The Dodecanese 01

The Dodecanese 01
PATMOS
“The Jerusalem of the Aegean” is
one way of describing Patmos or
Patnos, as it was referred to in one
5th century inscription. It was here
that St. John the Theologian was
exiled between 95 and 97 A.D. and
was inspired to write the Book of
Revelation or Apocalypse.
Later
the
emperor
Alexios
Komninos ordered the monk
Christodoulos Letrinos to found a
monastery in honour of the
Apostle. Thus the holy monastery
of Patmos was built, the most
important landmark on the island.
In September 1995 it was
celebrated the anniversary of the
1900 years from the date that the
Book of Revelation was written.
Patmos, situated between Leros
and Ikaria, is a mountainous island
with rocky soil and an abundance
of small coves.
The majestic fortress - monastery
crowns the hill above the port,
surrounded by dazzling white,
cubelike houses which spill down
its flanks.
Interspersed among them are
minuscule churches and grand sea
captains . mansions, separated from
each other by narrow lanes, high
walls and small squares opening
onto breathcatching views over the
Aegean.
The construction of the monastery
began in the 11th century. It is
circumscribed by massive grey
stone walls with battlements that
protected the main church and
another
five
chapels.
Its
extraordinary
treasury
contains
Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons,
sacred
vessels,
9th
century
embroideries and other pricelless
objects, while its library houses
parchment documents, patriarchal
seals, enlightened manuscripts and
rare old books. In the chapel
dedicated to Our Lady frescoes can
be seen which date back to 12101220.
Ships arriving at Patmos dock in the
island.s harbour, Skala, a lively
place with its white houses, flowered
courtyards, fish tavernas, hotels,
restaurants, cafes and shops.
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The Dodecanese 03
North of Skala is the village of
Kambos, set among trees and
greenery, and near it is what many
consider to be the island’s finest
beach.
Patmos.s
indented
coastline
conceals a host of lovely beaches.
Among the favourites are Grigos,
Kallikatsou, Psili Ammos and
Diakofti.
HOW TO GET THERE
By ferry from Piraeus
Information: Port Authority Piraeus
Tel: 1440
USEFUL
TELEPHONE
NUMBERS
Port Authority
22470 31231
Fax: 22470 34131
Police
22470 31303
Municipality 22470 31235
Taxi
22470 31225
First Aid
22470 31211
The hamlet on the protected natural
harbour is composed of spotless
whitewashed houses, while its
minipiazza boasts tavernas, ouzeri,
cafès and other eateries.
HOW TO GET THERE
By ferry from Piraeus, Patmos,
Rhodes
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22470 41133
Police
22470 41222
Municipality 22470 41209
First Aid
22470 41204
AGATHONISSI
From Patmos it’s an easy jaunt to
Agathonissi. This islet with its
wonderful beaches is an ideal spot
for anyone wishing to escape the
pressures of everyday life for a while.
HOW TO GET THERE
By ferry from Patmos
LIPSI
Not far from Patmos is a group of
tiny islands, known collectively as
Lipsi. They cluster around the
largest, the only one which is
inhabited, Lipso or Lipsi.
Here you will find beautiful sandy
beaches and translucent waters.
The island is so small that you can
go everywhere you want to on foot.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Community 22470 29009
Fax:
22470 29010
First Aid
22470 29049
Police
22470 29029
1. Patmos. The monastery of St. John.
2. Patmos.Chora crowned by the imposing
mass of the monastery.
3. Patmos.
4. Lipsi.
LEROS
Situated between Patmos and Kalimnos,
Leros is an island of small fertile valleys
sandwiched between rolling green hills,
deep coves and pretty beaches.
Leros. topography has given rise to
many villages. The most important is the
capital, Agia Marina - united with two
other villages, Platanos and Pandeli, on
the back side of the hill - a collection of
little white houses, neoclassical buildings
and narrow alleyways. It starts at the
seaside and gradually climbs up the
sides of the hill, whose summit is
dominated by the sombre remains of a
Byzantine castle. Of special significance
during Byzantine times, its shape is that
given it by the Knights of St. John, who
arrived on Leros in the 14th century. Still
standing today are the circuit wall and
the church of Our Lady within it.
