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Anafi is a small island, which has a remarkable history. Starting from the less convincing versions of the myths, which though, not rarely, surprise with their relation with the historical events, Anafi is known as a shelter for the Argonauts, when the God Apollon showed the island in front of them, in order to save them from certain death in heavy seas
First inhabitants of the island were the Phoenics who came to the island with Memorial from whom the island first named Memorial. Relevant mythological version supports that the mythical person Membliaros discovered the island while he was traveling with Kadmos searching for Europe. In ancient years, in Anafi, it was very widespread the worship of the God Apollon. The temple in honor of this God was built in the position in which now stands the Monastery of Kalamiotisa. Mortal remains of the old town are saving in the Museum of Petroupolis and in the Archaeological Museum of Athens.
The 5th century b.C, Anafi was still known during the Christian and Roman years. From the year 1207 a.C, came to different Frankest firms. Characteristic monument of this period is the Castle of Krispi at the top of the hill of Chora, which was built from Goulielmo Crispi and the Fort Gribritoli in the hill of Kalamos, which was useful as a shelter of the inhabitants from the aggressors.
The year 1537, the island passed to the mastership of Chairedin Varvarosa, who kidnaped all the men of the island. Later the inhabitants of the island took energetic part in the Greek revolution of the year 1821. The union with Greece came finally the year 1832. In the modern years and specific in the years of the kingship of Othona, most of the inhabitants of Anafi abandoned the island and they were located in the foothill of Acropolis, buyilting there roughly accommodations, which stayed known as Anafiotika, and today they represent a cycladic oasis in the center of Athens. Also below ancient Acropolis, in Panagia in Dokari and near to the homonyms chapel, they are saving remains from an ancient temple and marmoreal Roman carnivorous.
Anafi is the last island from the southeastern cycladic islands. It is located 12n.m eastward of Santorini, its extension is 38 sq. kilometers and it has a triangular shape, with a small extension toward to the eastward, where a small peninsula takes shape.
The coasts are uneven and they make small bights. From the tops of the mountains, the highest are Vigla (554m), Kalamos (459m) and the high ground of Agios Ioannis the Theologian (350m). In the position of Vagia, there are unexploited thionic healing sources. The island has many sources and is being crossed by some draughts, which are mostly torrents. The most known torrents are Megas Potamos, Kalibakes and Modi. The population of the island doesn't get over upwards of 500 people, who are mainly working on the growth of the little plains and with the cattle breeding. Special products of the island are fish, thyme honey and goat cheese. The harbor of the Old Town is located in Katalimakia or Katalimatsa, where scatteringly architectonic peaces and fragments of Hellenistic and Roman vessels are saving.
In Kasteli are saving the wreckage of ancient Acropolis and of the main settlement of the Ancient Town, and dispersal stone architectonic peaces, parts of sculptures and vessels from the archaic and until the Roman period. This city, as it proves from the lucky finds, was developed especially from the 4th century b.C until the 2nd century b.C, but also the modern Anafi, it seems to consist of the main settlement -the one which is saving in Kasteli-but also a little one in the today's position of Chora. Special interests are the mortal remains of the ancient cemetery, such as signboard and Roman sculptures
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