The Dodecanese are located
south of Samos and Fournoi, east of the Cyclades, east of the
coast of Asia Minor and north-east of Crete. It is an enchanted
world where the sun paints pictures and the sea gives life.
The mild winters and refreshing summers give the Dodecanese
one of the healthiest climates in the Mediterranean. The islands
of the Dodecanese are engaged in a beauty contest, with no clear
winner.
Rodos (Rhodes)
The largest island in the group is Rodos
(Rhodes) also known as the island of the Sun. The capital, City
of Rodos is like a valuable coin with two faces. One face, "heads",
is the old town, a fairy-tale place surrounded by medieval
walls and traversed by the Street of the Knights
of St. John. On either side of the road is the old
town with the 'Inns', the Hospital of the Knights and the palace
of the Grand Master. The other face, "tails", is the
modern city with an intense nightlife, broad streets, beautiful
buildings, large hotels, and hundreds of shops where anything
can be found. The entire island is crammed with sights worth
seeing, from the archaeological sites to the fabulous beaches,
from the valley with the butterflies to the
ruins of ancient Rodos, from the Acropolis of Lindos
to the archaeological sites at Kameiros and
Ialysos. And naturally, the strong sunlight
and the beautiful sea are as present in Rodos as they are throughout
the Dodecanese, as they are throughout Greece.
Right: Entrance of the port of Rodos
Kastelorizo (Megisti)
Southeast of Rodos lies Kastelorizo (Megisti), whose
capital town of the same name is built amphitheatrically and reaches
right down to the waterfront. A small island with important sights,
such as the Blue Grotto, one of the most gorgeously
coloured caves in Greece, and the cathedral of Saints
Konstantinos and Eleni.
Patmos
Between Leros and Ikaria is the
"ascetic shape" of Patmos, called the Jerusalem
of the Aegean due to the overwhelming atmosphere of the island during
the great celebrations of Christianity. Here, in one of Patmos many
caves, St. John the Theologian had a vision of the
Apocalypse.
An imposing monastery devoted to the saint dominates
the heights above the picturesque houses and mansions which
appear to be 'hooked' to the roots of the monastery. The image
the visitor will keep from Patmos will be completed by an excursion
to its rocky coves and pleasant shores before passing over to
the nearby islets of Fourni, Leipsi,
and Agathonisi.
Kos
Kos is a splash of deep green located between
Kalymnos and Nisyros. Among
the thousands of impressive sights are the Asklipeion,
the houses dating from the Roman era with the fabulous mosaics,
the palace of the Knights of St. John, in the
town of Kos, the early Christian churches with their noteworthy
frescos. The island also has many spots famous for their charm:
quiet fishing villages, and beaches, ranging from empty to full.
other islands
Leipsi or Lipso is very attractive with enchanting
beaches and scenic fish tavernas offering local wine.
Leros is a hilly island with deep green coves, idyllic
valleys, indented shores and the imposing Frankish-Byzantine
castle over the Chora.
Astipalaia: Small white houses with brightly painted
windows open to the sun, a row of windmills, caves
with stalactites and stalagmites at Vathi and Vetses.
Astipalaia
Grey, gold, and green, framed by the blue of the sea and the sky,
are the colours composing the portrait of Kalymnos:
naked rock, golden beaches, and verdant valleys. The capital Pothia
is built amphitheatrically with multi- coloured geometrically shaped
houses, churches, and scenic roads. Beautiful areas with picturesque
villages, radioactive springs, and idyllic spots for swimming, fishing,
and relaxing holidays are everywhere.
The visitor will be impressed by the contrast formed by the white
houses on Nisyros's grey volcanic soil,
just before he ends up in one of the beautiful fishing villages for
some quiet sea and sun.
Tilos is fine sand beaches, untouched nature, medieval
castles, and a respect for the island's traditions.
You will know you are on Symi by the mountains and small valleys,
wonderful coves, strong sense of tradition, and the monastery of the
Archangel Michael with its Byzantine frescos.
West of Rodos lies a small mountainous island, Chalki.
A thousand songs pay tribute to this quiet place that is ideal for
relaxing holidays. The inhabitants of beautiful Karpathos
are famous for their strong sense of tradition and the island in known
for its scenic mountains in the north, as well as for its lovely beaches
with their charming fishing villages.
The southernmost island, Kasos, closes this
brief tour of the Dodecanese. The capital of the island, Frys,
with its stone houses is built in Bouka bay.
The Kassiot fairs held regularly in the picturesque villages
are redolent of the special local flavour.
