In antiquity, Irakleiá was named Arákleia and in medieval times Irakleítsa. The history of the island begins from the 4th millennium BC, with its first inhabitants being the Cycladítes. Irakleiá remained on their possession up until 1000 BC. During the first Byzantine years, in the 4th century AD, a castle was built behind Livádi beach,…
The name, Schinoúsa, comes from the word schíno, which is a plant that used to grow extensively on the island. Schinoúsa was initially inhabited during the 4th millennium BC by Cycladítes, and was part of the group called “little Cyclades” together with Koufonísia, Kéro and Irakleiá, Kéros being the capital. In the years of AD,…
Historians are in disagreement where from the name of the two islands came from. Some believe it is a complex word (koufó + nisí, i.e. hollow + island), named by the many travelers of the past who named it by the many caves around the islands. Others claim the name derived from the locals in…