Menites was reputed as a grand, prestigious place, where visitors from other villages walked its streets with hats on as a gesture of respect. It is located very close to the Andros Chora. Menites is one of Andros’ most beautiful villages due to its natural beauty and traditional architecture. It’s an impressive historical settlement, which can be explored by walking its stone alleys and passages. The village boasts about the wealth of greenery, its natural springs, and the old Byzantine churches and chapels.
Have your water bottles empty
The main attractions of the village are the natural springs and the thick shadow from the trees. Here, regardless the heat, it is always cool and pleasant. Fill up your water bottles with fresh waters have a snack or a coffee and then resume your cycling. Your day has just been upgraded.
The location has been chosen by the first settlers of Andros during the 10th century BC. Historians are yet to explain how and why they arrive at this place. The most amazing factor is how.
This part of Andros island is a steep, naturally fortified, remote peninsula. Examing the ruins, someone notices the unusual structure of their residences which probably acted as camouflage, hiding their presence from the sea. Moreover, the settlers had erected strong walls to enhance their natural fortification. The multiple adversities and perils that residents evidently contended at those times, and led them to take all those measures of protection, constitute a still unresolved issue for scientists to this day.
How to get there by bike and a few cycling tips.
To approach that part of Andros, you will need to hike down a trail, the one that gets you to Zagora. If order to do so, you will have to lock your bikes at the trails entry point or somewhere on the main road.
Alternately, you may cycle down the gravel segment, until the roads becomes too rough. You can lock you bike there.
Please mind, that there is no restaurant or grocery store in close proximity, hence having water and food with you should be previously taken care of. The closest option would be at the main intersection on your enroute from/to Andros, where you can find a taverna. To our knowledge, this taverna is open during the summer months, but we are not sure of its status for the rest of the year. Hopefully, the more the cyclists visiting the place the better the chances are for all us to enjoy their services longer 🙂
Tip: right at the top of the site, a stunning, ultimately secluded beach is visible. In order to get there, you need to head back the trail and turn left approximately one kilometre after leaving from Ancient Zagora.
It extremely unlikely for visitors during their time on Andros not to notice the great depth of shipping culture and how this has shaped the island. Stenies village is one of the places that played an important role and paying this spot a visit is definitely a worthwhile thing to do.
Here, you will find no statutes, no archeological museums, no specials things. Here, you will have to discover everything yourself and for doing that, you will need a totally different approach. But first you need to understand why this is should be the way.
Generations of captains come from here, get off the bike and just… listen
The quaint alleys, traditional yards with blooming flowers, and flourishing lemon trees make any visitor to appreciate a “tidy”, clean villa full of smells and colors. But is that all? Certainly not.
Even from the beginning of the 18th century, becoming a seaman was a matter of pride among the small community of Stenies village. The more the years of experience in the open sea someone had, the more the esteem and the respect he received. In the case of being a captain in a big, steam powered vessels that was enough for someone to become one among the most prominent members of Stenies population. All of the seamen families here have been wealthy at some point. Many of them decided to go down a cosmopolitan way and they have moved to Athens, with some to have gone outside of the country (many of them are staying in London). The ones that stayed in Stenies, did so because this is their true home. It is breathtaking to think of people that have travelled the world for years, but could find no peace like the one back at home.
Therefore, for any curious cyclist who want to discover this true and fascinating side of the village, find the small “kafenio”, enjoy some coffee. Be always timid and avoid be loud or demanding; remember, that is the people’s special home and foreigners who do not respect this important place aren’t welcome – it makes perfect sense.
A cycling coffee stop full of stories from the sea
If you are lucky to see any of the locals joining you at the Kafenio, just ask them about the Stenies village and its history. If that person is in the mood to share more, do not leave. The stories you will hear would be real gold and then the magic will happen. You will discover this place through the people narratives and you will learn a lot about how the shipping industry was back then, at a time where real skills and courage needed to overcome on the hurdles of sailing in the open seas.
Palaiopolis is an ancient settlement in Andros, which thrived from the Classical era till the prevalence of the Roman Empire. Its ancient port, nowadays partially sunk, is particularly impressive and frequently observed by scuba divers. The picturesque villages and the flourishing yards of the houses draw the attention of visitors, who are given the opportunity to explore the place by following the central path that ends up to the beach. There is also an archaeological museum, which exhibits artifacts excavated in the area as well as other pertinent information about life in ancient Andros.
Cycling uphill is not that hard
When cyclists spot the sign to Paleopolis, they begin to have second thought whether they should go down that road or not. Indeed, it looks very steep, but it reality the grade is challenging, but impossible. The bikes can be dropped off at the main parking lot in front of this building and accessing the beach side is on foot. Leaving the bike there is perfectly safe, but locking them is even better 🙂 . Following the trail that starts from there, would be only thing needed to reach the sea level, a great spot to enjoy some rest.
Tips for cyclists
When you follow the path and you come across a fence, or something similar that blocks the way, you are welcome to open it, but mind closing it again, to avoid and sheeps or goats escaping the private property.
If you are using clipped in shoes, mind to bring a pair of flops with you. Walking down the trail with cleat type shoes, is not an experience we recommend 🙂
Using an MTB or a gravel bike can get you all the way to the beach side. Pure joy!
There is no kiosk or taverna where you can buy water or food from once you leave the main road. You may buy all you need before you descend towards the beach side.
Historically, the Towers of Andros belonged to prominent families. According to records, the erection of such edifices began during the 17th century as they provided both accommodation and protection. The adjustment and development of the old Andriotic house provided safety to the residents from the attacks of pirates. It’s particularly impressive to notice that incorporated to the doors of each castle, there were murder holes from which boiling water was poured to invaders.
On this case Pyrgos Mpistis was built early in the 17th century and has two storage compartments and many rooms. Going from one room to the other, was feasible with a moving ladder, no stairs, indicating the need from safety and protection.
The degree of isolation was so big that at the upper compartment, the owners have built a dovecote ensuring enough food and provisions for the residence.
It is believe that the need for protection was mainly to secure the great wealth shipping families had accumulated over the years, against looters and pirates.
The last time we visited the tower, we didn’t notice any access to water or toilet facilities. Also, if you plan to have to cycling break here, bring a pair of flops or wear your training shoes, since walking any clipped shoes is going to be a hassle.
There is no fee for visit the tower, but be cautious when you enter inside; the building in quite old.
The legend has it that the spring was named after Pasa San Riza who dwelled in Evia. His fez (Turkish hat) fell into a stream and was washed away in a spring in the village Apoikia in Andros Island. On this ground, it is believed that the two islands were connected.
The exact date of the renovation of the marble font of the spring is vague, yet we know that it was founded in 1787 under the supervision of Makarios Polemis who also funded the whole project. It was optimized mainly for household use, for watering gardens and for washing clothes by the women of the village.
The quantity of this water remains stable. The water has healing properties, thus in 1932 under royal charter, it was suggested that it cures kidney ailments and many other diseases.
It is an undisputed fact that the healing waters of the spring were fully deployed in 1929 when a factory was constructed to bottle it and export it to numerous markets. The water travelled throughout the globe and gained great reputation due to its therapeutic properties and its credibility. Furthermore, it is often compared to Evian, the renowned mineral water because of its exquisite features.
There is a sign next to the spring with the following saying
Hi stranger, remember, whenever you return to your homeland, you owe your life to me.
