Ikaria is an island in Greece whose inhabitants are not afraid of anything. In fact, it is no coincidence that life expectancy in Ikaria is the highest in Greece.
The name of this island was taken from the name of Daedalus' son, Icarus, who washed up on the shores of the island. Ikaria (or Ikaria or Nikaria, in ancient times Dolychi) is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea with incomparable beauty and enviable pace of life.
Its topography is rich in contrasts, as it has green slopes and bare cliffs. It has a tradition of producing a strong red wine, known by Homer as "Pramneios Wine".
To the west is the forest of Randi, one of the rarest characteristic Mediterranean prehistoric forests. Apart from the common animals, the characteristic ones are the semi-wild free-roaming goats that can be found everywhere.
It is an island quite far from the Greek mainland, and its isolation in the Middle Ages contributed to the preservation of many peculiarities, such as the ancient language and other customs. The inhabitants are mainly involved in shipping or local trades, their ties are close and they are famous for their longevity, relaxed living and zero stress.
The inhabitants use the expression "the Ikarians rahati" which refers to the slow rhythms with which life flows. This characteristic is found in many areas of Ikaria, from the cafes of Agios Kirikos to the hill villages of Rachi, where shops open just after sunset. The habit of night shifts in shops is due to the fact that people used to work in agriculture throughout the day in the past.
The average age of the inhabitants reaches 88.1 years and is the highest life expectancy for the Greeks, more than 79.8 in the country. It was added to the world map of "blue zones", which include areas with the highest life expectancy in the world (Ikaria ranks 5th in the world).
Particularly well known in Greece is the Ikarian dance, which is performed at local festivals. The festival of Agia Marina, in the village of Arethousa on the day of the liberation of the island on July 17, is widely known. In recent years, the festivals have been "reborn" with the participation of the youth and visitors to the island in the summer, as it is one of the elements of the peculiarity of the Icariotes.
Among the 17 most important thermal springs in our country, Ikaria is famous for its own, which is located in the territory of the municipality of Agios Kirikos. If you ever visit Ikaria, do not forget to visit Na. It is an ancient city where, according to mythology, the Naiads lived. In ancient times, there was one of the most famous sanctuaries dedicated to Artemis of Taurus. From the ancient port, the waterfront and the floor of the sanctuary are still preserved.
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