Laki, 3 kilometres south of Agia Marina,
is the island.s port. It is built at the back
of a deep, practically enclosed bay,
whose mouth is only 500 metres wide.
This is one of the largest and best
natural harbours in the Mediterranean.
Alinda, Xirokambos, and Partheni are
charming seaside villages, while you.ll
find wonderful swimming at the beaches
of Agia Marina, Pandeli, Vromolitho,
Alinda, Laki, Merikia, and Xirokambos,
to name a few.
Its natural attractions - caves, lovely
beaches, unspoilt scenery - make it
a mini earthly paradise.
Kalimnos is widely known as the
spongefishers. island, since such a
large portion of the population is
engaged in this age-old occupation.
Once the island.s capital was
located at Horio, which benefited
from the protection offered by the
castle of the Knights of St. John just
above it.
or
Today’s capital is Pothia
Kalimnos, founded around 1850 by
the inhabitants of Horio.
Its
brightly
coloured
houses
surround the port like the seats in an
amphitheatre, arranged along the
hillsides down to the caiques and
fishing boats bobbing below. An old
church dedicated to Christ the
Saviour adorns the waterfront. It is
decorated
with
frescoes
and
valuable icons, while its iconostasis
is the work of the well-known
sculptor Yiannoulis Halepas.
Kalimnos has other charming
villages, such as Vathi, set in a
fertile valley full of citrus trees, and
Metohi, on the southeast side of the
island. The quiet hamlet of
Emborios lies to the north.
To the west are Massouri, Mirties,
Kamari and Panormos where one
can try sea-food delicacies such as
.fouskes. and .chtapokeftedes.. On
the road to Panormos, you will
notice the remains of a three naved basilica dedicated to Christ
of Jerusalem, which was erected
around the 6th century on the site of
an ancient temple where Delian
Apollo was worshipped.
To the north of the main town is
Pera Kastro, also called the Castle
of the Golden Hands (Hrissoheria),
because the chapel in its interior
has an icon of the Virgin whose
hands are covered with gold leaf.
Northeast of Pothia, at the foot of
Flaska hill, is the cave of the
Seven Nymphs (not open to the
public).
Kalimnos boasts two other caves,
the richly decorated Skalies, about
100 metres from the village of Skalia
in the north of the island (not open
to the public), and Kefalas
or
Trypas Kefalas to the south (which
can be visited and can be
approached by boat).
At Therma, only one kilometre or so
from Pothia, there are radioactive
springs and therapeutic bathing
facilities, rooms where visitors may
spend the night, and specially
trained personnel to assist them.
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HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
For information about flights call:
Airport (El. Venizelos): 210 3530.000
By ferry from Piraeus
For information on ship routes call
Piraeus Port Authority, tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Airport
22470 22.777
Port Authority
22470 22.224
Police
22470 22.222
Municipality
22470 23.711
Taxi
22470 22.550
22470 23.070
Historical
Folklore Museum22470 24.225
22470 25.040
First Aid
22470 23.251
KALIMNOS
The terrain of this fourth largest of the
Dodecanese is mountainous, except for
two fertile valleys. It is along these
valleys that its have sprouted - Kalimnos
or Pothia and Vathi.
Castles,
remnants
of
fortresses,
archaeological finds and old churches
bear witness to the continuous
importance of Kalimnos in the history of
the Aegean.
Among the lovely beaches on are
Massouri, Mirties and Arginondas
along the west coast and Vlyhadia in
the south.
