Taste of harmony Taste of Cyclades Travel Recipies 1
Introduction Welcome to picturesque, delicious Sifnos! The brochure you are holding is nothing but some recipes. Recipes with unique ingredients for creating experiences, emotions and images that you may never come across elsewhere. Inspiration was drawn from the Sifnian architect of flavour and our national chef, Nikolaos Tselementes. We invite you on a brief trip to explore flavours from Sifnos and we hope you will visit us soon! 2 Sifnos 3
History & Tradition 3Rich history 3Ancient monuments 3Legends 3Fascinating museums 3 Hundreds of amazing festivals and traditions 3History According to the legend, Sifnos was the name of the son of Sounio, hero of Attica. Another version presents the name Sifnos as being linked to the adjective sifnos meaning empty, a reference to the many underground tunnels and mines on the island during Antiquity. A land rich in gold and silver, Sifnos was the focal point for ancient tribes, such as the Pelasgians, the Kares and the Phoenicians, from 3,000 BC. The major civilizations of the time, the Minoan and the Mycenaean, depended on this blessed little island, «the richest of all its neighbours» according to the historian Herodotus! Cities and citadels were built on the island, where ancient gods such as Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Zeus, Pan and the Nymphs were worshipped. During its heyday, the «Sifnian Treasury» was one of the most significant works of architectural art. Justifying its name, the Ionic building whose façade was adorned by 2 caryatids, was elaborately decorated; work was completed in 525BC and it was dedicated by the Ancient Sifnians to the temple of Apollo at Delphi. The depletion of the precious metals that followed became shrouded in legend: the inhabitants of the island broke their promise to the oracle at Delphi and gave a goldplated instead of a solid gold egg as an offering. Then the sea swelled and obliterated the mines! However the history of Sifnos over the ages never ceased to be rich. A love for architecture, art and churches stands out, a passion that led to timeless works and to the «birth» of great personalities poets, authors and teachers, who inspired the whole of Greece. 3 Monuments The dozens of ancient towers dating from the 6th century BC bear witness to the intense activity on the island, while many monasteries have now become characterized as historical monuments. The museums in operation on the island house its history and captivate the imagination. At the Sifnos archaeological park and the museum of Agios Andreas you can make many dates with history. A project-milestone for the Ministry of Culture, the park contains numerous monuments from different historical periods, starting from the Mycenaean acropolis and ending with the picturesque little church of Agios Andreas. And the journey goes on. The Monastery of the Virgin Vrissiani, built in the 17th century, houses the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art and its exhibits include old publications, a Gospel dating from 1796, icons and other things. In the Archaeological Museum, located in the impressive Kastro, the ancient capital of Sifnos, a multitude of ceramics, marble sculptures and coins are exhibited, while the Folk Museum reveals the other side to the island, from its modern history, with extensive collections of heirlooms, tools and traditional clothing. 3 Traditions In Sifnos, the most impressive monument to the past and history is the present, the moment when you will visit the island! It is part of the Sifnians way of life to unite the present and the past so smoothly that it s as though they are following a recipe known only to them! Each year on Whit Sunday, the signal is given with fires lit by the locals in an ancient tower. One tower succeeds the other and soon the ancient Greek communication network comes alive again after thousands of years and it is a sight worth seeing! For the people of Sifnos keeping traditions is a ritual. From the biggest festival to the smallest fair. Not a month goes by without at least one of the hundreds of chapels or monasteries on the island celebrating a festival. The fairs are lavish, suitable for everyone and are organized by ordinary people, the panigyrades as the locals call them. In order for the faithful to repay their debt of gratitude to the Saints, they undertake to look after the icon for a whole year. Even today, more than three hundred icons live outside their churches, in the homes of the faithful, both on and off the island! When the day of the festival arrives, the panigyras returns the icon to its church. Vespers follows and then plenty of food and wine are provided. The party lasts until the early hours with dancing, singing and poems, often composed on the spot, giving thanks for the festival. For the people of Sifnos keeping traditions is a ritual. From the biggest festival to the smallest fair. 4 Sifnos 5
