Keros

The Mystic Island

Female Silhouettes of the Cycladic Civilization

A mysterious island that resembles a female Cycladic statuette, home to one of the most important centers of the Cycladic civilization lies on the southeast side of Ano Koufonisi. Keros is an island with rugged landscapes and dramatic cliffs that has been designated as a protected archaeological site from the Ministry of Culture. Keros was one of the most important centers of the Cycladic civilization, once as important as Delos owing to its white fine-grained marble, an important asset of the Cycladic civilization. This bare isle is waiting for you to discover it!

Mysterious Greece Tips

About Keros

General Information about Keros

Keros was one of the most important centers of the Cycladic civilization.  The ancient town of Keros was built on the land that connected Keros with its neighbouring island of Daskalio, which is now submerged in the seabed. It is a semi mountainous and steep island. It highest peak is Pappas Mount at an altitude of 432 meters. Rural dirt roads run through the central part of Keros. However, they are narrow and inaccessible, used only of sheep and goats. Today, the shepherds’ huts and two small churches are the sole evidence of human presence of the island.

Historical Information about Keros

In ancient times, the name of the island was Keria and it was a member of the Athenian Alliance. During the middle ages, the island was used as a shelter from the pirates while later it became a property of the Monastery of Hozoviotissa of the island of Amorgos. During the Early Cycladic period, Keros was one of the most important centers of the Cycladic civilization, once as important as Delos owing to its white fine-grained marble, an important asset of the Cycladic civilization.  The ancient town of Keros was built on the land that connected Keros with its neighbouring island of Daskalio, which is now submerged in the seabed.

Travel Information about Keros

By Boat (4.5 Nautical Miles): Keros is accessible by boat from the harbour of Ano Koufonisi.

Cycladic Silhouettes: The Shape of Keros

The shape of the island, which resembles the female figurines of the Cycladic Civilization, is supposed to have inspired the creators of the female figurines!

Full Moon Nights from Koufonisia

On full moon nights, the moon falls on the profile of Keros in such a way that it looks like a female figure floating on the sea when viewed from Koufonisia!

It’s Sunset Time

Don’t miss out watching the spectacular sunset from Keros!

Myths and Legends: The Gates of Hades

Archaeologists believe that the island was a place where the surrounding islands brought the dead people, as it was considered one of the Gates of Hades, the God of Death. This is hypothesized from many archaeologists due to the discovery of the shattered objects that were found in a cave of the island.

Sailing in Keros

Keros is a semi mountainous and steep island extending over a surface of fifteen square kilometers only one nautical mile from Ano Koufonisi. The coastline of the island is twenty seven kilometers long. There are a few natural harbors and coves on the south and northeast side of Keros that one could moor his boat.