Aegean Sails

Recurring toponyms on the islands

• Chora   χώρα
  The central, elevated and often most important settlement of the island, for examples see the photos of Kythira Chora, Milos Chora and Sikinos Chora further below.
• Skala   Σκάλα
  The port that is associated with the (highest) Chora. From the Italian word “scala” (stairs), as can be found on Santorini, Patmos, Astypalea and Sikinos. Skala is also used to indicate a quay on nautical charts.
• Loutra   Λουτρά
  This place name refers to a thermal spring – Loutraki – hence indicating “spa” or “baths”: Methana: marvellously mephitic, Kythnos, Skopelos.
• Vathi   Βαθύ
  From the Greek word meaning “deep” or “depth” indicating a “deep harbour”. See Meganisi, Methana, Samos, Kalimnos.
• Panormos   Πάνορμος
  Litterally “whole harbour”, suggesting a good place to moor. Examples on Mykonos, Astypalaia, Tinos, Skopelos and Naxos.
• Kastro   κάστρο
  The greek word for “castle”, compare the Latin “castrum”. Usually referring to Venetian castles or (a part of) a town that originated from such a fortress. Examples on Skiathos, Sifnos, Andros. Also, Chios, the main settlement on Chios island, is often called either Chora or Kastro to distinguish between the island and the town, likewise Antiparos.
• Profitis Ilias   Προφήτης Ηλίας
  The highest mountain on numerous islands, notably on Melos, Rhodes and Sifnos, is named “The prophet Elias”.
• Panagia   Παναγία
  Also Panayia or Panaghia, meaning All Holy. One of the titles of Mary, the mother of Jesus, used throughout Greece for Orthodox Churches, villages and bays, as on Pelagos.
• Acropolis

Greek chart terms

Ayios – Ayia	Saint: e.g. Agios Nikolaos, Agia Marina
Akrotirion	Headland – promontory
Ormos	Bay
Nero	Potable water
Ifalos	Overfalls – reef
Nisos	Island
Khersonisos	Peninsula
Oros	Mountain
Potamos	River
Stena	Strait
Paralia	Beach
Limani	Port
Kolpos	Gulf
Vrakhos	Rocks