Nature & Trips 3Natural beauty 3Magnificent beaches 3Exceptional fauna 3Incomparable trips «Sifnos. A place that if you visit once you ll visit again» the island s online friends often declare. 3Nature The first sight you see of Sifnos harbour, Kamares, is idyllic, like a scene from a film, one of the many that have been shot in Sifnos for famous short and full-length films. Picturesque, white, Cycladic houses stretch out before you, each group eyeing you and inviting you to join them. The peaceful landscape is completed by the enchanting beach close by, challenging you to dive into its aquamarine waters, even if October has said a final farewell to summer. Exploration is just beginning Just as the mythical Nymphs with the goddess Artemis who was once worshipped here, the beaches on the island each have their own beauty and charm. You approach each in a different way, some by road, others along pathways and yet others from the sea, to enjoy something different on each one. Rocky coastlines, golden sands and pebbly beaches satisfy all preferences. They will all though offer you moments of relaxation with their crystal waters and the Cycladic scenery all around. «Sifnos. A place that if you visit once you ll visit again» the island s online friends often declare. In this case, Man seems to follow the tried and tested recipe of Nature. This destination is included in the Natura 2000 programme. It is the home of many protected species and also on the route of migratory birds, such as the heron, the bee-eater, the turtle-dove and many water fowl. 3Trips The beauty of Nature, the picturesque villages, the unique monasteries and the historical monuments are highlights on the map of your memories. Just the route that unites them is left. Organized paths have been created and are maintained with the aim of combining a walking experience, a mood for fun, knowledge, enjoyment, comfort and the necessary services, such as the possibility of returning on public transport. With distances ranging from 4km to 14km, these routes are chosen on the basis of expert knowledge and years of experience. Yet the pathways are not a recent discovery. It is in the nature of Sifnos and its locals to constantly create tracks and pathways to transport villagers, goods, animals, leading to villages and pastures. The result is impressive. Endless networks of pathways that blend into the surroundings are there for you to discover and enjoy! Exploration on Sifnos leads to discoveries, to small and large «treasures». It is perhaps no coincidence that the island was chosen as the site for the filming of the Greek hit film entitled «ISLAND 2: The hunt for lost treasure». 6 Sifnos 7
Villages & Churches 3Unique villages 3Beauty and architecture 3Churches 3And dozens of experiences 3Villages The German architect Dr Friedrich Christoph Wagner dedicated six successive years to the island recording its every corner. In his book he is clearly impressed by «anonymous architecture as an expression of the environment and lifestyle!». The traditional settlements in Sifnos «blend in» exceptionally well with the landscape and the human element, but differ between themselves like distinct personalities. The settlement of Kastro, the island s ancient capital, has kept its medieval character and offers a panoramic view over the whole island. Apollonia, the island s present-day centre, was named after Apollo, the ancient god of light. Its dozens of cobbled streets throb with energy and life. In the north lies Artemonas. Its «purpose» is to impress you with its Cycladic mansions and guide you along the path of tradition. Wandering through the island, you will come across two brothers, one complementing the other, Ano and Kato Petali. In Exambela, birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, you will be welcomed by white windmills while the little villages of Agios Loukas and Katavatis will guide you through the details and myths in the island s history. Each village has a different flavour. Along the unforgettable route you will be enchanted by the blue of the sea and the island s coastal settlements. Kamares, Plati Gialos, Faros, Herronisos, Chrysopigi and Vathi promise unique moments of hospitality and relaxation. The beaches of Poulati, Seralia and Vroulidion ideally make up this dreamlike image. The route becomes a pleasure when it leads along pathways or by sea to heavenly places, such as Vlihada, Gialoudia, Artimoni, Tsoha and Fikiada. Above all, each village is a joy to stay in, to wander through and to taste its delights in white, freshly-painted, cube-shaped houses, built with care according to dozens of different techniques and decorations. 