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HOW TO GET THERE
By ferry from Piraeus
For information on ship routes call
Piraeus Port Authority, tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22430 24.444 - 29.304
Police
22430 22.100 Fax:29.301
Municipality 22430 59.141 -59.143
Taxi
22430 50.300 - 50.303
First Aid 22430 23.025 - 28.851
OTE
22430 29.599 - 29.699
TELENDOS
The islet of Telendos lies directly
opposite the village of Mirties.
Separated by a channel only 700
metres wide, it was united with its
larger neighbour until 535 A.D.
Though completely barren, it does
have wonderful beaches with clear
water on its west coast; its few
inhabitants all live in the tiny fishing
village across from Mirties. A caique
ferries people back and forth between
the two.
HOW TO GET THERE
By caique from Kalimnos
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
OTE
22430 47.584
PSERIMOS
This tiny island lies to the southeast
of Kalimnos. Its sparse population
consists of sponge fishermen and
their families. Its pretty beaches
make it a wonderful place to relax.
HOW TO GET THERE
By caique from Kalimnos
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
OTE
22430 23.195
5. Leros. Agia Marina.
6. Kalimnos. Pothia.
7. Telendos.
The rest of the town is modern and
well laid out, with contemporary
buildings, hotels and avenues lined
with palm trees. In a lush area 4
kilometres west of town, you.ll find
(Asklipiio)
or
the Asklepieion
Sanctuary of Asklepios. Its buildings,
owing to the slope of the site, stand
on four different terraces united by a
marble staircase. The view from the
highest one is stunning.
The most important structure is the
temple of Asklepios, a Doric
peripteral temple erected in the 2nd
century B.C. Other buildings include
the Stoa (Colonnade), which housed
Hippocrates. medical school and the
Vomos or Great Altar (3rd century
B.C.), which was decorated with
sculptures attributed to the son of
Praxiteles.
During your visit to Kos, it would be
well worth your while to visit the
pretty villages which are scattered
over the island. Among them are
Asfendiou, 14 kilometres southwest
of the town, built on the slopes of Mt.
Dikaio overlooking the sea; Pili,
farther south, with its ruined
Byzantine castle and the Ypapanti
church within it; Andimahia, perched
on a plateau in the middle of the
island; Thermes, with its hot springs
and spa and Kardamena, a seaside
resort, both on the east coast;
Tingaki (near the airport), Marmari,
and Mastihari,
Kos.s second
harbour, on the north coast; and
finally Kefalos on the southwest
coast with its splendid beach. The
ruins of the ancient town of
Astypalaia can be seen in the nearby
district known as Palatia.
You.ll find wonderful beaches all over
the island. You can reach the closer
ones by bicycle, a popular means of
getting around on Kos.
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8. Kos.
9. Kos. Mosaic floor of a Roman
villa from the Museum of Kos.
10. Astypalea. Hora and the
remains of the Venetian castle.
11. Kos. Kefalos.
KOS
Kos is the island that gave the world
Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
The third largest of the Dodecanese, it
is long and narrow in shape, mostly
flat with two low mountains, Dikaio
(875 m.) and Simpatro, that run along
its southern coast.
It lies south of Kalimnos and was first
inhabited in the Neolithic era. In 700
B.C., it joined together with Lindos,
Kameiros, lalyssos, Knidos and
Halikarnassos to found the Dorian
Hexapolis.
In the 4th century B.C., its Asklepieion
became famous as the leading
.hospital. of antiquity.
The capital, Kos, is situated in a
verdant district on the north-east of the
island, at the back of an open bay.
Around the port you can still see the
ruins of the ancient city and the castle,
built between 1450 and 1478 after the
Knights of St.John took over the
island.
Excavations in the ancient city brought
to light building foundations of the
Classical era (e.g. the Agora) and of
Hellenistic and Roman times (the
Gymnasium, Odeon, Roman baths, a
Roman
mansion
with
beautiful
mosaics), sections of wall from the
Classical period, the foundations of a
temple of Aphrodite and another
temple,
probably
dedicated
to
Heracles.
HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
By ferry from Piraeus
For information about flights contact
Airport (El. Venizelos),
tel: 210 3530000
For information on ship routes call
Piraeus Port Authority, tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Airport
22420 51.567 - 51.229
Port Authority 22420 26.594 - 6
Police
22420 24.444
Municipality 22420 28.223 - 28.420,
22420 28.724
Taxi
22420 22.777 - 23.333
First Aid
22420 22.300 - 23.423,
22420 28.050
(Kos is linked to Rhodes by plane)
ASTYPALAIA
This
most
western
of
the
Dodecanese has had many names:
Ichthyoessa (abundant in fish) in
ancient
times;
Stampalia
or
Astropalia, as the locals call it today.
The name Astypalaia means “old
city”.
A mountainous island with an
indented
coastline
concealing
numerous
delightful
coves,
Astypalaia (or Astipalea) in fact
resembles two islands joined by a
ribbon of land only 105 metres wide.
or
The main village is Hora
Astypalaia, built up the side of a
steep hill, and presided over by the
massive, austere remains of a
Venetian castle. Its small, square
houses, painted white with brightly
coloured doors and windows, follow
the contours of the hill in an almost
unbroken band down to the sea. So
closely are they packed that the walls
of the uppermost houses form part of
the outer fortifications of the castle.
A row of windmills on the pass of the
hill provides an additional picturesque
note.
One enters the castle from the southwest side of the hill. Inside it are two
churches, dedicated to St. George
and
to
the
Annunciation
(Evangelismos). The former contains
a noteworthy carved iconostasis.
Below the castle stands the 18th
century church of Our Lady
Portaitissa, one of the most beautiful
in the Dodecanese. It has an
impressive iconostasis, covered with
gold leaf too.
Livadia, Analipsi and Vathi are
charming fishing hamlets on the
south and north coast of the
island,while
among
its
many
beaches,Tria Marmara, Schinondas
and Vathi stand out.
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HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
By ferry from Piraeus
For information about flights contact
Airport (El. Venizelos),
tel: 210 3530.000
For information on ship routes call
Piraeus Port Authority, tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22430 61.208
Police
22430 61.207
Municipality 22430 61.206
First Aid
22430 61.222
Arch. Museum
22430 61.500
NISYROS
Nisyros (or Nissiros) is a small
volcanic island, a mere 41 square
kilometres in area, situated between
Kos and Tilos. In antiquity it was
known as Porphyris. Mythology
holds that once it was united with
Kos and that when Poseidon was
chasing the giant Polyvotis, he split
the two islands asunder.
The capital and port of Nisyros is
Mandraki, set in the northwest at
the foot of a steep hill. The
whiteness of its houses forms a
striking contrast to the dark, volcanic
earth. Yet another castle erected by
the Knights of St. John looms above
the small town, while a chapel
nearby dedicated to the Panayia tis
Spilianis (Our Lady of the Cave),
the patroness of the island, clings to
the tip of the rock. Built in 1600, it is
linked with many traditions and has
a lovely 18th century iconostasis.
The island.s hot springs, fabled
since antiquity and still in use today,
are to be found at Loutra, just 1.5
kilometres from Mandraki. East of
Loutra is the picturesque fishing
village of Pali.
Another village, Emborios, lies to
the southeast of Mandraki in the
interior of the island, in a lush area
with mineral springs and planted
with olive trees, fruit trees, fig trees
and grapevines.
You have to go almost to the middle
of Nisyros to the Lakki plateau to
see the crater of the extinct volcano,
Polybates. It is 260 metres in
diameter and 30 metres deep with
steps leading down to its centre.
The reek of sulphur fills the
surrounding air, while the scenery
could belong to the moon.
In the south of the island, the
charming village of Nikia perches on
the crest of a hill 400 metres above
sea level. Its white houses with their
brightly coloured doors and windows
and tile roofs are an attractive
complement to the greenery that
abounds in the district.
