Escape to the Chora
BRIDGE OF LOVE - CASTLE OF FANEROMENI - MONASTERY OF PANACHRANTO - FOROS CAVE - CHORA OF ANDROS
Excursion Description
We start from the Andros 4 All Seasons Villas & Suites hotel in Ormos Korthiou with destination Chora and return.
Bridge of Love
At the beginning we will make a short stop and visit one of the most romantic spots of the island, the Bridge of Love. The location was used in the movie “Little England” by Pantelis Voulgaris.
Immediately afterwards we will continue to the Castle of Faneromeni or Castle of Kochylos. Impressive view and history!
The Castle of Faneromeni
in Andros or Pano Kastro or Grias the Kastro was the largest medieval city of the island, but there are also traces of Roman fortification. It was built by the Venetians to protect against pirates.
It is located in the north of Ormos Korthios near 600m. altitude. The castle still has ruins of houses, aqueducts and walls.
The mountains in the area are steep and with their “cut” tops, they give the impression that the rocks are growing at the top. Stones, rocks and walls justify the myth of impregnability, many legends reinforced this view.
To the monastery of Panahrantou
The route is short but beautiful! Passing small but picturesque villages, each with their own history, we reach Vouni from where we take the road to the monastery of Panahrantos or Agios Panteleimons!
The Panahrantou Monastery is located on the slope of Mount Gerakones and is the most beautiful Byzantine monastery of Andros. According to tradition, it was built by Emperor Nikephoros Phokas in 963-969, upon his return from the campaign against the Arabs of Crete. The miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which is the work of the Evangelist Luke, is kept there. The monastery also houses the cart of Saint Panteleimon, which was brought from Constantinople in 1705.
The monk “Papoulakos” was imprisoned in the Panahrantou Monastery. The monastery, which was recently renovated, celebrates on July 27th (Agiou Panteleimonos), as well as on August 15th. The Abbot is Father Evdokimos Frangoulakis, who has served the Monastery since 1957. It is located near Chora and just above the Village of Fallika.
As soon as we finish our visit to the monastery we continue our excursion going to the Foros cave!
Cave “Foros” – Aladinou Andros
The “Foros” cave in Andros is located in the village of Aladinou and is 4km from the town of Andros. It occupies an area of approximately 500 sq.m. and is one of the first discovered caves in Greece. Number 15 in the relevant list of the E.S.E.
The guided tour of the “Foros” Cave starts from the old bridge, built in 1680 AD by the Epirotian archmaster Kitsos Zois and his guild. The route to the cave is 300 meters, in a traditional paved cobblestone path.
The unique stone-paved path that starts from Aladdin’s bridge, where the “big river” passes with its ducks, water turtles, eels and after a 300-meter hiking route, among oaks, wild pears, etc., you reach the cave . Beautiful wooden signs direct you.
On the way you will enjoy the wonderful view of Aladdin Village and its green nature (Cypress trees, olive trees, orange trees, lemon trees etc.)
At the entrance of the cave, the guide will provide you with the necessary equipment for your safe tour. You will receive a helmet and a flashlight. For your own comfort, it would be desirable to wear closed shoes and have a long-sleeved shirt with you. At 150 meters of its route, the visitor has the opportunity to enjoy an aesthetic spectacle. Massive columns create labyrinthine compartments. Many stalactites and stalagmites, helictites, diverse and colorful, gur, decorate its eight chambers while in many places there are stone water basins and cave pearls.
The cave offers a sense of adventure, since it is visited in groups of 6 people, with the provision of helmets and portable lighting as well as an escort-guide. All of the above rank it in one of the most important attractions of Andros. Life penetrated into Aladdin’s cave as well, developing unique life forms perfectly adapted to darkness and minimal food. The temperature in the cave is a constant 16-17°C all year round and the humidity is 75%. The village of Aladinou is located 120 meters at the foot of Mount Gerakona, with temperatures of 4-17°C in winter and 23-37°C in summer.
The cave and the story
For the name of the cave “Foros” there are two versions. According to the first, the name comes from the Italian word “foros” which means “opening”. The second refers to the superstition of the inhabitants, as when animals fell and were lost, they believed that they were paying tribute in this way, to appease the evil spirits.
The cave was first explored in 1937 by the couple Ioannis and Anna Petroheilou. By order of the Hellenic Speleological Society (H.E.S.E.) in 1982, complete mapping was carried out under A.Petrocheilou and S. Diakogiannis. The “Foros” cave is the 15th recorded cave in Greece, in the official chronological list of discovered caves by the Hellenic Speleological Society (ESE).
Chora of Andros
And we complete our excursion by arriving at Chora tis Andros where we will leave you free time to take your walk.
Walk through its picturesque alleys and reach the statue of the Invisible Sailor, visit the special Museums, drink your coffee, enjoy your lunch or even go shopping.
Information
Departure Point: Andros 4 All Seasons Villas & Suites Hotel, Ormos Korthiou,
Departure time: 09:00 am
Return time: 4:00 PM (approximately)
Price per person: €40.00
Minimum/Maximum participants: 4 people to 7 people
The price includes: your transfer to the respective location.
The excursion includes:
Transportation with the company’s luxury van
Driver
Public Liability Insurance
VAT
Excursion does not include:
Entrances to museums, caves, meals, drinks, soft drinks and coffees,
Insurance of medical care in accidents outside the bus,
Reservations
Email: Andros4allseasons@gmail.com,
Tel: 6973274771
