Chrissi island antiquities

An important settlement of the Minoan and Roman period has been found in the island Chrysea of ancient Greeks, the present island of Chrissi or Gaidouronisi. Buildings and at least three carved tombs have been identified near the church of Agios Nikolaos and the lighthouse on the island.

The settlement was probably used for the production of Tyrian purple from the shells of Murex brandaris, exactly like the neighboring isle of Koufonissi. The remnants of large orthogonal fields bounded by stone tracts, probably dating back from the Roman times, are distinguished.

There are also traces of a harbor pier and an ancient saltpan in the site of the present harbour of Spilios. Even the temple of Agios Nikolaos is built on the site of ancient buildings.