| Nissiros (Nisyros)
Nisyros or Nissiros
is a small volcanic island, a mere 41 kilometres in area, situated
between Kos and Tilos.
In antiquity it was known as Porphyris. Mythology holds that once
it was united with Kos and that when Poseidon was chasing the giant
Polyvotis, he split the two islands asunder. The capital and port
of Nisyros is Mandraki, set in the northwest atthe foot of a steep
hill. The whiteness of its houses forms a striking contrast to
the dark, volcanic earth. Yet another castle erected by the Knights
of St. John looms above the small town, while a chapel nearby dedicated
to the Panayia tis Spilianis (Our Lady of the Cave), the patroness
of the island, clings to the tip of the rock. Built in 1600, it
is linked with many traditions and has a lovely18th century iconostasis.
The island's hot springs, fabled since antiquity and still in use
today, are to be found at Loutra just 1,5 kilometres from Mandraki.
East of Loutra is the picturesque fishing village of Pali. Another
village Emborios lies to the southeast of Mandraki, in the interior
of the island, in a lush areawith mineral springs and planted with
olive trees, fruit trees, fig trees and grapevines.
Click on the
photo to enlarge
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Nisyros
Photo: Kristiaan Brosens
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Nisyros.
Photo: Kristiaan Brosens |
You have to go almost
to the middle of Nisyros to the Lakki plateau, to see
the crater of the extinct volcano, Polybates.It is 260
metres in diameter and 30 metres deep with steps leading
down to its centre. The reek of sulphur fills the surrounding
air, while the scenery could belong to the moon. In the
south of the island, the charming village of Nikia perches
on the crest of a hill400 metres above sealevel. Its
white houseswith their brightliy coloured doors and windows
and tile roofs are an atractive complement to the greenery
that abounds in the district. Nisyros is blessed with
many lovely beaches: at Mandraki, Hochlaki, Agia Irini,
Avlaki and on Giali, the islet directly opposite. |
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Nisyros
Photo: Kristiaan Brosens
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Nisyros.
Photo: Kristiaan Brosens |
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Photo: L. Broekarts.
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Photo: L.
Broekarts
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