3Churches Centuries ago, pirates lay siege to the island. Legend says that one nun was left to defend the Monastery. The Virgin Mary heard her prayers and rent the ground in two, with the result that the attackers fell into the hole! Since then, just a thin strip of land unites the island with the best-known church, the Virgin Mary of Chrysopigi, the present-day patron saint of the island, a unique church, but not the only one. «A church for every day of the year my son!», claims the local who will willingly start to chat. What is special about the case of Sifnos is not quantity but uniqueness. Each church differs from the previous one just as each day differs from the rest. A story from the past is attached to each monastery and chapel. Some were built on top of ancient temples and others as an expression of joy. Correspondingly a story is created for the immediate future. Each church means a festival and a celebration. The place exudes a positive aura and is a «magnet» for tourists who dream of getting married in a picturesque little church overlooking the Aegean Sea. Each church lives with the inhabitants and the friends of the island, creating experiences and images. «A church for every day of the year my son!» 8 Sifnos 9
Gastronomy & Local Products 3Pure materials 3Dozens of tasty dishes 3Innumerable recipes The people that know how to appreciate what the land and nature produce, they know the secret of good food 3Gastronomy If the Cyclades were a little white house, then Sifnos would be the kitchen where family members gather for dinner, while delicious smells invade each room. As the birthplace of many great chefs, like Nikos Tselementes, Sifnos «trained» Greece in the art of gastronomy. Its secret does not lie in the correct amount of ingredients, but in the spontaneous soul and the delicacy of Sifnos. It is no coincidence that the highlight of every festival is the generous meal that the panigyras provides for all, or in other words, the great «table of love». The local menu includes many tasty, traditional dishes, such as revithokeftedes (chickpea patties), yardlong beans (ambelofasoula) with garlic sauce, the traditional Sunday revithada (chickpea soup) that is cooked all Saturday night in a wood-burning oven, kaparosalata (caper salad) and meat baked in a clay pot (mastelo). The inhabitants keep the best for dessert: homemade Sifnian sweets and biscuits, such as, amigdalota (almond biscuits), melopita (honey pie), bourekia (patties), kourabiedes (walnut sugar biscuits), pasteli (sesame and honey bar), loukoumia (Turkish delight), kouloures (rings) and the delicious «loli» kolokithopita (pumpkin pie). «They call it loli, meaning crazy, as the ingredients used make the pie so creamy and light that it wobbles like... crazy!», exclaims with admiration the famous Greek gastronomer and chef, Ilias Mamalakis. 3Local products The people that know how to appreciate what the land and Nature produce, they know the secret of good food. Besides one of the special features of the local cuisine is dishes cooked in clay pots that are made by local potters! Sifnian honey is well-known for its purity and high quality. It owes its exceptional flavour and unique aroma to the thyme that overruns the island. With a long tradition in dairy farming, Sifnians use milk to produce a large range of soft and hard cheeses. Using the huge copper pot that brings to mind references in Homer s Odyssey, the timeless recipe produces aromatic, tasty, fresh cheeses. The sweet boiled mizithra, otherwise known as unsalted anthotiro, is an ingredient used in the melopita prepared by housewives at Easter. Salty, dried anthotiro adds flavour to pasta, Sifnian manoura with its unique, spicy flavour is an enjoyable meze with wine or ouzo, and the delicious xinomizithra, an essential ingredient of pies and salads. The island has much more to offer, such as the unique, sweet-smelling, traditional wines, locally made, while the herbs for use in drinks and cooking must not be overlooked; sage, chamomile, oregano, thyme and marjoram, as well as choice capers. 10 Sifnos 11
