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.
Karpathos’ capital and main port is 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 of 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.
Further 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 further north, almost
cut off from the rest of the island, is its most important village, Olimbos,
which is accessible only from Diafani,
Karpathos’ second port. Olimbos sits
on a hlllside 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 southwest, Makriyialos to the southeast,
Agia Irini on the west coast and Agios
Nikolaos on the east.
