Due to the position of Amorgos across from ancient beaches of Ionian towns, such as Militos, Alikarnasos and Efessos, it became one of the first places from which the Ionians passed through to the Cyclades Islands and onto mainland Greece.

The existence of three independent cities with autonomous constitution and the same currency, which have been preserved to this day, the size and artistic works of the walls surrounding the city of Arkesini, the ancient towers to which skeletons were raised to this day all over the island, the ancient tombs, the stone tools, the inscriptions, the vases and other antiquities are all powerful proof of the size of the ancient civilisation of Amorgos. 
  
Amorgos is also known as Yperia, Patagy, or Platagy, Pagali, Psichia, and Karkisia. Part of the island is named Aspis, where the ancient temple of the Goddess Aphrodite stood. From the name Minoa we suspect that from ancient times Amorgos had been colonised by the Cretans. Also, according to Suidan and from inscriptions, Samians inhabited the island under the leadership of Simmias. With the passing of time the islands name changed to Amolgon, Amourgon, Amorgian, and Amourgian. After the 5th century you can also find the name Amoulgos from Bishop Theodore who signed a Synod in Constantinople, as Theodore the Bishop of Parion, Sifnion, and Amoulgion. Skilax mentions it as Tripoli (the circumnavigation of the Cyclades Islands). The names of the three cities given by Stefanos Vizantios are Arkesini, Minoa, Aigiali or Melania where according to inscriptions, are the more correct. The three towns are on the island's east coast because only there you can find the right bays and natural ports that could provide the proper positioning for seaside towns and forts. 

Aigiali was on the north East Side of the island close to the present day locations of Tholaria and Stroumvos and to this day can still be found there. Whilst Minoa is situated at the centre of the northern side close to the present day village of Katapola, and Arkesini close to the present day lowland location Castri.

From excavations and findings, especially burial tombs we believe that the presence of Amorgos during the prehistoric years existed intensely, particularly during the first period of Cycladic civilisation (3200 to 2000 BC).
 
The town of Minoa could be considered a colony of Crete, but if the name Minoa was Greek, then it would represent towns established in subsequent periods, expanding in areas where the Cretan domination was situated. The three towns were considered colonies of Samos, though most probably Minoa was a Samiaki colony, Aigiali a colony of Milisia and Arkesini a colony of Naxos. These three cities flourished during historical times and had enormous trade and naval power. They were composed of a commonwealth until the second half of the 4th century BC, which is why in the taxation catalogues of the first Athenian alliance with Dilos, the inhabitants of the towns are cited by the name Amorgians. 

The naval battle of Amorgos happened in the area in 322 BC, which was the last of the Lamiakou war, between the Athenians and the Macedonian Generals of Alexander the Great of Antiparou, Leonnato and Kratero. That was when Athens lost if naval power forever. Amorgos became known for the tunics called Amorgina or Amorgides, which were very transparent, leaving the body almost naked and had a unique red colour. The tunics are even mentioned in Lisistartis of Aristophanis at the time where Lisistratis was motivating the women to wear them in order to attract men's attention. These tunics were made from flax of excellent quality and came from the plant Lichina Roccela tinctoria or Roccela Phicopsis Ach, which was found plenty on the island and was used by the English industry until the beginning the 20th century.

KATAPOLA - the main port of Amorgos - sometimes considered as the best natural port of all Cyclades - is a beatuiful port build in the cycladic style and surrounded by settlements of Xilokeratidi, Rahidi and underneath the mountain there is an ancient Minoa place - one of the most important cycladic excavation sites.
 
The visitors can also visit a lot of other see-sights on the island - Hora Amorgos and Monastery of Chozoviotissia.
 
The monastery of Chozoviotissia
There are 300 steps that separate the visitor from the entrance to the monastery. Another 900 years separate him from the monastery's establishment. That which unites everyone no matter who visits the monastery is the awe and the admiration for this important work, a memorial hymn for the human faith and will. In a rough landscape of unbelievable beauty and wildness, loyal people overcame their weaknesses and managed what today is known as a small miracle. 
Built upon steep rock cliffs it hangs into an abyss as if touched by the hand of God.

The monastery was built in 1088 and was renovated by the Byzantine emperor Alexio Komnino. The reason for the erection of the monastery was the finding of an icon of the Virgin Mary, which arrived from Chosovo or Chosova in Palestine. Chosivas or Koziva's location is found in the Holy lands near Jericho. The persecutions of the Christians in the 9th Century brought as by miracle the icon to Amorgos, a location that is said to have been chosen by the Virgin Mary herself.

The renovation and whitewash of the walls all these years have covered important information about the history of the Monastery. During the Venetian rule (1296-1537) many changes and expansions were made leaving behind hints of western influence. Not even during Turkish rule (1537-1824) was the monastery's prosperity interrupted. Its fortune allowed the bribery of its religious freedom from the Turkish Pashas. The monastery had shares of Crete, Lero, Naxos, Paros, and Astipalaia as well as the desert islands Kero, Nikouria and Grampoussa.

Even the recent buildings don't alter the characteristic structure. It is 40 metres in length though its width is 5 metres. Narrow rocky steps lead to the 8 floors and unite parts of the monastery. Its arches are built with flint brought from Milos. The use of wood suggests the existence of forest in the area (particularly forests with certain types of cypress trees).

The monastery is composed of the monks' cells, the treasury, the kitchen, its ovens, its storage rooms, rooms for the bread baking, cellars for wines, rooms for the earthenware jars with oil as well as the lime pits and the wells.

The furnaces and the cookhouses do not function anymore, although the treasury opens to the faithful on the 21st November during the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.

In 1977 three small cells were combined and visitors can now admire some of the Monastery's heirlooms while at the same time enjoying the citrus and marshmallow treats.

Amorgos Island hotels we recommend

VIGLA HOTEL AMORGOS ISLAND *** The Hotel Vigla on Amorgos Island is located at the entry of the traditional village of Tholaria overlooking the Aigiali bay with the splendid arkshaped beach. double room 85 EUR