Andros Old Cemetery

Following the establishment of the newly independent Greek state, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor, issued a decree prohibiting burials in churchyards, which was customary until then, and instructed that they should take place in locations sanctioned by state authorities. In the area of Andros Town (Chora Androu) the first cemetery was established near the church of Agioi Anargyroi in the Neimborio area, some distance from the then small town. In practice burials proved problematic because of the sandy soil and also the river, which filled with water in winter and had no bridge. At the beginning of the 20th century a location was found for a new cemetery, which opened in 1903 at its present location, and the old cemetery was closed. At the abandoned and overgrown old cemetery several tombs of established Andros families survive.