Chalki Island

Khalki ( Chalki ), is a small mountainous island, of about 400 inhabitants, that covers a surface area of 28km. Its name most probably reflects the copper (chalkos in greek) once mined there. It has ony one settlement. Emborio or Nimborio,a little harbour town consisting of 2 and 3-story Venetian style renovated mansions, overshadowed by a Byzantine bell tower and a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains guarded by 3 ruined windmills (Vassilakio, Aggelakio and Andrikakio). On the main road leading to and from the harbour you can see the bust of Alexandros Diakos, the first officer to fall defending the ideals of democracy and freedom in the Dodecanese islands during WWII. Do not miss the church of St. Nicholas, built in 1861, with its magnificent bell tower whose base leans over an arch made of ancien marbles taken from a temple dedicated to Apollo, as well as the ecclesiastical museum that exists there. Furthermore, in Emborio you can see the clock tower - a donation of the expatriate Chalkian community - that stands before the Town Hall, and the building of Hiona Vouvali, once used for storing sponge supplies. Ten minutes away from Emborio is Pondamos beach, a sandy length of coastline framing crystal clear waters. But there is more undiscovered shoreline, as Chalki is surrounded by a string of pure white beaches (some within walking distance and other best reached by boat). Hire a little motor boat to take you to the beaches of Yiali, Trachia, Kania or Areta and to the islet of Alimia.

Deeper into the mainland, a ruined crusade castle, perched on a hill, guards the remains of the old capital, Chorio, now deserted. The walk to the castle is wonderful and the ruins are untouched. The Chalkian castle has a history of more than two thousand years. St. John's Knights constructed the main building on the remains of an ancient acropolis in the 14th or the 15th century. Walking up the path to the castle's entrance visitors come across ancient marbles, foundations of temples, but also the remains of walls of the Hellenistic/classical perod, Byzantine churches and bigger or smaller ancient Greek and Byzantine cisterns. It is a path of history. The views from the unguarde ramparts, over the town towards Rhodes, or out towards distant Karpathos, are sensational. At the NE of the castle, admire the church of St. Nicholas and its magnificent frescoes. Chalki is an ideal island for walkers. Take long walks to discver the approximately 360 country chapels, most of them very old and now ruined. The hospitable Chalkians will be happy to suggest you paths and trails to discover the island's unrevealed beauty. You will enjoy Chalki's hospitality at its best, however, if you are lucky enough to be there during its festivities. The whole island celebrates with a memorable passion, and everyone is more than welcome to join in. Every 29th of August, the island's biggest feast, held at the monastery of Ai Giannis, is honored by Chalkians living throughout the world coming back this particular day to celebrate. Lying just a few miles off the island of Rhodes, this tiny island has completely escaped the busyness of its larger neighbour. Once a self-sufficient island made rich by sponge diving, Chalki is now a quiet island promising relaxing, though interesting holidays...

HISTORY OF CHALKI

The island supported a much larger population but following emigration in the mid twentieth century Chorio was almost completely abandoned. A ruined medieval castle of the Knights of St. John overlooks the old town and the chapel contains some of the original frescoes.

Chalki possibly got its name from the copper (in Greek chalkos) workshops that were there in ancient times. The Titans were according to Greek mythology the first inhabitants of all the surrounding islands. The Pelasgians lived here for a long time, leaving several constructions behind, before they were succeeded by the Carians, the Dorians and later the Phoenicians. Aretanassa, the illustrious queen of Halki lived here once, before being exiled in Karpathos where she committed suicide after her husband's death. Remains of three temples of the god Apollo are preseved at the location of Pefkia, today's Nimborio (along the coastline). The god was worshipped here with exceptional honours. During the flourishing period of the Athenian state, Chalki regularly paid the alliance taxes. In the 7th century it is concered by the Arabs, until 825 when it is liberated. Venetians and Genovians arrived on the island in 1204 and repaired the ancient acropolis, building at the same time a fortress on the island of Alimia. In 1523 Chalki was conquered by the Turks. It takes part in the 1821 revolution, it is conquered by the Italians in 1912 and finally is annexed to Greece along with the rest of the Dodecanese.

