Serifo: History of Serifo

Due to its geographical position this island, had as a natural outcome, to become a place of people stopping over but never living permanently, because of the poverty that existed here. During the Frank and the Turkish occupations the living conditions of the locals were miserable. In the middle of the 16th century the island was desolate.

Farming and livestock farming was scarce. Their main occupation was the growing of vineyards, barley, figs and dairy products, but the weak soil in combination with the strong winds and the scarce water caused the locals from an early stage, to become involved with activities of the sea. Therefore shipping, commerce, fishing, and shipbuilding were developed. Parallel to the sea activities the locals were involved with the weaving of textile (especially the women).

The grinding of flour and baking experienced great growth. In the middle of 1950 Serifo started moving out of its misery by taking advantage of its natural recourses: the sun, the sea and the wind. Therefore the people of Serifo became frontiers of the tourist industry. They managed to make their island an important tourist center, resulting with a growth in their economy.

Serifo HISTORY

The main occupation of the inhabitants today is tourism, but there are still some locals that are still involved with farming and livestock. The history of Serifo is pretty brief because it is not involved with any heroic achievements. The barren ground of the island kept away, many invaders who arrived once and again. Thus they did not disturb the peace of the locals whose lives were already difficult as it was.

Myth has it that Serifo got its name from Serifo, the son of Aniou who was a semi god, the offspring of Apollo and his bride Roious. Another myth mentions that after Hercules killed the giants he threw them on the island where they were petrified and turned into rocks (thus the so many huge rocks on the island). But all these sources are insufficient.

The first inhabitants of the island were Kares. After them the Phoenicians, the Cretans, and the Egyptians inhabited the island. In the end the Ionians inhabited it. After the Persian wars, the first Athenian alliance was formed with its headquarters being Delos, were the allies treasury was situated.

Delos influenced Serifo very much, even in matters of religion. They worshipped the God Apollo, but also the other gods of those times, as it is concluded from some coins that were found in the area.