Sifnos History

Sifnos History, Greece: Information about the history of Sifnos, Cyclades

The island of Sifnos is inhabited since the Neolithic Age.

During the early Bronze Age (3000 BC), settlers from Asia Minor came to the island and meddled with the inhabitants, developing the Early Cycladic culture.

The Greek archaeologist Christos Tsoundas brought to light clusters of 3rd century graves and foundations of settlements.

Between 1130 and 1120 BC the Ionians colonized Sifnos as well as the rest of the Cycladic.

During this time the new capital of Sifnos was established where the present-day Kastro stands.

The high artistic, commercial and cultural development of Sifnos during this period is proved by the numerous marble buildings, bases of column, various objects, graves, water supplies and

Sifnos came under the authority of the Ptolemies of Egypt. In 146 BC, the Romans took control of all the territories of the ex Macedonian empire.

Like all the Cycladic island, Sifnos was suffering from constant raids led by Venetian, Arab, Byzantine, Turk and Frank pirates.

In 1207, Sifnos fell under the authority of Marko Sanudo, duke of Naxos, who had by then all of

In the Late Bronze Age (1600 BC), Sifnos came under the cultural and commercial domination of the Minoans of Crete.

Excavations have revealed small settlements in Kastro, as well as vestiges of an imposing acropolis at the Agios Andreas archaeological site.

In 1400 BC, the explosion of Santorini destroyed the main centres of the Minoan civilization. The Mycenaeans took control of Sifnos and the other islands of the area. Important Mycenaean remains have been found all over Sifnos.

various sanctuaries.

During the 6th century BC, the inhabitants of Sifnos were very wealthy because of an amount of gold and silver found on the island.

During the 5th century BC, Sifnos became part of the Delian league and came under the domination of Athens.

In 338 BC, Sifnos fell under the rule of Philip of Macedonia and became a small part of the great Macedonian Empire, followed by the authority of Alexander the Great, the son of Philip. After his death, his many heirs divided the Macedonian lands and

the Cycladic Islands under his influence.

Then Sifnos was ruled by a Spaniard, and later given as a dowry to Nicolas Gozzadino of Bologna. Sifnos remained under the influence of the Gozzadini dynasty until 1537. Culture of Sifnos flourished that time and in fact a Greek school was established, the school of Agios Tafos.

During the Greek Revolution of 1821, Sifnos joined the fight against the Turkish rule, led by Nikolas Chrysogelas. In 1833, during King Othon times, Sifnos was divided into the two municipalities of Apollonia and Artemonas-Kastro.

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