Listed 2 sub titles with search on: Local governments for destination: "APOLLONIA Small town SIFNOS".
Tel: +3022843 60300
Fax: +3022840 33076
Apollonia, also known as Stavri, has been the capital of Siphnos since
1836. It was the seat of the Siphnos Municipality (1836-1914) and of the Apollonia
District (1914-1998), and is presently the seat of the newly formed Siphnos Municipality
(1999).
The name Apollonia derives from Apollo, meaning a town dedicated to
the worship of the God Apollo. As for the derivation of its common name, Stavri,
which dates back to 1677, there are various possible interpretations: it could
derive from the male proper name Stavros; from Timios Stavros meaning Holy Cross
(there was a church of a holy cross in the vicinity); from its location literally
at the crossroads where all the main roads of the island meet; or from the crosswise
design of the town plan and houses.
Whatever the derivation of its common name, Apollonia is indeed situated
in the geographical center of the island and it is built amphitheatrically on
three hills. The island's commercial center, this is where you will find, among
other things, news agencies, travel offices, banks, stationary shops, as well
as the island's medical clinic, two pharmacies, the two police stations, the telecommunications
facilities sand gas stations. Apollonia has no shortage of restaurants, traditional
coffee houses, cafes, bars, and souvenir gift shops.
Visitors can stroll on Apollonia's stone-paved streets and lanes,
and enjoy the picturesque to local architecture, or have a drink or coffee at
the many coffee bars or sample the delicious local cuisine in one of the many
restaurants. To appreciate the local history and culture, a visit to the Folklore
Museum in Apollonia's central square is highly recommended.
Other sites of historical and cultural interest include the old schools
of Saint Artemios (1832-1988), the church of Saint Artemios (1629), which belongs
to the Simonopetry of Mount Athos, the Virgin Mary of Barou with the French frescoes
and wood curved temple the churches Saint Athanasios, Saint Sostis, the Transfiguration
of Christ, the Holy Cross and the Bearded Virgin ''Uraniofora'', the busts of
poet Rambaya in the square of the same name and that of Aristomenis Provelengios,
made by the famous Tinian sculptor Giannoulis Halepas, in the courtyard of the
Gymnasium.
South-west from Apollonia, on the highest peak of Mount Prophet Elias,
visitors can see the imposing monastery of the same name (1145-1890), where many
of the monks were iconographers; those who enjoy hiking will never forget the
panoramic view of the Aegean and the scenic way in which the island's many villages
punctuate the soft contours of the hills across from Mount Prophet Elias.
On the north slope of the same mountain, visitors can also see the
Monastery of Saint John tou Moungou (the Mute) (ca. 1650-1834), where Parthenios
Heretis, o monk well known for his intellectual and scholarly pursuits, lived
and worked.
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