Sifnos

Inhabited since 4,000 bc, Sifnos was wealthy in ancient times from mining gold, silver, and lead. The treasury built at Delphi in the 6th century bc confirms this. Pausanias states that the mines were destroyed by flooding caused by reaching beyond sea level, others were simply exhausted. Ancient mines, particularly at Agia. Sostis, can still be seen as well as the remains of ancient fortifications from the 3rd millennium to the 6th century bc in various locations around the island. Coins were minted here in 600 bc, one of the first places in Greece to do so. Ionians from Athens populated it in the 12th century bc, but not much is known until the invasion of pirates from Samos in 500 bc. It became a member of the alliance against Persia in both wars, and though the Persians later took control, the island was liberated by a fleet sent by Alexander the Great. Not much is known about Sifnos through the Roman and Byzantine eras, although Roman sarcophagi can be seen at Kastro, the ancient capital until 1836. The 14th century saw the liberation from the Venetians by Januli da Corogna, a Spanish Hospitaller, and was ruled by his family for more than a hundred years when the island passed into the hands of the Gozzadini dynasty from Bologna, who remained until 1617. Roman Catholicism became an equal partner alongside Greek orthodoxy. Details about Ottoman rule are vague, which would indicate it was mostly a question of tax collection and auto administration by the islanders. It became prosperous in the 17th century, famous for its pottery all over the Aegean. The island played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Source: Wikipedia / Sifnos

It became a member of the alliance against Persia in both wars, and though the Persians later took control, the island was liberated by a fleet sent by Alexander the Great.

My first visit to Sifnos wasn’t for as long as expected because I was without a boat and couldn’t find easy access to areas for freediving on foot. The second time regarded research for the project and was a different story. The hiking trails reach isolated mountain areas with hypnotic views across the island’s verdant landscapes towards its neighbours and beyond.