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Kastellorizo - Megisti
Megisti
or Kastellorizo is the Aegean's easternmost island. It has been
inhabited since prehistoric times. The Dorians who settled it
later constructed fortified acropolises near the present day
town and at Palaiokastro, where some ruins can still be seen.
The name Kastellorize comes from its castle, Castello Rosso (or
red castle) erected by the Knights of St. John. The islnd's only
settlement is Megisti, otherwise knowen as Kastellorizo, on the
northeast coast. Its houses line the horsehoe- shaped port and
climb up the foothills of teh mountain is crowned by the aforementioned
castle, where Lambros Katsonis fought the Turks in 1788. The
gracious two-storey neoclassical houses with their brightly painted
doors and windows, wooden balconies and tile roofs on the waterfront
and the majesticdomes of the churchestestify to the island's
former prosperity. A photograph in the Archaeological Museum
will show you how many hundreds of houses there used to be. Most
of them were destroyed by World War II bombs.
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Kastellorizo.
Photo: Kristiaan
Brosens
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Kastellorizo.
Photo: Kristiaan
Brosens
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| Though there are no beaches as
such on the island, you can take a little boat to the particularly
beautiful blue grotto of Parasta, and there is an excellent
swimming from the rocks near the port. Boats are also on
hand to take you to the nearby islets of Ro and Strongli.
Both islands have wonderful beaches. Ro became famous when
its sole inhabitant, the lady of Ro, used to raise the Greek
flag there every morning. |
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Kastellorizo.
Photo: Kristiaan
Brosens
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Kastellorizo.
Photo: Kristiaan
Brosens
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