Schoinousa

Schoinousa or Schinoussa (Greek: Σχοινούσα, pronounced [sçiˈnusa]) is an island and a former community in the Cyclades, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Naxos and Lesser Cyclades, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies south of the island of Naxos, in the Lesser Cyclades group, between the island communities of Irakleia and Koufonisia. The population was 256 inhabitants at the 2011 census. Its land area is 8.512 square kilometres (3 sq mi).

Description

Schoinousa is located in the south of Naxos, in the middle about of the Lesser Cyclades island group. It is the fourth largest island of the Lesser Cyclades and the second most populated, after Ano Koufonisi. The island has three settlements, Chora the capital of the island, Mesaria and Mersini where is the port of the island. The derivation of the name Schinoussa isn't precisely known. It is believed that the name derives from the corruption of the ancient name Echinousa. According to a second view the name derives from a Venetian nobleman named Schinoza. Schoinousa is populated from the antiquity and keeps population and subsequent years. On the island there are sites with archaeological interest from all times, ancient Greek and Roman ruins, ruins of Byzantine church and a small medieval castle. From 11th century the island was property of the Hozoviotissa Monastery in the nearby island Amorgos.