Wonders of the Greek Islands - The Cyclades

You want to discover the natural and cultural treasures of some of the most extraordinary Greek islands? This is the book for you (look also for the colour edition and for more photos, look for the separate editions for each island). This book describes, through a travel story and a large number of black and white photos, the known and unknown treasures of some of the most remarkable islands of Greece. Andros: one of the most beautiful neoclassical ensembles in Greece, historic monasteries, beautiful villages, a landscape of waterfalls and astonishing greenery in the arid Cyclades and the island's great naval tradition, which gave it the nickname of 'Little England'. Delos: one of the most important archaeological, historical and mythical sites in Greece, the birthplace of Apollo. Milos: a geological wonder, archaeological sites of extreme importance, including the world's oldest Christian monument and the site of the discovery of the famous Aphrodite of Milos. Also, well preserved medieval settlements dating from the time of Venetian domination, picturesque churches, wonderful beaches. Mykonos: a Mediterranean hub which preserves surpising reserves of authenticity. Naxos: the most impressive kouroi of ancient Greece, temples that are considered the precursors of the Parthenon, unique iconoclastic and other Byzantine churches that compose what is called the Mystras of the Aegean. Also, one of the best preserved fortified medieval settlements of the Aegean composing an islet from Greece of Latin domination that made it to our days, monasteries that housed schools of international fame, feudal towers and picturesque villages. Paros: the birthplace of the most famous masterpieces of Antiquity, picturesque medieval settlements, one the most important Early Christian monuments in Greece and sensitive landscapes. Santorini: some of the best preserved fortified medieval settlements of the Aegean, churches with an inexplicable exotic decoration, picturesque chapels, dwellings dug in the volcanic soil in remote villages remaining unspoilt by tourism and one of the best preserved prehistoric cities in the world, known as the Greek Pompeii. Serifos and Sifnos: two islands of incomparable harmony of nature and human creations, havens of authenticity. Syros: a cultural centre with some of the first schools in Greece and today a rare medieval fortified town, along with the former residential, cultural, commercial, and industrial centre of Greece, which is also the world's largest neoclassical ensemble. Tinos: medieval settlements, monumental churches, picturesque chapels, monasteries that housed schools of international fame, artistic dovecotes and the island's marble craftsmanship, inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Although these treasures are mostly presented through a hiking tour, also those who don't hike can see them, since they are also accessible by car. The author of this book holds a PhD in Architectural History from the National Technical University of Athens and a master in heritage preservation from the Ecole de Chaillot of Paris. He is a professor in the University of the Peloponnese, where he teaches these subjects. He is also a fervent cultural hiker. His travel books (mostly about Greece) are addressed to a public with a special interest in cultural sites. In order to help the readers better understand and remember these sites, they are written as a guided tour, including encounters with interesting people and other personal travel experiences which could help the readers organise their own trip beyond the tourist clich s.