The ancient city of Minoa (one of the three ancient cities of Amorgos, together with Aegiali and Arkesini, as well as one of the attraction of Amorgos) is approximately from Katapola three kilometers away. To get to it, you have to ascend the road on the north-eastern side of Moundoulia hill, via Sakkas valley.
Ancient Minoa Amorgos
It is said that the ancient city of Minoa in Amorgos island was built amphitheatrically on the south-eastern side of the hill. When you visit, you will be able to view the ancient walls, the courtyard and the parapets from the Geometric period. Morever, you will see a long structure of the Gymnasium which dates from around the 4th century BC. The ancient city was a place of worship of the god Serapis. Also worth admiring are the preserved drainage systems and stone aqueducts.
The Roman reservoir where a statuette from the Early Cycladic period was found, is one the most recent findings in this archaeological site. The site also includes remains from the Neolithic period, indicating that the area has been inhabited since that time! At the top of the Acropolis, you can view the base of the temple where Dionysus Minoitis was worshipped since Geometric times! The findings and relics at this site, indications of life and cultural activity, date from the 10th century BC to the 4th century AD.
Lefkes Amorgos
Leaving the archaeological site of Minoa behind you, follow a dirt road (or hike for half an hour) south, towards Lefkes (just 4 kilometers from the port). Before you reach the settlement, which appears forgotten by humans and time, you will pass through densely vegetated patches, crops served by running water, and the beaches of Finikies and Tyrokomos.
The rural settlement was the home of Amorgos high school principal Ioannidis. There is a chapel of Ai-Giannis, with an ancient column-head embedded in its walls. Epigraphs, ceramics, ancient Ionic kouroi and materials from the Classical and even Hellenistic times have been found around the settlement.
Soon after, you will come to Agia Thekla and its two houses! The area played an important role in the early Hellenistic period, as testified by the existence of aqueducts, steps, walls and even a quarry!