Nisyros is blessed with many lovely
beaches: at Mandraki, Hochlaki,
Agia Irini, Avlaki and on Yiali, the
islet directly opposite.
TILOS
Although small, this island situated
to the south of Nisyros captures the
imagination of anyone interested in
paleontology, for here there once
lived a prehistoric dwarf elephant,
skeletons of which were found in
one of its caves.
The capital of Tilos is Megalo Horio
(literally Big Village), located in the
interior to the north of the island. It is
built like an amphitheatre on a
hillside topped by a ruined castle
erected by the Knights. The village
occupies the site of the ancient
town, whose remains can still be
seen scattered among the houses.
Some 2.5 kilometres west of Megalo
Horio, you can visit the monastery of
Agios Antonios, while 6.5 kilometres
to the northwest is another
monastery - with guesthouse dedicated to Agios Panteleimon.
Lush greenery surrounds this
walled, 18th century edifice.
Tilos.s main port is Livadia,
southeast of Megalo Horio.
The island.s best beaches are at
Livadia, Agios Antonios, Plaka
and Erysto (2.5 km. from Megalo
Horio).
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USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Harbourmaster 22420 31.222
Police
22420 31.201
Municipality
22420 31.203
First Aid
22420 31.217
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22460 44.350
Police
22460 44.222
Municipality
22460 44.212
First Aid
22460 44.219
22460 44.210
SYMI
A lovely, mountainous island, Symi
(or Simi) was reputed to be the
birthplace of the Three Graces.
While its interior is punctuated with
small valleys, its coastline alternates
between steep and rocky or sandy
and indented with little coves.
In antiquity it bore the names Aigli
and Metapontis. It took its present
name from the nymph Syme, who
was Poseidon.s wife.
After its conquest by the Knights of
St. John in 1373, commerce and
shipping flourished until steam
replaced sail. The stately mansions
in the main town date from this
period, which reached its peak in
the 19th century.
12. Nisyros. Mandraki and the
remains of the castle of the Knights
of St. John.
13. Tilos.
14. Halki. Nimborio.
15. Symi.
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HALKI
The capital in the north of the island
bears the same name and is divided
into the upper and lower town, Ano
Symi and Kato Poli. The lower town
is also called Yialos. The two districts
are linked by a lane so steep it has
steps. It is flanked by charming
neoclassical houses, some of them
painted in warm pastel colours, with
balconies and peaked, red tile roofs.
Many of them also are embellished
with neoclassical features on the doors
and windows. Their interiors are
decorated with wood carvings, the
locals having been adept at the craft
for generations.
The highest point in Ano Symi is
capped by the usual castle of the
Knights of St. John, whose emblem
can be seen above the main portal.
The traditional village of Emborios is
Symi.s second port. The ancient town
of Metapontis was situated close by.
One of the island.s most famous
landmarks is the monastery of the
Archangel Michael Panormitis on the
southwest coast. Built in the early 18th
century, it overlooks the bay bearing
its name in a setting combining
mountain and sea. It contains
marvellous Byzantine frescoes and an
intricately carved iconostasis.
There is no lack of wonderful beaches
on Symi. You.ll find good swimming at
Yialos,
Pedio,
Emborios,
Marathounda, Nanou as well as on
the nearby islets of Agia Marina and
Nimos.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22460 71.205
Police
22460 71.111-72.100
Municipality
22460 70.110-70.130,
22460 70.125
First Aid
22460 71.290
Situated to the south of Tilos and
west of Rhodes, Halki has been
inhabited since antiquity, when it
must have been very prosperous,
judging from the coins found by
archaeologists.
Its name most probably reflects the
copper ore (halkos) once mined
there.
It is a small but mountainous island,
just 28 square kilometres in area.
The island capital cum port is called
variously Halki or Nimborio.
Situated on the southeast coast, its
two-storey houses with their tile
roofs seem to climb up the sides of
the hill overlooking the bay of the
same name. Worth a visit is its
church of Agios Nikolaos, built in
1861, whose magnificent bell tower
soars above the surrounding
houses.
