There is an interesting place among the Greek islands. And this is the island of Ikaria. Here people are so happy that they forget how old they are. An interesting fact, here every third inhabitant has already celebrated his 90th anniversary. And you won’t surprise anyone. Interesting people don't seem to notice their years. They are young in mind and body.
Ikaria is a good and interesting place for a relaxing holiday, there is no need to rush here. Here you just have to enjoy every moment and moment. There are no noisy tourist streams here. No traffic jams and harmful industries. Life itself slows down. Here you slow down, calm down, you don't need to rush anywhere, everything happens by itself without stress and tension. Even so, people here live happily and happily. They warmly welcome guests and radiate the energy of kindness themselves.
Interesting nature itself helps the longevity of local residents. Mountains with the cleanest air. Lots of greenery. A diet made from natural and genuine products. Mainly greens are vegetables, fruits and fish. Meat only on holidays. Ikaria can rightfully be called a fishing place. There is a lot of seafood here. And the delicious wine. Almost every family makes wine. It is customary to go on a visit with a bottle of good.
Maybe nature and interesting food are the secret of long-livers?
Greek myths tell about an amazing island. He took his name from Icarus, the son of Daedalus. According to legend, he died very close to Ikaria. And he died because ………. If you are wondering why, then I will write. Only if there are 10 comments with the phrase "How did Icarus die?"
An interesting fact - earlier the waters south of Ikaria were called the "Sea of Icarus".
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One of the ancient names of the island is Ichthyoessa. What in translation means - "Fish place". And the catch here is always gloriously rich. As I said earlier, seafood never leaves residents' tables.
Interesting facts, almost 10,000 people now live on Ikari. This Greek island is part of the Eastern Sporades archipelago and is located in the Aegean Sea.
Amazing and interesting nature and fabulous beaches attract many tourists from all over the world. In addition to beauty, the mysterious caves scattered throughout the island attract. If you can call it one of the main attractions of the island. Surprisingly, not all of them have been studied. Even the locals do not know their exact number, and even more so that it is located there. Many legends are associated with them.
Do not forget about other interesting places on the island. Healing mineral waters and springs have been famous throughout the world since antiquity. The ancient Greeks were the first to notice the healing properties of local waters.
According to the excavations, the first interesting people were here 10,000 years BC. These were the times of the harsh Neolithic era.
In the UN report, the island of Ikaria is one of the rare "blue zones" of our planet. This definition means that people here live happily ever after.
Scientific research from the Greek University of Athens shows that Ikarians live to 90 years of age 2.5 times more often than the average European. And they do not just live, and live out their day. In terms of physical indicators, they can give odds to the average resident of the European Union 40-50 years old. There is very little oncology here and there are almost no such senile diseases as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
An interesting fact, since ancient times Ikaria has been famous as a health resort for the Greek peoples. And in most cases, thanks to the healing waters. Some of them are very interesting. Some sources are radioactive. It was believed that the water from these places relieves various pains, treats compounds, helps with diseases of the urolithiasis, and so on.
You always have to fight for happiness. So the locals have been fighting pirates and invaders for almost the entire last 2000 years. For this reason, they went to the mountains and erected their settlements on impregnable rocks. Themselves, without suspecting, they fell into the areola favorable to human health.
Thanks to these factors, people led an interesting lifestyle. For a long time, living in their artificial isolation from the outside world, the natives began to perceive different things in a different way. And this is good. They became unbridled optimists. They loved holidays and festivities. As a result, the quality of life has increased and the stress has almost disappeared.
Residents of Ikaria, probably according to the regime of the day "Owls". Since not one normal Ikarian will go to bed before midnight.
They have everything they need. And they are a good example for the famous saying that rich is not the one who has a lot of money, but the one who has few needs. Money? Come on, why are they to interesting people who have everything. Yes, I think they have everything. And “Everything” in my understanding is happiness and health. And they work, getting great pleasure. The truth is not much and not hard.
Each family has its own garden and vegetable garden. There are both natural vegetables and fruits without chemicals and GMOs. In addition to the wine mentioned above, the island produces high-quality olive oil.
Among the favorite drinks, in addition to interesting and tasty wine, they use herbal teas rich in vitamins and antioxidants. They are excellent diuretics. Lowering blood pressure is a good side effect.
