Agios Georgios is an island in the Aegean Sea between Milos, Kimolos and Polyegos in the Cyclades. Its character combines a designated nature reserve with a history of its own: the Church of Saint George gave the place its name, while the ancient name Oteria points to an earlier layer of its history. To understand Agios Georgios, it helps to look at three aspects: the protected area, the historic church building and maritime uses. This brings nature and culture together without confusing the island’s history with topics from the surrounding area.
Protected area and maritime uses
The island is designated as Nature Reserve Zone B. The zone is named “Agios Georgios Island of Kimolos and surrounding islets” and comprises five polygons. It includes four surrounding Kaseles islets. The nature reserve is located within the Natura 2000 site GR4220006 and the Special Protection Area GR4220030. Agios Georgios is also designated as a landscape of particular natural beauty.
Five polygons and four Kaseles islets are two different details about the extent of the area: the number of polygons describes how the zone is divided, while the islets are part of the named protected area. Natura 2000 site GR4220006 and Special Protection Area GR4220030 are the protected-area designations for the nature reserve. The designation as a landscape of particular natural beauty is separate; this landscape designation refers to Ministerial Decision 1176/2000. Considering these terms together helps you distinguish clearly between the zone, its protected-area designations and the landscape designation.
Designated activities in the nature reserve include low-impact maritime leisure activities such as swimming, windsurfing, diving and underwater photography. Within this shared theme, activities at the water’s surface differ from diving and underwater photography beneath the water. The protected-area framework identifies the area, while the examples name activities; these details answer different questions. If you plan to take part in any of them, check access arrangements in advance: the designation does not guarantee unrestricted access.
Church, monastery and earlier names
Agios Georgios takes its name from the Church of Saint George on the island. The church is the surviving church building of a small monastery founded before 1700. In antiquity, the island was known as Oteria. These are two distinct historical references: the present-day name points to the patron saint of the church, while Oteria is the ancient name. The church, the monastery’s founding and the earlier name offer different ways to explore the island’s history.
Nature in the surrounding area
There is also a seasonal nature-related feature in the surrounding area: sea caves beneath the Church of Saint George (Agios Georgios) are associated with the reproduction of Mediterranean monk seals in autumn. This connection extends the topic beyond the designated maritime uses. It pertains to the surrounding area, while the church that gave the island its name is located on the island itself.
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Go to the main travel overview: Chalkidiki.
