Thursday 16 August 2018

Agios Kirikos in Ikaria - the waterfront



Agios Kirikos is the capital of Ikaria and one of its main ports. The town is wrapped around the bay/port where most of the social life occurs. There is also an older, residential part which will be the subject of another post.





Just across is a small island whose hills turn a rose colour as the sun sets.




Up on a hill is the cathedral of Saint Kirikos, which dominates the landscape.





The harbour




and a series of small bays make up the waterfront





hills all around,











Lots of small boats in the smaller bays.




Above the main harbour on a hill, we came across this sculpture. We were not able to find out who the sculptor is but my guess is that it's Nikos Icaris, as the style is very similar to the Mermaid sculpture which you will see further down this post. It depicts, we think, God above, holding Christ (we could see the stigmata on his hands) who in turn is trying to lift humankind up towards Heaven. It's a wonderful sculpture.




The main square runs parallel to the sea




and this is where most of the restaurants and cafeterias are located. It was packed at night, with loads of children running around, having lots of fun and screaming in the process.







All along the sea front are the almyres, trees that only grow by the sea, as they need the sea salt in order to thrive







On a quay, across from the cafeteria in the image above, is this sculpture, Mermaid, by Nikos Ikaris.








Away from the main square, there is a series of houses all along the sea front. Traditional houses with old iron-wrought gates, like this one.





Looking through the gate




No sandy beaches here, but rocks and pebbles instead




Rumination by Nikos Ikaris, stands here







We walked along here




it was late afternoon and it was deserted but we have been told that lots of people swim here during the day.




A quiet section of the town




The houses are traditional














and most are well maintained.




Back in the main part of town, in the shopping area




we came across this shop




that sells local products




nuts and dried fruits,




oils and vinegars,




homemade pasta and local honey




hand made cosmetics,




spices




and herbal teas and herbs.




There were cats everywhere - all very thin, we thought







Steps everywhere




leading up to the older part of town.






2 comments:

  1. Ikaria is beautiful! I was there in June of this year! Nice story and picture! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  2. It really is so beautiful, Karen. I really want to go back and I hope I manage it soon. Thank you for your comment.

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