Lesser Cyclades
Maria Vourloumi
The Lesser Cyclades or Small Cyclades is an island complex in Aegean Sea, inside the archipelago of the Cyclades. It is located to the south-east of Naxos and comprises 32 islands and rocks. The main islands are Donoussa, Keros, Irakleia, Schinoussa, Ano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi. The islands of Lesser Cyclades characterized as non profit line islands, due to reduced maritime connections to larger islands and mainland. The maritime network connecting the islands is served by two lines, one from Piraeus and one internal line connecting the Lesser Cyclades to Naxos and Amorgos.
Donoussa’s Port is named Stavros as the first settlement of the island. It is a natural harbour and a great place to swim. Irakleia’s Port Agios Gerogios or Turkavlakos is a natural harbor, that offers protection to the island and allows ships to approach it regardless of the season or weather. Schinoussa's Port Mersini is a natural harbor and is considered to be the safest maritime heaven of this Cyclades area. Because it is difficult to attach large ships to it, the construction of a new port on the bay of Livadi has begun, but has stopped due to archaeological findings. Koufonissia consist of two islets Ano and Kato Koufonissi. Kato Koufonissi is almost uninhabited and it can only be approached by yachts or sailboats. The main port of Koufonissia is Koufonissi Bay and it is located in Ano Koufonissi.
old photos: © Small Cyclades Lines
coastal panoramas: © trip in view, 2014
nautical maps: © Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service (HNHS)
photos: © Thanasis Karatzas, Athens Voice
The legend of Skopelitis
Skopelitis started to tame the waves in 1956 and never stopped since then. It never feared rough sea. When ordinary ships couldn’t travel due to heavy weather, it continued its journey. Dimitris Skopelitis, so called Captain Mitsos, was the man who united Naxos and Amorgos with the Small Cyclades 61 years ago.
After Captain Mitsos, his son Giannis Skopelitis became the Captain of Skopelitis. He grew up in the sea and learnt everything about it from his father. Today, the grandson Dimitris Skopelitis continues continually the family tradition and the journeys with captain Giannis Fostieris.
Ten wooden boats and iron vessels were changed over the years. Today, all journeys are carried out by Express Skopelitis, a boat with length 45 meters, capacity of 340 passengers and 11 cars, travelling winter and summer, regardless of the weather conditions! The awards of the legendary Skopelitis were many over the years, the one by Lloyd’s as “Seaways of the year” being remarkable.
Energy & Resources
Miriam Georgakopoulou
Governance
Vaso Aidonidou
coastal panoramas: © trip in view, 2014
Inhabitation
Georgia Papalexandri
