Traditional religious feasts in Sifnos
The inhabitants of the island, respecting the customs and traditions, organize feasts in chapels and monasteries throughout the year. After the vespers, guests are offered food, cooked in traditional fireplaces the so-called “panostries”. Slow baked chickpea stew is the first dish served followed by veal with pasta. Wine flows plenty and fun is accompanied by the traditional «takimi», a pair of instrumentalists with violin and lute while people who attend the feast sing along. Most times the fun lasts until the early hours, with lots of dancing and improvised quatrains, the so-called "poetic". The people who undertake the organization of the feast, the «panigirades», also undertake all the costs of the feast. Some chapels are easily accessed whilst for some others, access can only be made by trail. Also, there are chapels that can be accessed by the sea with private or fishing boats if however the weather allows it. Do not lose the opportunity to visit them! Ask the locals if some of the days of your visit there is any feast. You shall live a unique experience!
The museums you will find on Sifnos island
The museum is situated at the central square (Heroon Square) of Apollonia. It includes exhibited articles from the traditional life of the island, such as agricultural tools, domestic ware, local costumes etc. The main exhibited articles are the following: collections of swords, rifles and old traditional costumes, woodcut objects and trunks, needleworks and laceworks, domestic ware, agricultural ware, sunshade objects, apiculture and pottery tools, as well as busts of important Sifnos’ personalities.
Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas in Sifnos
The archaeological site of the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas, which has been awarded in 2012 as an "excellent example of display and enhancement of archaeological remains" by the European organization Europa Nostra, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Sifnos. The archaeological findings here show that the place has been constantly inhabited from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic times. The excavations have brought into light a big part of the Mycenaean wall of the 12th century B.C. in that wall there are ruins of five buildings, which were possibly residences. At the entrance of the archaeological site there is a museum, which hosts the findings that were discovered during excavations. You will find the Citadel on the way to Vathi, on the hill of Agios Andreas, which is situated on your right, a little bit after the Monastery of Firogia (16th century).
Pottery art in Sifnos
Pottery is perhaps the best-known product of Sifnos. The island, since ancient times, has a great tradition in pottery, an art which is still practiced to date. Many young Sifnians potters work the clay with excellent results, giving a unique character in their creations. Pottery shops can be found throughout the island and the only sure thing is that it will be hard to make a choice. Buy utilitarian items (cups, cookware, trays, etc.), or decoratives in soft or bold colors, with elaborate designs or leaner decorations. Sifnos is the bulwark of development and diffusion of pottery in Cyclades.The first samples of the art of pottery are dated from the Protocycladic period (statuettes, decorative and handy articles) and from back then till today this art continues. The abundance of raw materials in Sifnos (deposits of potter’s clay, abundant waters, strong sunshine), as well as the dexterous hands of the artisans, have helped in the development of this art.
BLOG
Read the latest blog posts