 

 

SITES TO VISIT IN  CHALKI

Ancient crusader castle, Church of St. Nicholas
Monastery of Stavros
Old monastery of Taxiarchis Michail Panormitis
Small chapel of Ai Giannis
Phoeniki with the half ruined monastery of St. Zaharias
Pefkia with Apollo's temple
The islets of Alimia and Krevati

 

Tilos Island

Tilos is an Aegean island with nineteen beaches, twelve mountains, seven medieval castles, a Byzantine monastery and two hundred churches, a cave full of natural discoveries, a village that is a declared cultural monument, a hundred bird species, hundreds of wild flowers and herbs, and five hundred residents. Livadia is the island’s main port Livadia was established around 1930 as a village although it had existed as a harbour before that. Most of the buildings are modern mixed with a few traditional ones. Livadia has a lovely horseshoe bay which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling, there is also shade along the beach beneath the Tamarisk trees. These trees were originally planted as a windbreak to protect the crops grown in the very fertile soil along the front. The North winds are so dry they can ‘burn’ crops. Above the village is the remains of a 15th century castle – Agriosikia and in the valleys below the old monastery Politissa

 

Megalo Horio

The capital of the island with just 180 full-time residents. Megalo Horio (Big Village) is much older and more traditional Greek village with winding alleyways and traditional buildings. There is one road that runs past the village but the majority is inaccessible by car. There are some beautiful churches here – the Church of Archangel Michael (Taxiarchis) opposite the Island Council Offices and Panagia on top of the village. On the summit above the village is the most complete of the seven Crusader castles on the island. It’s a steep climb up with no shade but stunning views from the top. Also here is the Elephant Museum – where finds from the Harkadio Cave are displayed – if the museum is closed, ask at the council offices (go up the stairs to the left of the museum). Vicky the guide is usually around to fill you in on all the necessary details! Also in Megalo Horio is another pharmacy/doctor’s surgery.

 

Mikro Horio

Mikro Horio was the original capital of the island and was once home to 1700 people. The village is now deserted – the residents either emigrated or moved down to the Livadia to be closer to the developing port. Nowadays the village is like a time-capsule a witness to a life that no longer exists. It is very atmospheric
to wander around. The bus does not go to Mikro Horio but it is not too long a walk.

Harkadio

On the left hand side of the road to Megalo Horio is the Harkadio Cave where the remains of dwarf elephants were discovered in 1971. The cave is not open to the public as excavations are still continuing. However, the view from outside the cave is wonderful and underneath is a small amphitheatre which is host to concerts during the summer months. Stand in the centre to experience the perfect acoustic! Nearby the entrance, you will see the construction of the new museum which will eventually contain the finds made in the cave. Some are presently on display in the small museum in Megalo Horio but the majority are in Vienna. The bones of thousands of elephants have been found in the cave and the discovery was on of the first to establish the existence of elephants in Europe - it is thought that they swam here from Africa and the dwarfism developed due to a gradual decline in the population due to hunting by man.

 

Nisyros Island

Nisyros is a small island in the Dodecanese complex, between Kos and Tilos. It is a quiet place, far from the tourist current other Greek islands have, that fascinates and charms visitors with its strong colourful character, the dark brown of its volcanic earth, the white of its houses and the deep blue of its sea. Nothing disturbs the silence of the island, which gives it a mysterious charm that remains with visitors who almost always fall in love with Nisyros and cherish its memories One of the natural attractions of Nisyros island is the volcano, on its central side, near the village of Nikia, on the plateau of Lakki. It's an active volcano with a large crater into which one can descend by steps. Entering the crater, one could easily believe that one was walking on the moon, were it not for the hot sun that shines above in all its glory.  The crater is layered with a hot surface (not hot enough to scold, one can easily walk on it but shoes, preferably mountain boots are most definitely required) and thick vapours, and is frequently visited by tourists from the nearby Greek islands.Nisyros also has therapeutic springs with good curative properties at Loutra, near the capital.A traditional product of Nisyros is soumada, a non-alcoholic almond-flavoured drink. The patron saint of the island is Saint Nikitas. Many Orthodox Christian churches are found on the island, as well as four monasteries which are not inhabited by monks today, although various celebrations take place in them. The largest monastery is the one of Panagia Spiliani (Blessed Virgin Mary of the cave) at Mandraki. It is built beside the medieval castle erected by the Knights Hospitaller who conquered the island in 1315.

