was linked to the asty by the paved Iera Odos (sections of which can still be seen today). Quite high sections of the walls of the temple itself , and its enclosure have been preserved, and incorporated into the enclosure of the modern-day Monastery.
The Monastery has functioned as a pilgrimage since the times of Turkish rule, and is well-known both within and outside Anafi. The island's most important religious feast takes place there on September 7th-8th. The seventh and eighth of September are two special days for the island. This is when the feast of Panagia Kalamiotissa, the Madonna of Anafi, takes place. Preparations for the feast start days in advance, to make sure everything is ready on the big day.
On the eve of the feast (September 7th), almost all the island's inhabitants used to gather their belongings and go to the monastery. It was like a mass house-moving event. Some went to the monastery by donkey or mule, but most of the villagers travelled there by fishing boat, if the south-westerly wind behaved. Usually, only the very elderly were left behind in Hora.
The Panagia feast is a feast for everyone. The atmosphere was at once religious and filled with the expectancy of great celebrations. Dinner was served after the church service, this always included kid from the Monastery’s flock. Then it was time for the "tsambouna" bagpipe and for dancing. On the next day, September 8th, everyone would return to Hora after the church service, and the festivities would continue in the village. Besides the inhabitants of Anafi, the religious feast was also attended by many people from Santorini, who often come on a pilgrimage to Anafi’s monastery.
The tall monolithic rock, inaccessible by sea and hard to reach by land, forms a unique natural monument for the island. It plays host to rare species of flora and has impressive geo-morphological features. The rock was inhabited, on an occasional basis, at least, in Medieval times, as a refuge from the island's numerous invaders.
The Villiage
With an open view to the Cretan Sea, Chora is the only organized settlement, in the typical Cycladic style but with its own unique features. All excursions to the island’s “secret” and visible countryside start in Chora or the port. The nearby picturesque beach of Kleisidi with its few scattered homes, and the exotic beaches of Katsouni, Mikros and Megalos Roukounas, Megas Potamos, Aghioi Anargyroi, Prassies. Kastelli, a hill with ruins of an ancient city, and Katalymatsa, the site of the ancient Roman port.
The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi (Life-giving Source) or Panagia tis Kalamiotissas, a famous Anafian pilgrimage and patron of the island. The rough peninsula of Kalamos (altitude 459 metres), with the old Kalamiotissa Monastery at its peak.
The village is densely populated and originates from medieval times. It is built amphitheatrically above the port, at an altitude of 260 metres.
With 270 inhabitants today, Chora is distinguished from the capital of other Cycladic islands due to its numerous arched single-room homes, which occupy a large area of the settlement. Narrow cobbled streets criss-cross the village, leading to the Venetian Kastro (fortress), the initial nucleus and heart of the village.
Several churches are scattered throughout Chora, including those of Agios Nikolaos, the Kimissi (Assumption), Agios Charalambos, Christos tou Stavrou (Christ of the Cross), Aghioi Anargyroi and Agios Georgios at the top of the Kastro, all with Byzantine or post-Byzantine icons.Findings from ancient Anafi can be viewed in the Archaeological Collection.
Pedestrians and animals are free to wander around, as Chora, being a traditional settlement, is off-limits to vehicles. Various taverns, a rotisserie, a bakery, a grocery store and a bar are available to the local population and visitors. Accommodation is provided by several rooms to let.
