INFORMATION ABOUT SCHINOUSSA ISLAND

Schinoussa is a small island of Cyclades with an extent of 9,5 square kilometres. It belongs in the Eastern Cyclades, and is located southerly from Naxos and northeast of Irakleia. The island’s population is 206 residents. It is a peaceful island ideal for peaceful vacation.

The island maintains its Cycladic culture. The houses of Chora, one of the biggest settlements of the island, are built on a slight elevation. Messaria, is the second big settlement of the island and abstains 3 km from Chora. The island’s harbour is Mersini, and abstains 1,2 km from Chora.

Schinoussa is an ideal destination for relaxation. The visitors of the island can enjoy the calmness of the landscapes that spurts through the light blue beaches of the island. The hospitality of residents gives warmth to visitors, who enjoy the natural beauties of the island. In the past few years the island shows an increase in tourism and is able to satisfy its visitors.

You can travel from Piraeus port to Mersini with 7-9 hours travel time. The island is connected coastal with Naxos with daily itineraries and the inner Cycladic line connects Syros with Schinoussa with travel duration of 9 hours.

SCHINOUSSA ISLAND HISTORY

Many people say that Sxoinoussa owes her name to the plant junipers (in Greek, schoinos) shrubs covering the island. A second version says that the island took his name from the Venetian noble Schinoza.

Discoveries on the island testify that the island has been inhabited since antiquity with a big involvement in the creation of the First-Cycladic civilization that developed around neighbouring Keros.

Ruins are still visible on the island from destroyed temples and a lot of ceramic discoveries, elements that show that during the Byzantine years the island flourished commercial.
Schinoussa accepted raids from pirates, as most of Cyclades, fact which forced a lot of residents of the island to abandon their homes. The island has been continuously inhabited since the mid-19th century when it was settled by families from Amorgos.