ICARIA

General Information

A well-known myth, the one of the legendary engineer Daedalus and his son Icarus, is the source of the name of Icaria. Its thermal baths are renowned for their qualities since antiquity. Today, the island of Icaria mostly attracts youths and fans of the wild beauty of its virgin natural landscape. Its population is estimated at about 1700 residents, while its extent covers 120 sq.km.

History-culture

According to mythology, Icaria was named after Icarus, son of the renowned engineer Daedalus who was kept in captivity by the legendary king Minos of Crete, who forced Daedalus to offer him his invaluable skills. The resourceful mechanic did not remain idle, and sought to devise a means of escape. He managed to make a pair of wings from bird feathers, which he bound together with wax. As soon as his invention was ready to use, he and his son flew away from the labyrinth ?the palace where they were imprisoned- and broke free. Alas, as the young Icarus soared through the skies, he became too excited, and flew too close to the sun in spite of his fathers? desperate warnings. The heat melted the wax which kept his wings together, and Icarus plunged into the sea near an island. Both the island and the sea took his name, becoming the island of Icaria and the Icarian Sea. Though it is suspected that the island has been inhabited since the prehistoric years, the existing evidence comes from as late as the 7th century BC. Even for this period the historians have but very few historical facts, a puzzling situation as all the other islands of the broader region were inhabited and highly civilized since the Neolithic Age, including many islands of much smaller size and lesser natural resources. The most important town during the Byzantine period was Inoi, a significant regional center, which fell in 1204 under Frankish rule. In 1484 the island came to the holdings of the Knight house of Rhodes, who held it until 1521, when it came under the Turkish yoke. Icaria revolted with the rest of Greece in 1821, and regained its freedom after a lengthy struggle which lasted ?with brief intervals- until 1912, when Icaria was finally reunited with Greece.

Sights

There is much to see in Icaria, as the island has a beauteous natural environment and many impressive monuments, especially from the Byzantine era, such as churches, chapels, castles and monasteries. There are also the ruins of the ancient settlements -Aghios Kyrikos, Armenistis, and Evdilos- and the impressive medieval dwellings, built in gorges and cliffsides to secure protection from pirates. The most important Byzantine church is the one of Aghia Irene in Evdilos, but there are many other churches in the island of comparable beauty, one being the cathedral of Aghios Kyrikos. There are only a few monasteries in Icaria, yet quite picturesque. The most significant of all is the Monte monastery in Christ Rahon. Other sights worth visiting are the trapdoor and the round Tower in Aghios Kyrikos, the gorge in Armenistis, and the Nikaria Castle in Evdilos, while with Evdilos -the northern port- as a starting point, one could visit successively the Nas, the Raches, the monasteries Moude and Theoktisti, the levee, the Fradato, the tabernacle of Agia Lesvia into a rock, in the placement of Pigi, the castle of Nikaria, as well as the ancient Oinoi and its museum. Icaria is renowned for its hot springs, spread all over the island and crowned by the one in Therma. In the Na bay, a river flows into the sea, forming a spectacular beach. All in all, Icaria holds beauty worthy of a mythical place.        

Entertainment-Sports-Shopping

The island of Icaria may be an ideal destination for relaxing holidays but visitors can also enjoy the entertainment, sporting and shopping facilities the island has to offer. The hotels, rooms for rent, restaurants, taverns, bars and coffee-shops in Aghios Kyrikos, Armenistis, and Evdilos offer quality services and ample variety. Markets are quite satisfactory and well supplied. The road network covers the whole island and the frequent transportation services allow the visitors to travel all across Icaria. Water sports facilities can be found in Therma and Armenistis, as well as on other beaches, albeit on a lesser scale. The local traditional specialties are top-quality honey, kavoura (traditional cheese), olive oil, and black wine. Local sweets and recipes are also a rare delicacy that can be found in taverns, restaurants, coffee and pastry shops.

Access

All year round flights from Athens and ferry boats from Piraeus to Evdilos and to Aghios Kyrikos.

Connections

Icaria is connected to Samos, Lemnos, Chios, Crete, the Dodecanese islands and the Cyclades by ferry boats and fast ferries all around the year.

Museums

There is an Archaeological - Folk Art museum in Aghios Kyrikos housing most significant archaic tomb columns, while there is also an Archaeological museum in Evdilos.

Alternative Tourism

Spiritual, ecclesiastical, cultural (art festivals), ecotourism, therapeutic, sporting (water sports, trekking, mountain climbing).

FOURNI

Just off the coast of Icaria to the direction of Samos, there are the three picturesque islets of Fourni. These are Fourni, Thymaena, and Agios Minas, all renowned for their delicious, fresh seafood and their countless reclusive bays that form private small beaches. Once a hideout for pirates, these islets are ideal for relaxing holidays. Access is made available from Icaria.   

Useful Telephone Numbers:

IKARIA AREA CODE:  22750-

POLICE STATION  : 22750-22222

MUNICIPALITY: 22750-22753, 50400

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORG.: 22750-22999, 22499

POST OFFICE: 22750-22413

PORT POLICE: 22750-22207

HOSPITAL: 22750-22330, 22336, 23336

PHARMACIES: 22750-22212