The Cyclades Islands

Typical Cyclades village architecture

The Cyclades are a Greek island group in the Aegean Sea, south-east of the mainland of Greece.

They are one of the island groups which constitute the Aegean archipelago.

The name refers to the islands around (Greek KYKLOS=circle) the sacred island of Delos.

"The Cyclades (kih-klah-dez), are Greek islands to dream about; sun-kissed outliers of rock and dappled earth lying scattered across the glittering Aegean Sea.
Their characteristic white cubist houses, golden beaches, olive groves, pine forests, herb-strewn mountain slopes and terraced valleys make for an irresistible mix.
Throw in a dash of hedonism, and a culture that draws vividly on ancient and modern themes, and the Greek Island dream can become reality." (Lonely Planet)

Cycladic Art

Cycladic culture flourished on the islands of the central Aegean during the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC) There are remarkable stylistic similarities between Cycladic art and some 20th century modern sculpture If you pass through Athens the Cycladic Art Museum is well worth a visit.