In earlier times, the capital was at
Horio, which was placed well inland
in an effort to escape the frequent
pirate raids that were once the
scourge of the Aegean. At its peak,
it boasted 4,000 inhabitants;
nowadays it is virtually deserted. Its
stone houses, built in tiers like an
amphitheatre, are mute reminders
of its past prosperity. Above Horio
the
ruined
mediaeval
castle
occupies the site of the ancient
acropolis. Within its walls is another
church dedicated to St. Nicholas
(Agios Nikolaos) with frescoes.
Pondamo is the only beach in
Halki accessible on foot from
Nimborio (10 min.), but caiques are
on hand to take you to its other
Trachia,
wonderful
beaches:
Ftenagia, Sarri, Chania and Dyo
Yiali.
HOW TO GET
TO THESE FOUR ISLANDS
By ferry from Piraeus
For more information contact
Piraeus Port Authority, tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22460 45.220
Police
22460 45.213
Municipality
22460 45.207
First Aid
22460 45.206
RHODES
The largest of the Dodecanese,
Rhodes (or Rodos) has become an
important regional centre, thanks to
its location, climate and natural
attractions.
It is known as the isle of the Sun.
Pindar mentions in one of his Odes
that it was born of the union of Helios
the sun god and the nymph Rhoda. In
antiquity it also bore the names
Aithraia, Ophiousa and Telchinis.
It was first inhabited in the Neolithic
era. A major milestone in the island.s
history, which affected the fate of the
other Dodecanese as well, was the
founding in 700 B.C. of the Dorian
Hexapolis, a union of its three cities
with Knidos, Halikarnassos and Kos.
Its economy and culture continued to
flourish until the 3rd century B.C.,
when it was the predominant power
in the Aegean. When, a thousand
years later in 1309, it fell into the
hands of the Knights of St. John, it
became again the centre of power,
symbolised
by
its
magnificent
mediaeval town and the imposing
castle and palace of the Grand
Masters.
The island.s terrain is in large part
fertile with a great variety of
vegetation; its highest mountain is
Atavyros (1,215 m. asl) in the
southwest.
The capital, also called Rhodes,
occupies the northernmost tip of the
all over the island. There are actually
three cities on this site - modern,
ancient and mediaeval. The modern
town has a cosmopolitan character,
many late 20th century buildings and
hotels. The ancient town, which was
founded in 408 B.C. according to
plans by Hippodamos of Milesios (the
first town planner), started from
Monte Smith hill where the acropolis
stood and extended as far as what is
now the mediaeval city. All that is left
of it today is the ruins of the temples
of Zeus, Athena Poliados and Apollo,
the Stadium, Gymnasium and the
Theatre, which has been restored.
The mediaeval city is still surrounded
by the high walls erected by the
Knights. It is divided by an inner wall
into two unequal parts, the smaller
Collachio and the larger Burgo or
Hora.
Collachio is further split by the Street
of the Knights, both of whose sides
are lined with the sombre stone
façades of the Inns of the Tongues or
nationalities that belonged to the
order of the Knights Hospitalers of St.
John. At the end of the street stands
the palace of the Grand Masters,
which today houses a collection of
16th and 17th century furniture and The Hospital of the Knights, another of
Roman mosaic floors from Kos.
the town.s most magnificent buildings,
has
been
converted
into
the
Archaeological Museum. Burgo/Hora
lies to the south of Collachio; its walls
once enclosed the humbler residences,
the marketplace, the Synagogue and
Jewish quarter, Orthodox and Catholic
churches, public buildings and army
barracks.
The island abounds in lovely and
interesting places to visit, such as the
Valley of the Butterflies; the village of
Trianda near the site of ancient
lalyssos (lalissos) on the top of
Filerimos hill, where the 15th century
monastery of the same name also
stands, along with the ruined temples of
Athena and Zeus Poliea in the ancient
acropolis; Kameiros (Kamiros) and the
ruins of the Dorian city; Kalithea with its
thermal baths; Koskinou, Afandou,
Faliraki and Rodini.
