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Chora on Serifos

Per Nørgaard

Chora is the main attraction on Serifos. It is the old capital located on a hill above Livádi and serves as the administrative center of the island. From here, the inhabitants kept a watchful eye on ships approaching the coast during turbulent times. One could never be sure if they had friendly intentions, so it was important to be well-prepared.

Chora is divided into two parts – the lower town (Káto Chora) and the upper town (Ano Chora). The town is a labyrinth of snow-white houses, narrow streets, and alleys with arcades. Every so often, we come across bougainvillea plants exploding in red and purple, with trunks forcing their way between the cobblestones, miraculously finding root and nourishment beneath them. The steps eventually lead us to Ano Chora and the square Pano Piastra, with its beautiful neoclassical-style town hall. Next to the town hall, you can see the Byzantine church of Agios Athanasios with its blue dome – the cathedral of Serifos. Three other churches in Chora worth visiting are Evangelismos, Agios Eleftherios, and Agios Konstantinos.


In the square in front of the town hall, there is a café that is lively and bustling in the evenings. On a rocky outcrop at the very top of the town, you will find the remains of a castle and the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos. According to myth, it was here that the head of Medusa, the monster that Perseus managed to slay with the help of the gods, was buried. It is said that there was once a temple dedicated to Athena on this site.

Chora also has a folk museum, an archaeological museum, and a theater. We wanted to visit the Archaeological Museum on a Monday, but of course, it was closed. We should have known. Museums are usually closed on this day.


A narrow path leads from Chora down to the old washing place (plistario). Along the road at the edge of the town stand some whitewashed windmills with thatched roofs.



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