Karpathos Greece

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Karpathos. This second large 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 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 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 kilometers 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.

Karpathos, Olympos. Photo: Riet de la Mar	Olympos Karpathos Photo: Xavs
Karpathos, Pigadia. Photo: Joyce R. Bos	Karpathos, Olympos. Photo: Riet de la Mar

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 Olympos, which is accessible 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 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 Amfiarty to the southwest, Makriyalos to the southeast, Agia Irini on the west coast and Agios Nikolaos on the east.

Pictures of Karpathos

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	The workshop of sir Hapsis at Karpathos. Photo: Marian van Vessem