But above all don.t miss Lindos. The
contrast between the brilliant white
houses and winding lanes of the more
recent village built around two crescent
beaches and the ancient acropolis
towering above it from its austere
pinnacle makes for one of the most
stunning views in Greece. The temple
of Athena Lindia (4th century B.C.)
coming gradually into view as you
ascend the stairs is a sight never to be
forgotten.
The Dodecanese 10
Finally there are splendid beaches
island all over the island, some of
which are equipped with facilities for
bathers and equipment for water
sports.
HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
By ferry from Piraeus
For information about flights call
Airport (El. Venizelos): 2103530.000
For information on ship routes contact
Piraeus Port Authority , tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Airport
22410 88911
Port Authority 22410 27695-28666,
22410 23693
Tourist Police
22410 27423
Municipality
22410 46200
Tourist Directorate
of the South Aegean 22410 44335
22410 44336
Taxi
22410 64712
First Aid
22410 80000
Other information
Rhodes is linked by plane to Iraklion,
Thessaloniki, Santorini, Chios, Samos,
Mytilini, Limnos, Kassos, Karpathos,
Kastellorizo, Leros, Kos, Astypalaia.
Ferries
link
Rhodes
to
the
Dodecanese, the Cyclades, Crete,
Eastern
Aegean
islands
and
Alexandroupoli.
MEGISTI
Megisti (or Kastellorizo) is the
Aegean.s easternmost island. It has
been inhabited since prehistoric times.
The Dorians who settled it later
constructed fortified acropolises near
the
present-day town and at
Palaiokastro, where some ruins can
still be seen. The name Kastellorizo
comes from its castle, Castello Rosso
(or red castle), erected by the Knights
of St. John.
The island.s only settlement is
Megisti,
otherwise
known
as
Kastellorizo, on the northeast coast.
Its houses line the horseshoe-shaped
port and climb up the foothills of the
mountain behind it. The top of the
mountain
is
crowned
by
the
aforementioned
castle,
where
Lambros Katsonis fought the Turks in
1788.
The
gracious
two-storey
neoclassical houses with their brightly
painted doors and windows, wooden
balconies and tile roofs on the
waterfront and the majestic domes of
the churches testify to the island.s
former prosperity. A photograph in the
Archaeological Museum will show you
how many hundreds of houses there
used to be. Most of them were
destroyed by World War II bombs.
Though there are no beaches as such
on the island, you can take a little boat
to the particularly beautiful blue grotto
of Parasta, and there is excellent
swimming from the rocks near the port.
Boats are also on hand to take you to
the nearby islets of Ro (6 n.mi. west)
and Strongli (5 n.mi. southeast). Both
islands have wonderful beaches. Ro
became famous when its sole
inhabitant, the lady of Ro, used to
raise the Greek flag there every
morning.
The Dodecanese 11
HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
By ferry from Piraeus
For information about flights call
Airport (El. Venizelos): 2103530.000
For information on ship routes contact
Piraeus Port Authority , tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority
22460 49270
Police
22460 49333
Municipality
22460 49269
First Aid
22460 49267
16. Rhodes. The Palace of the
Grand Masters.
17. Rhodes. The village of Lindos
and the ancient acropolis on the top
of the steep hill.
18. Island of Ro.
19. Megisti.
20. Rhodes. Mandraki.
21. Karpathos.
The ruins of a Christian Basilica
of 5th/6th century A.D.
22. Karpathos. Messohori.
23. Kassos
Karpathos. capital and main port is 21.
Karpathos. The ruins of a Christian
Basilica of 5th/6th century A.D. 22.
Karpathos. Messohori. 23. Kassos.
Pigadia or Karpathos on the
southeast coast. It was built primarily
with funds sent home by immigrants to
the United States and it does not
reflect the local architectural style
found in the older villages.