Pottery & Culture 3The inspiration of Man 3The power of Nature 3Mood for creation 3Pottery There are activities in which «you step on the gas, not to accelerate, but to relieve tension!» Pottery belongs to this category! Sifnos is considered the starting-point for the development and spread of pottery-making, both in the Cyclades, and in Greece as a whole. Statuettes and various vessels that were located during excavations date back to the Early Cycladic period! Since then, the art has passed from generation to generation with unfailing interest, as a result of the inclination of Man, as well as of Nature, which provides the necessary raw materials, such as argil deposits, plenty of water and strong sunshine. The potter sets the speed of the wheel as if he is stepping on the gas, so that the clay takes shape beneath his fingers. In Sifnos you can find wonderful household items (eg. for cooking, carrying) that withstand the test of time, as well as decorative clay vessels, produced by the skilful hands of Sifnian potters with the most typical being the «flaros». The flaros is essentially a chimney on a Sifnian house, although nowadays they hold pride of place as ornaments or lights. At the same time, you can attend pottery lessons which relax you, relieve tension and contribute to your inner balance! 3Culture In Sifnos, art and the local population walk side by side. Pottery is a part of life. Cookery is converted into an expression of the soul and takes a leading role in the original gastronomy festival «Nikos Tselementes» where almost all the Cycladic islands cook around a big table and join together in fun, creativity and joy. Festivals are a pleasant part of everyday life all year round, allowing you to feel the island deep within you. There you will also have the chance to meet the island s famous couple. The traditional instruments, the fiddle and the lute, together accompany all entertainment and tradition. Easter in Sifnos is a holiday for the locals, for Nature and for the visitor, with countless delicacies, smells and traditional fairs. On Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday the family table is full of local meats, cheeses and sweets. There is great joy on Easter Sunday; Judas is symbolically burnt, sometimes in the square in Artemonas and other times in Apollonia, while in some villages the age-old custom of playing «tsounia», a game like bowling, is still kept up! At the same time, cultural and visual events are held permanently during the summer season, both by associations and bodies, as well as by individuals. Book presentations, small and large concerts, theatrical performances and visual exhibitions by the National Art Gallery and the Benaki Museum with both modern and historical themes, are just a small example of artistic expression in Sifnos! In Sifnos, art and the local population walk side by side. 12 Sifnos 13
Hospitality 3Pure «raw materials» 3And you! The incentive for friends arriving on the island every year from Greece and overseas, is one. To seek their own special recipe for harmony. Your relationship with Sifnos is much like that of the potter with his clay. You shape it to your liking, so long as the result satisfies you. Along the way you will have many, pure raw materials at your disposal. History and tradition will transport you back in time. Nature will lead you along new routes full of little villages and hundreds of shrines. Gastronomy will reward your decision to visit Sifnos, while the arts will open up new horizons. The locals will always be with you along the way. Kind-hearted people, proud of their island, the inhabitants consider volunteering, cleanliness and hospitality their philosophy of life and not their duty. Their services «reflect» the honesty in their smiles. Special local products are available all over the island. High-standard accommodation combines tradition, the Cyclades and modern services. Good food and high-quality wine are served in picturesque tavernas and in stylish restaurants. Sweets, drinks and aperitifs are the ideal accompaniment and are served in authentic sweet-shops, modern bars and cafeterias, the high spot being the famous alleyway in Apollonia where fun, artistic spirit and good taste take precedence and the pulse of nightlife beats. Just as in any successful recipe, here too you must take the initiative so as to make your life «tastier» even during periods other than summer, like Easter, and to enjoy experiences, like an island wedding. Besides the incentive for friends arriving on the island every year from Greece and overseas, is one. To seek their own special recipe for harmony. 14 Sifnos 15
Useful Info Town Hall +30 22843 60300, Sifnos Municipal Tourist Office 22840 33661, Police Station +30 2284031210, Port Authority +30 2284033617, Health Center +30 2284031315, Post Office +30 2284031329 MUSEUMS Archaeological +30 2284031022, Folklore +30 2284031341 www.sifnos.gr Ecclesiastical museum of Monis Vrisis +30 2284031335 QR code How to use it. It s very simple: 1. If you haven t got any QR Code Reader software in you Smart phone you could download free from the http://reader.kaywa.com/ or the http://www.tagem.com/. Then you should install the software to your Smart phone and finally it is ready to use it 2. Take a picture of the QR Code with your Smart phone 16 Sifnos