Nisyros History

The history of Nisyros is closely linked with the volcanic eruptions that occurred in the ancient past. The first known inhabitants of the island were Karrians but recent evidence has found relics left by people from Kos, Thessaly and Rhodes during the ancient times of Greek History. According to the Greek Mythology, Nisyros was was born by a stone that Poseidon throw to the Giant Polyvoti during the fight of Gods against the Giants. 

The rock was a piece from the island of Kos and that rock created Nisyros. During the Persian wars Nisyros together with the islands of Kos and Kalymnos where under the rule of the small kingdom of Halicarnassus and her queen Artemissia one of the alliances of Xerxes in his campaign against Greece.

The history of Nissyros and its growth, because of its proximity, was linked to that of Rhodes. In modern times, the development of Nissyros is due to the investments made by ex-patriots who emigrated after the Second World War. Up until 1948 when the island unified with Greece, like all of the Dodecanese, Nisyros was an Italian colony.

Places to visit on Nisyros

Mandraki: The Old Fortress (Paleokastro) with the ruins of the ancient city lies 4 km southwest. Sections of the fortified walls dating from the 4th century BC and the gateway structure have survived. They are strongly reminiscent of similar Mycenean structures.
The ancient cemetery with finds dating from the 7th and 6th centuries BC and a grave from the 5th century BC.
Fortresses : Mandraki:
Spiliani Fortress dominates the capital and is thought to have been built by the Knights of the Order of St. John (1315). The view from this location is unique.
Emborios: 
The ruined Venetian Fortress at the highest point in the village.

 

Monasteries and Churches :
Mandraki:
The Monastery of Panaghia Spiliani. This location was the oldest centre of worship on the island. Columns and Corinthian capitals have been found here. Inside the cave are the sanctuary and the Katholikon, the monastery's central church. The monastery stands on the same hill as Spiliani Fortress. It was built around 1400 AD. The church is a basilica with a charming iconostasis from the 18th century. There is a small library with Greek books and documents. Among the relics kept are ecclesiastical vessels, crosses, gospels, portable icons and a gold dove offered by pirates. Churches in the town include Aghios Nikitas, its patron saint, Panaghia Potamitissa, Aghios Savvas, Aghios Nikolaos, the Holy Cross (Stavrou), Panormitis and the church 
jointly dedicated to Aghia Paraskevi and Aghios Athanasios.

The Evangelistria Monastery lies amid beautiful countryside 5km southeast. Note the unusual large tree outside the monastery.

Emborios: The churches of the Dormition of the Virgin (Kimiseos Theotokou) in the centre of the village and Archangel Michael in the fortress with its exceptional wall 
paintings are worthy of a visit.
The Monastery of the Virgin Our Lady (Panaghia Kyra also known as Pigi Kyra) lies 7.5 km southeast amid enchanting countryside. A guesthouse operates on the feast of the Virgin.

Nikia: The churches are those dedicated to the Virgin (Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple - Eisodia Theotokou), Aghios Theologos with its ornate bell tower just outside 
the village with a view of the volcano and Aghios Panteleimon in Avlaki.

Palli: The chapel of Panaghia Thermiani is built amid the ruins of Roman baths behind the Pantelidis Baths.

 

Simi  Island

SYMI or Simi is one of the smaller holiday islands in the Dodecanese group just 9km off the Turkish coast and north from Rhodes. Boat building and sponge diving once made the island rich; now tourism has taken. Symi is noted for peace and tranquillity rather than beaches, which are in short supply. Symi is also much noted for summer temperatures, which can soar to 38°C.

The neo-classical mansions that hang off the hills around the main port are a reminder of the rich pickings once enjoyed by the inhabitants.

HISTORY OF SIMI

	In spite of being a small island, Simi holds a rich history that dates back to ancient times. In fact, Homer mentioned this island in the Illiad because of its role on the Trojan War, as it was headed by the Simian King Nireas. In addition, Herodotus referred to Simi as a member of the Dorian Hexapolis –meaning ‘6 cities’. In fact, since 480 B.C. Simi belonged to the Athenian League However, the old island of Simi was not always known by its current name, as it was formally called: Kirki, Metapontis and Aigli. The name we use today is related to mythology, and is taken from the nymph Simi, who married Poseidon, the god of the sea and gave birth to the later leader of the island’s inhabitants, Hithonios.

Rhodes | Chalki | Tyros | Nisyros | Simi |