Karpathos

Just Greece - Holidays in Greece
Karpathos

Just Greece

Karpathos
Accommodations on Karpathos

Karpathos. This second large island of the Dodecanes 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 Nisyros. Karpathos' capital and main port is Pigadia or Karpathos on the southeastcoast. It was built primarily with funds sent home by immigrants to the United States and it does 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 ornamentationand the pebble mosaic floor. Still further north, almost cut off fromthe rest of the island is its most important village Olympos, which is accesible only from Diafani, Karpathos' second port. Olympos sits on a hillside overlooking the Aegean. Founded sometime between the 10th and the 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 Olympos has preserved its local architecture intact, both in the interiorsand exteriors of the houses. Its citizenstake pride in maintaining their traditions and still speak a dialect which contains several DOrian words and idioms. Karpathos has many beautiful beaches: Finiki and Amfiarty to the southwest, Makriyalos to the southeast, Agia Irini on the west coast and Agios Nikolaos on the east.


Karpathos, Olympos.
 Photo: Riet de la Mar



Olympos Karpathos

 Photo: Xavs


Karpathos, Pigadia.
Photo: Joyce R. Bos


Karpathos, Olympos.
 Photo: Riet de la Mar


Karpathos, Olympos.
 Photo: Riet de la Mar



Apella Karpathos.
Photo:
Michelle Plug


 
Karpathos Pigadia.
 Photo: Joyce R. Bos



Menetés.
 Photo: Annie Spijker


Karpathos
 Photo: Annie Spijker


Karpathos. Agia Fontini, near to Pigadia.
 Photo: Fam. van Os.
 

Karpathos, Olympos.
 Photo: Riet de la Mar


Karpathos
.
 Photo: Stefan Schaap
 


A view to the mountains of Volada
near the village of Aperi Karpathos
 Photo: Michelle Plug

 


Beach at Pigaidia Karpathos
 Photo: Michelle Plug


  Karpathos.
  Photo: Riet de la Mar
 

 Karpathos to Apella Bay



The workshop of sir Hapsis at Karpathos.

Photo:
Marian van Vessem


 Photo: Riet de la Mar

source: Greek National Tourist Organisation

Accommodations on Karpathos

Back to
the Dodecanese

Back to
Greece

 

 

 

 

Copyright JustGreece.com , De Griekse Gids (NL), De Griekse Gids (BE)
Contact - Email