DREAMY ANAFI
Anafi is a Greek little jewel-island of the Cyclades, located on the east side of the renowned island of Thira (Santorini). Untouched by mass tourism, Anafi is one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades with golden sandy beaches, waters in all shades of blue, archeological sites, steep cliffs, hiking trails with breathtaking view, very interesting history and mythology, in addition with the hospitable local people and the charming capital, Hora with the unique Cycladic minimal architecture of whitewashed houses which make a picturesque contrast with the blue of the sea and the colors of the flowery courtyards. However, the most alluring part of Anafi is Kalamos, the second largest monolith of Europe, that hangs over the vast sea. The experience of the overnight stay in the church of Panagia Kalamiotissa, next to Kalamos rock, is simply indescribable!
According to mythology, the island was given the name Anafi because Apollo made it appear to the Argonauts as a shelter from a bad storm, using his bow to shed light upon it (i.e. the island name Ἀνάφη is derived from ἀνέφηνεν, "he made appear"). If the name of the island derives from this word, and means "revelation", then Anafi is linked to Delos, an island whose name also derives from an ancient Greek word meaning "to reveal". Others say that the name is due to the non-existence of snakes on the island: "an Ophis" ("without snakes"). |