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Modern Description: The attractive harbour town of Aigiáli (20km), often abbreviated to ‘Yiáli', occupies a privileged position in an ample and protected bay, ringed with majestic mountains. A fertile alluvial ‘kambos' extends inland of the shore. The limestone mountains, particularly to the south, spring fresh water: they were once mantled in oak forests. The geographical configuration has some similarities to the bay of Katapola, but is grander and more beautiful. The coast and harbour show signs mainly of a Roman presence: marble fragments scattered in the village; the pedestal of a votive statue in the small plateia to the east; and the remains of walls in Roman constructional materials a short distance before the north end of the long, sandy beach of the town.
Ancient Aegiale lay high above this area to the north, near the village of Tholaria (22.5km). (Take first street uphill from just below the outer plateia of Tholaria, then immediately left; path leads off right towards hill top. 15 mins.) Once again the position of the site is striking. To the northwest, the land falls away into the fjord of Mikrí Vlicháda and to the sea 200m below. To the northeast, the protective height of Mount Koutelós rises 433m from the shore. Magnificent views extend in all directions. The site has not been excavated, but evidence of the city lies on the surface, in particular at the rocky summit of the ridge where the bedrock has been cut and shaped at several points. Much of the fallen masonry of houses has been reused in the terracing of the slopes by farmers, but at several points on the north and east both the line and material of the fortification-walls are clear. The northern tip of Amorgos constitutes an important landfall in open waters and a commercial node between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese and Asia Minor. Aegiale, as a Milesian foundation of the 8th or 7th century BC, was well placed to profit from this. A site more different from the fertile river estuary of the mother-town of Miletus, though, cannot be imagined.
The ancient city's presence extended over the wider area. Traces of further defensive walls have been found at Tholária, where the church of the Aghii Anargyri rises on what is thought to be the site of an ancient temple, and the entrance-gate to the church itself comprises an assemblage of antique fragments. By the church of the Taxiarch at Astratios (35 mins walk due east of Tholaria) are the remains of a rectangular tower and farmstead of the Hellenistic period. Further southeast again (more easily reached by the good path from Langáda—see below), at the church of the Panaghia Epanochorianí, was the site of another sanctuary, possibly dedicated to Athena; little remains to be seen but for the central marble anthemion of an ancient temple which is immured into the façade of the modern church. Slightly to the south stands the earlier, domed 15th century church of Aghios Ioannis Pródromos.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegiale_(Amorgos)
Wikidata ID: Q28721809
Trismegistos Geo: 34064

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

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