An interesting fact, there is almost no sugar and flour in the diet. The most popular sweet is honey and its products. They eat it almost every day with tea.
Do not forget about the social life of the residents. Surely it also contributes to a good and long life. Here neighbors are perceived differently. And not like here and in other parts of the world.
An interesting fact: one of the wisest and oldest inhabitants of which, for 100 years, says that the secret in the longevity of the Ikarians is simple. "We just forget to die, we never have a lot of fun things to do."
Let's go through interesting places
Interesting beaches of the island
Ikaria has an individual beauty not like other islands in the Aegean Sea. Interesting nature is filled with a large number of grasses and bushes, beautiful mountains, transparent rivers, ravines. An interesting fact, the most beautiful and interesting places are the beaches. They surround almost the entire island from all sides. Guests and locals alike particularly like the following: Armenistis, Demonopetra, Kambos, Livadi, Nas, Ormos Nimfi, Prioni, Terma, Kerame, Faros and Seychelles. The last most popular and demanded beach in Ikaria. Looking at the photo, I conclude that it is clean and beautiful not where they clean, but where beauty and nature are respected. Conclusion, therefore, do not litter. Russians take an example, otherwise almost every beach and body of water in our country resembles a landfill.
Let's return to no less interesting places, the caves of Ikaria.
As I said earlier, there are many beautiful and interesting caves on the island. Even the aborigines themselves do not know about the existence of many. An interesting fact, in most of the caves traces of unknown rituals and ceremonies were found. I think the Ikarians hide a lot and do not tell. Each cave has its own interesting story and even myth. The most famous and frequently visited of them: Katafigio near the settlement of Katafigi, located near the temple of St. Nicholas; Protari near the village of Glaredo; Halaris in the village of Chrysostomo; Spileo in the city of Faros; Drakospilo in Perdiki; Parafiri is also in Chrysostomo; Lukaraos to Drutsula; Alama in Akamatra. These are the most interesting and often mentioned.
Places of healing and medicinal waters
In fact, only because of the living water began to populate the island. The ancient Greeks were the first to discover this secret. People of different professions and estates flocked here. Everyone is in search of recovery and healing in the wonderful waters of Ikaria. An interesting fact - the famous Greek Herodotus discovered and studied the first healing springs. Later he wrote more than one work and a treatise dedicated to the living ode of Ikaria.
Everyone is encouraged to visit the following interesting places with mineral waters: Thermo; Chlio-Thermo; Askilipiu; St. Kiriku; Spileu Pamphili; Kratz; Artemidos and Apollonos.
"Immortal Water" is the name of one of the healing springs. Not even alive, but immortal. The waters of this place help from urolithiasis, stones and sand in the kidneys and also heals cysts.
Interesting cities and resorts of Ikaria
Agios Kirikos is the island capital of Ikaria. An interesting attraction here is the Church of St. Kyrik. Also, tourists and guests are attracted to Agios Kirikos by the Ethnic History Museum. After leaving the city and having driven almost three kilometers, we arrive at a resort with healing springs called Terma. The boom on this place was in the distant 1960s, people literally made pilgrimages to Termu. At the moment, this is an ordinary wellness center with health resorts and sanatoriums.
The city of Armenistis is in demand and popularity. It is 50 kilometers from the capital. People who prefer walking will get great pleasure here. And there is where to walk here. Trails and paths crossing the terrain, small villages and settlements leading into the mountains and descending to the coast. One of the trails leads to the Halaris gorge.
This place contains the most beautiful and amazing, rare plant species. Lush sycamore trees. Small lakes and streams. Small but extremely beautiful waterfalls. Like from fabulous pictures and films. Above the gorge there is an ancient stone bridge - Lupastra.
An interesting fact, birds rest in this place during their migrations. Many bird species are protected in the bio-reserve.
Below the gorge there is a picturesque bay and the fishing village of Nas. Once upon a time there was a real port-fortress here that sheltered more than one ship and crew from ruthless pirates. Today, from the former greatness of the port, there are several mooring posts sticking out of the water
Climbing Mount Fitro will get one of the best views of Ikaria. The mountain slopes are dotted with wild vegetation. From the peak of the mountain, the island capital of Agios Kirikos, the nearby settlements of the purest Ikarian Sea, is perfectly visible.
