Holidays in Assos
A charming and picturesque village with its beautiful harbour, colourful houses overlooked by an impressive Venetian fortress
The atmospheric village of Assos is a haven of peace and tranquillity, positioned on the small isthmus between the island and a huge hill crowned by a ruined Venetian fortress. With a small pebbly beach, a scenic harbour. It is a perfect area for a leisurely stroll and to enjoy fresh seafood by the seaside while soaking up the picturesque surroundings.
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The history of this area is rich, and the fortress dates back to 1590, once protecting sixty public buildings and 200 private houses from the threat of pirates. The old prison, inside the castle, has just been restored. When the British ruled the island in 19th century, the Greeks revolted, so the British to regain control, imprisoned the main offenders in the fortress. Unfortunately, these same men were the local farmers and the soldiers began to run out of food. The prisoners came up with a clever scheme. They suggested that they should be allowed out during the day to work in their fields and return in the evening back to their cells. It was used for this purpose until 1953 when the earthquake struck the island.
One of the first ruins to see when entering through the top gate is the Catholic Church of St Marcos built originally around 1604. There are other ruins still around; including that of the Governor’s house, part of the inside is still used by local farmers but the public are excluded. From the upper gate follow the track as it winds down through the interior of the castle to reach the lower gate. From here you will find a footpath which descends gently around the hillside and there is a point where it joins with the main track providing an easy shortcut to return down to the village.
Fortunately, in spite of its unique natural beauty, Assos has remained relatively undiscovered and untouched by the main influx of tourism to the island. A handful tavernas can be found in the village with a small selection of shops and a mini- market for everyday needs. There is a short stretch of shingle beach with good swimming in the harbour and caves to explore at the other side of the bay.