Southwest of the capital is Menetes,
whose history started after the Middle
Ages, and Arkassa which has been
identified as the site of ancient
Arkesia. Here the ruins of a Christian
Basilica from the 5th/6th c. A.D. can
still be seen.
Thirteen kilometres to the northwest,
you come to Piles, mountainous
Othos to the northeast with its folk art
museum, and Volada, a traditional
village with houses whose interior
decoration is well worth a look.
Farther north, near the west coast, is
Messohori, where there is a genuine
Karpathian house open to the public.
Note
its
characteristic
wooden
ornamentation and the pebble mosaic
floor. Still farther north, almost cut off
from the rest of the island is its most
important village, Olimbos, which is
accessible
only
from
Diafanl,
Karpathos. second port.
Olimbos sits on a hillside overlooking
the Aegean. Founded sometime
between the 10th and 15th century, it
was originally fortified to afford its
residents protection from the pirates.
The highest spot in the village used to
be crowned with a tower. Even today
Olimbos has preserved its local
architecture intact, both in the interiors
and exteriors of the houses. Its
citizens take pride in maintaining their
traditions and still speak a dialect
which contains several Dorian words
and idioms.
Karpathos
has
many
beautiful
beaches: Finiki and Amfiarti to the
to the
southwest, Makriyialos
southeast, Agia Irini on the west
coast and Agios Nikolaos on the
east.
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KARPATHOS
This second largest island of the
Dodecanese chain lies between
Rhodes and Crete. It is rather
rectangular in shape and its
terrain is mountainous, the
highest peak being Kali Limni at
1,214 metres above sea level.
Most of its settlements are to be
found on its south coast, which is
relatively flat.
Near the north coast is a small
island called Saria, with which
Karpathos used to be united. On
this islet, at the site called
Palatia, there are some ruins
belonging to the ancient town of
Nisyros.
HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
By ferry from Piraeus
For information about flights call
Airport (El. Venizelos): 210 3530.000
For information on ship routes contact
Piraeus Port Authority , tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Airport
22450 91030
Port Authority 22450 22227
Police
22450 22222
Municipality
22450 23821 - 22221
First Aid
22450 22228
The Dodecanese 13
KASSOS
Kassos, the most southern of the
Dodecanese, is only 27 nautical
miles northeast of Crete. Its first
inhabitants are thought to have
been the Phoenicians. Homer
mentions it in his catalogue of
the Greek cities that took part in
the Trojan War. Kassos is a
mountainous island with a steep,
rocky
coastline
and
few
beaches. In the 18th century,
Kassos established its own
merchant fleet and grew rich
from trade. It played an active
role in the Greek War of
Independence of 1821, earning
the revenge of the TurkoEgyptian armada which set fire
to the island in May 1824 and
subsequently slaughtered its
inhabitants. Only a few survived.
The capital of the island is Fri,
built on picturesque Bouka Bay.
Its old stone houses - many of
them
constructed
by
sea
captains - extend on both sides
down to the sea.
To the east and very near Fri is
Emborios, the island.s other coastal
village. It boasts a beautiful church
dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin.
Other villages include Agia Marina,
set on a hill just one kilometre
southwest of Fri, and Arvanitohori,
southeast of Agia Marina, nestled in
the island.s only valley.
Two kilometres from Agia Marina
there is a cave called Sellai, 30
metres deep and 8 metres wide, with
impressive stalactites.
Swimmers will find pleasant beaches
at Fri, Emborios, Ammouda and on
the nearby islet of Armathia.
HOW TO GET THERE
By plane from Athens
By ferry from Piraeus
For information about flights call
Airport (El. Venizelos): 2103530.000
For information on ship routes
contact Piraeus Port Authority,
tel: 1440
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Port Authority 22450 41288
Police 22450 41222
Municipality 22450 41400-41277
First Aid 22450 41333
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The Dodecanese 15
The Dodecanese 16