On Fitro, the village of Christ is compactly located right in the center of a coniferous forest. Interesting architecture of the settlement. There are houses built over a century ago. Cozy streets with cobbled paths. Passing through which you can find taverns, cafes, shops. The most interesting building is the Christ Church located in the center of the village. The city, like the locals, does not sleep at night, not during the day. A tradition has developed here, according to which all entertainment establishments work all night. So it won't be boring.
Another interesting town is Evdilos. It is the former capital of Ikaria and the island's second largest port. Almost the entire tourist flow flows here. The port receives ships with tourists and residents of other Greek islands and the mainland.
The village of Kambos is located literally a kilometer from Evdilos. Here you can see and visit several more sights. The first is the ruins of the ancient city of Inoi. The second interesting place is the church of St. Irene.
The local museum is also recommended for general development. Here you will see archaeological finds from all over Ikaria. Opening hours from 10:00 to 15:00. Surprisingly, you don't have to pay anything to enter the museum. But there is an interesting nuance of photography and filming is prohibited.
If we talk about the surroundings of Evdilos, it can be noted that it is here that the richest and most fertile lands of the island are. An interesting fact: it was here that the sacred Dionysian vine began to grow. The famous and interesting Pramnian wine is produced from these grapes. Interesting fact: the sale of this wine enriched and brought fame to the ancient city of Inoi.
15 km from Evdilos is a grandiose monument of the Byzantine era. This is the big fortress of Koskin. Built around the 10th century AD. It was once considered an impregnable stronghold. She also helped to defend herself from uninvited guests and invaders of Ikaria. The fortress is located on the top of the island, Mount Afera.
Despite its venerable age, it is not badly preserved. You can see the massive arched gate and chapel. There is another small church of St. George on the territory of the fortress.
Now there are observation platforms. Tourists have interesting views of the entire island.
In addition to the cities, there are many interesting villages and towns. Langada is one such settlement. It is considered to be the oldest village in Ikaria. It was here that the inhabitants of ancient Ikaria found salvation from the raids of robbers and pirates. As proof of the remains of fortifications. While combing the surroundings, you will surely stumble upon the ruins of fortresses and forts. You will also meet on the way old churches, an old prison and the ruins of the administrative building of the "Free Community of Ikaria".
Drakano is another of the oldest cities. There are also many interesting things here. But to start studying, it is worthwhile from the observation tower. It has survived from the times when uninvited guests were expected from the sea. Ten meters in height was enough to see the whole way from Ikaria to Samos. The houses in the city were built with the expectation of long sieges and battles.
In Dracono you will see ancient architectural monuments. The interesting nature of this place is rich in stone sculptures of various bizarre shapes. Like any other settlement on the island, it has its own church. In Drakkano it is the Church of St. George. There is a beautiful beach nearby. It can be reached in a short time along the way passing the village of Faros.
Just 3 kilometers from the village of Rahes, there is a wonderful and interesting place that attracts many people. This is Munde Monastery. It was built in the 15th century. It is surrounded by a beautiful coniferous forest. Near him is a man-made lake, which has become a home for waterfowl. The central church of the monastery is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin. It strikes with hand-carved wooden iconostases. Wall icons from the late 19th century and a cube carved from wood.
Path to Ikaria
Unfortunately, Ikaria is far from the main tourist routes.
You can get to the island by plane. Fly from Athens airport to Ikaria airport, which is 10 km from the capital of the island, in the city of Faros.
You can sail by ship from the Athenian ports of Pirea, spending 10 hours on the journey. An alternative water route runs from Kavala to the ports of Agios Kirikos and Evdilo in 25 hours. There are also sea routes with the nearest major islands of the archipelago.
I haven't written such texts for a long time, and maybe never. But it was worth my free time for 4 days. I'm interested in this piece of land, surrounded by a beautiful sea.
Summing up the above, we can conclude that there are not many such places on earth and it is worth visiting at the first opportunity. Explore local interesting facts. Chat with centenarians. Try the waters of the healing springs. Explore local cuisine. And just calmly take a break from stress and worries. In a quiet and cozy corner of our interesting world.