Kastro, Sifnos

The picturesque village of Kastro

The ancient capital of Sifnos, Kastro

The toponym Kastro means Castle. At the east of Sifnos, on an abrupt rock with excellent panoramic view to the Aegean sea, there is the historic village Kastro, one of the most picturesque regions of Sifnos. The life there goes on in an autonomous way since the prehistoric times, and besides the ages that pass, Kastro always manages to keep something from its old glamour and nobility.

The village of Kastro and the small port of Seralia in Sifnos

A sloping road leads to Kastro; it is 3,5 kilometers long, it starts from Apollonia and takes your breath away, when after a sudden turn the visitor faces the settlement. The residential installation at the village exists since the prehistoric times, according to the findings of the excavations. The settlement of nowadays, which is built over the ancient capital of Sifnos, the "asty" of Herodotus, still maintains the characteristics of the Venetian fortress that has been built by the dynasty of Da Corogna, in 1635.

Arc-entrance at Kastro, Sifnos

It is up to this day one of the most important settlements of medieval urban planning structure in Sifnos and in Greece. For safety reasons, the main characteristics of the settlement are: narrowness, lack of spaces of public use, small courtyards, narrow streets with rare shapeless widening spaces and the unique square which is formed in front of the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos. The visitor of Sifnos still enters into Kastro from its old entrances - arcades, the "lozies", which used to seal in the past for the protection of the settlement like war towers.

At the internal arrangement of the settlement, the planning is quite free and many of the streets are passing over the houses’ rooms. The arrangement of the streets’ levels is such that in many cases passing is possible by small bridges. The houses of Kastro are divided in two categories, the houses with narrow front sides, and the mansions. The houses with the narrow front sides mainly of the external ring are built the one next to the other and they form the external part of the settlement.

At the entrance of the village, where today you shall find the cemetery of Kastro and the temples of Agios Stefanos and Agios Ioannis (1629), was once the famous School of Agios Tafos (1687-1835), also known as the "Educational Institution of the Archipelago". At the south foot of Kastro’s hill there is Seralia, the ancient port of Sifnos, where there is a small beach and restaurants with fresh fish and fantastic views.

Wandering around the narrow back streets of Kastro offers moments of unique pleasure! One could say that in this place time has stopped, while the atmosphere captures the visitor transmitting the glamour of the old times of Sifnos. The narrow paved streets with the low stone benches, the dark arcades, the old houses with the wooden balconies, the blazons at the entrances, the ancient pillars that were later used as architectural parts, the marble Roman urns that one meets spread all over the village with the relief jewels, the embrasures and the narrow courtyards of the houses, the picturesque little church of the "Eftamartyros", which seems to have climbed on a rock rising of the sea, compose a unique experience that everyone must have!

In Kastro there is one Archaeological Museum of Sifnos, which includes marvelous collections of Archaic and Hellenistic sculptures.

The village of Kastro in spring time

At the entrance of Kastro there is the old Elementary School of Kastro, which no longer operates as a school. However it opens its doors during the summer to host various exhibitions of Sifnos in its rooms (photography, painting, exhibitions of items from the Benaki Museum etc.).

Here you shall find rooms and apartments to let, traditional little taverns and fish-houses, patisseries, shops, gift-shops and coffee-bars.

Remember to:

  • Walk at the peripheral path
  • Visit the archaeological museum

It is worth to:

  • Go at the small church of 7 Martyres
  • Visit Seralia for food or coffee (beach)
  • To see the sunrise from the peripheral path or the church of 7 Martyres

Gallery

The village of Kastro in spring time The entrance at the village of Kastro Walking around the alleys of Kastro Alley at Kastro village with an ancient column The village of Kastro with heavy clouds The small church of 7 Martyres at the sunset Narrow alleys in the village of Kastro Kastro village and the church of 7 Martyres, from the sea A red balcony in Kastro village in Sifnos An old entrance to the Kastro village
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Petra & Fos Studios


Petra & Fos Studios, Kastro, Sifnos

Kastro, Sifnos

Petra and Fos blends harmoniously with the Sifnian landscape and reflects the traditional Cycladic style. We welcome you heartily to our resort to spend a carefree and revitalising stay...

Petra & Fos Studios telephone

Petra & Fos Studios telephone +30 2284032410

Location of Petra & Fos Studios: Kastro, Sifnos
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Petra & Fos Studios
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Antonis rooms


Antonis rooms, Kastro, Sifnos

Kastro, Sifnos

Discover the perfect escape to our hospitable and fully functional rooms, which not only offer comfortable accommodation but also a unique experience of contact with nature...

Antonis rooms telephone

Antonis rooms telephone +30 2284033708

Location of Antonis rooms: Kastro, Sifnos
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Antonis rooms
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To Maro


To Maro, Kastro, Sifnos

Kastro, Sifnos

On the way to Kastro, built at the edge of the road, on a crag with a view to the east and to the islands north and east of Sifnos, you shall find the 9 spacious rooms, which can accommodate 2-4 guests....

To Maro telephone

To Maro telephone +30 6986929435

Location of To Maro: Kastro, Sifnos
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To Maro
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