Sikinos
The supposed origin of the name of Sikinos, this small island between Ios and Folegandros, is quite fascinating. The story begins with Thoas, king of Lemnos, who has been placed in a wooden box and set to sea by his daughter Hypsipyle to escape certain death from women of the island who were executing all males because of their unfaithfulness. The box reaches the island of Oenoe, meaning island of wine. Thoas meets the Nymph Neida with whom he has a son, Sikinos. In honour of this, the island took his name. Mycenaeans inhabited it, followed by Dorians, whose presence can be seen in the mausoleum of Episkopi located in a remote part of the island towards the west. A statesman by the name of Solon credited with laying the foundations of Athenian democracy in the 6th century bc said he’d rather be from Sikinos than fail in his duty to Athens, not a compliment, for sure. The island’s history of wine production dates back to its origins. It had its own monetary system in the 3rd century bc with coins showing the head of Dionysos, god of wine, or alternatively a bunch of grapes. In ancient literature it is seldom mentioned, though it’s known to have been a place of political exile by the Romans. Coming under the Duchy of Naxos after the Fourth Crusade, the Ottomans took control in the mid 1500s. After the Greek War of Independence, Sikinos became part of the Greek State in 1828. It was occupied by Axis forces during the Second World War starting with Italy in 1941, and later Germany until 1943. Electricity only arrived in 1974.
A statesman by the name of Solon credited with laying the foundations of Athenian democracy in the 6th century bc said he’d rather be from Sikinos than fail in his duty to Athens.
What I enjoy so much about Sikinos is how the island challenges me physically. With so few roads and accessible beaches, only by trekking can its true nature be discovered. No matter how many times I’ve visited, there are always places of genuine interest photographically to still be found.
Read my essay Next Stop Sikinos in INSIGHTS GREECE magazine.
Emerald Green Waters of Sikinos
Sikinos’ history of wine production dates back to its origins, in the 3rd century bc it had its own monetary system with coins adorned with the head of Dionysos or a bunch of grapes.
Vineyard, Sikinos
Throughout its history, Sikinos has produced excellent wines, though this came to an end in the 1960s when the islanders abandoned it to emigrate around the world. As a consequence, the vineyards perished. Fortunately, some years ago, a man named Manalis had the idea of bringing this tradition back to life using the same varieties of grape typical of olden times.
Episkopi Church, Sikinos
High above sea level, a small Doric building once known as the Temple of Pythian Apollo became a Christian church called Episkopi dedicated to the Virgin Mary. One of the best preserved buildings from the Classical period in Greece (5th and 4th centuries bc), it stands on a mountain ridge in the north - west of Sikinos looking down on a precipitous slope to the sea. Unknown to most travellers until around 1770, it was first noticed by a Dutch sailor, Count Pasch von Krienen, who was quite amazed by ''its ancient magnificence'', and was ready to believe the bishop of Sifnos’ claim that it was built 700 years before Christ. In 2018, archeologists discovered the cist grave of Neiko, a prominent woman from the 2nd century ad. Well hidden below its internal floor and hermetically sealed, mystery surrounds her burial. My work Lost Lady Of Sikinos, Neiko was photographed at Episkopi two years before the discovery of the grave making it the natural centrepiece of the project.