Chora on Amorgos: Alleys, Churches and Hiking Trails

Chora is the capital of Amorgos and lies 400 metres above sea level. Narrow, winding alleys, whitewashed houses and squares define the town. Two themes come together here when choosing a destination: architectural heritage and hiking trails that start in Chora. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can base your choice on whether you’re more interested in churches and the townscape or in hiking.

Churches and Historic Architectural Features

There are thirty churches in Chora. Most preserve renovation inscriptions on their finely crafted marble doorframes. Alongside the number of churches, a recurring architectural detail stands out: ornate marble frames bearing references to renovations. The alleys and squares form the setting of the town, while the doorframes draw attention to a detail of individual buildings. If you’re interested in architectural features and inscriptions, the churches bring together the scale of the architectural heritage and a specific detail.

In Vorina lies Kato Lakkos, a barrel-vaulted, arched cistern dating from the 15th century. These terms describe its architectural form: Kato Lakkos is not another church, but a historic cistern with a barrel vault and an arched shape. Together with the churches’ doorframes, it offers a glimpse of different types of architectural heritage in Chora and Vorina. A barrel vault is a rounded ceiling that extends lengthwise, rather than a flat ceiling.

Hiking Trails from Chora

Fotodotis is classified as an easy hiking trail. It starts in the northern part of Chora, in the Vorina area. Old Strata also starts in Chora and passes via Hozoviotissa Monastery, Kapsala, Asfontilitis and Potamos before reaching Langada. The two trails can be distinguished by the information given about them: Fotodotis is described as easy, while Old Strata is described by a sequence of stops. Check current trail conditions before hiking.

Asfontilitis lies along Old Strata. It is an old rural settlement with wells, rock paintings and the Church of Saint Nicholas. This stop complements Chora’s churches and architectural features with the character of a rural settlement and other named elements. For orientation along the route, Asfontilitis is a distinct place in the sequence between Chora and Langada; the wells, rock paintings and church each provide a specific point of reference at the stop.

Hozoviotissa Monastery also features along Old Strata. The Ecclesiastical Museum is located in the monastery, outside Chora. The monastery as part of the route and the museum as a place outside the capital should therefore be distinguished.

Discover more destinations: Amorgós, Arkesini, Tholaria, Aghios Prokopios, Filoti, Moutsouna, Glinado, Egiali

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