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Amorgos (, Amorgós; ) is the easternmost island of the Cyclades island group and the nearest island to the neighboring Dodecanese island group in Greece. Along with 16 neighbouring islets, the largest of which (by land area) is Nikouria Island, it comprises the municipality of Amorgos, which has a land area of and at the 2021 census had a population of 1,961.
Due to the name Minoa for one of its ancient cities, it is suspected that Amorgos had been colonized by the Cretans from ancient times, but no known archeological evidence supports this view. Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism (in Greek)
The island was visited by the British explorers Theodore and Mabel Bent in 1883/4.Theodore Bent, “The Cyclades, of Life Among the Insular Greeks” (London, 1885).
Almost a dozen separate inhabited centres are known in this period. Amorgos is the origin of many famous Cycladic figurines. ‘Dokathismata style’ figurines were originally found here. Cycladic art had been discovered from the cemeteries at Aghia Paraskevi, Aghios Pavlos, Dokathismata, Kapros, Kapsala, Nikouria and Stavros. www.amorgos-island-magazine.com
'Kapsala Cycladic figurines', dating around 2700 B.C., are named after a find place in Amorgos. This is the earliest of the 'canonical types' – a reclining female with folded arms. They tend to have slender and elongated proportions. At this time, anatomical features such as arms are modeled three-dimensionally. With the later types, sculptors tended to render this feature with incised lines. The Getty Museum
'Dokathismata Cycladic figurines' date from a somewhat later period of 2400–2100 BC. Compared to the statuettes of the Spedos type—the most common and renowned type of figurines featuring finely modeled and somewhat rounded shapes—the statuettes of the Dokathismata type tend to have a more slender and sometimes angular silhouette.
The names of the three cities given by Stephanus Byzantinus are Arkesini, Minoa, Aigiali or Melania which, according to inscriptions, are the most correct. The three towns are on the island's west coast because that is where bays and natural ports that could provide the proper positioning for seaside towns and forts exist. Aigiali was on the north East Side of the island close to the present day locations of Tholaria and Stroumvos. Minoa was situated at the center of the northern side near the present day village of Katapola and Arkesini on the present-day location Kastri.
In 322 BC, Classical Athens and Macedonia fought the naval Battle of Amorgos.
Heraclides Lembus wrote that the island produced much wine, as well as olive oil and fruits. Heraclides Lembus, On Constitutions, 47
With the passing of time, the island's name changed to Amolgon and Amourgon.
It was known as Yamurgi during Ottoman Greece between 1537 and 1829. It became part of Greece upon independence in 1830.
On 9 July, the 1956 Amorgos earthquake occurred, with its epicentre about south of the island. The shock had a moment magnitude of 7.7 and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( Violent). The earthquake generated a local tsunami of up to at Amorgos and nearby islands. Fifty-three people were killed and 100 were injured.
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Tourism is increasing slowly, although the island's geographical features prevent mass tourism. It is accessible only by boat. The three main tourist accommodations are located in Katapola, Aegiali and Chora. Hiking paths are relatively well maintained. Other activities include scuba diving, free-diving, and visiting the island's beaches (although this isn't its main attraction, like other Greek islands).
Another landmark in the area is a group of that can be seen on a hill above Chora. A couple of them can be visited, while others are either locked or in ruins. It's easy to reach the location either by car or on foot, going through Chora. There is no admission to enter the area.
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