Stenies on Andros

Stenies is located about 4 kilometres north of Andros Chora and has about 250 inhabitants. The village is located in an incredibly beautiful and lush valley and is built amphitheatrically. It is actually two villages, Ano (upper) Stenies and Kato (lower) Stenies, but you don’t notice it when you are there. The village is called the “sea captains’ village” because many sailors, captains and ship owners come from Stenies. If you live in Batsi, Stenies is about 30 kilometres east of Batsi.

Stenies is located in an incredibly beautiful and lush valley and is built amphitheatrically.

When we were on Andros for the first time, we asked our landlord, who knew everything about Andros, which villages we couldn't miss. Stenies was one of his suggestions, and for several reasons: partly because the village is so beautiful, partly because there is a beautiful old stone bridge, partly because there is an old, and very interesting, abandoned factory, partly because there is an old fortress above the village, and partly because it is close to Andros Chora and Gialia beach. Of course we drove there, and we were not disappointed.

The stairs that go between Ano (upper) Stenies and Kato (lower) Stenies.

A giant bougainvillea in Stenies.

The old stone bridge is commonly called the Lion Bridge and is built over a stream and has a classic arch design. There are many old stone bridges on Andros, but the one in Stenies is the most famous, and one of the best preserved. The bridge is surrounded by greenery and is very beautiful. It is a popular photo spot, and we noticed this when we were here, because at the time there was a wedding couple who were photographed on the bridge.

The beautiful old Lion Bridge in Stenies.

The wedding couple photographed on Lion Bridge.

More hikes go via Stenies, like this route which has the number 8.

Although Stenies is located near the capital of Andros, Chora, and near the beach in Gialia, the village is completely untouched by tourism. What I might miss is a taverna, because I would very much like to have a long lunch in this peaceful and quiet village. The nearest taverna is in Gialia. But there is a café where you can sit and philosophize about what life was like in Stenies once upon a time.

Cafe in Stenies.

One of Andros' many dovecotes is located in Stenies.

Just like in the village of Aidonia in southern Andros, there is an old laundry in Stenies.

There are several old fortresses, called Kastro, on Andros. The oldest of them is the Bistis Mouvelas tower in Stenies. It was built in the late 17th century by Stamatelos Bistis, who was also nicknamed "Mouvlelas". The fortress was built over an older medieval tower from the 13th century. In the 19th century, two walls were added to the sides to support the building. Unfortunately, the Bistis-Mouvelas tower is in a poor state of repair and should be restored, but it will probably never happen.

Bistis Mouvelas tower in Stenies.

Bistis Mouvelas tower on the upper left and the abandoned factory at the bottom of the picture.

Gialia which is located on the coast below Stenies.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU ARE IN THE AREA

Don't miss Tis Grias to Pidima beach, which you can read about here »

Read more about Andros here »