The name has two versions to its origin. The first claimed that the name Koufonisia is actually the
ancient name given to the gulfbetween Koufonisia and Glaronisi.
Koufos Limin means Lee Port where ships would anchor. Manesis supported the theory that the name was selected because there were a number of caves etc without large rocks found on this island.
A third theory was propounded by Anthony Miliarakis saying that Pano Koufonisi was the “Fakousa” and Kato Koufonisia was “Pino”. There was a lot of fighting between the Ottomans, the Venetians, the Moors and of course, the Byzantine Empire. |
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1830 saw Koufonisia freed and incorporated with the young
Greek Nation. There were
incidences of residents joining the pirates either out of choice or for occupation of some kind.
In the years after the abandonment by the turks and before the Greek government had been established, one found that the islands were mainly inhabitants of Amorgos which came under the authority of the Hozoviotissa Monastery of Amorgos. The land was leased to peasants who gave tribute to the monks in agricultural goods.
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they buried east of the village. The end of the World War II saw the people of these islands turn to the sea for their daily food requirement.
Now came the era of artificial refrigeration and cheap motor boats which made fishing activities relatively easier.
The fish would then be transported in ice boxes to either Athens or Naxos where the earnings were good. This was considerd more lucrative than beans or grains. More peasanst turned to fishing and soon the settlements on Kato Koufonisia were abandoned for Ano koufonissia which became the new destination. Here there were good harbours and the fishing industry flourished. |
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