Kastelorizo island

General info:

Kastelorizo (or Megisti), lies close to the island of Rhodes and is the south-easternmost end of Greece territory.  It is a small island of some 10 square km and with a population of 450 residents that all live in the sole homonymous settlement.
Comparatively to its size, Kastelorizo has many   natural beauties and it is considered as a veritable paradise for nature-lovers.
It has also  been included in the European Natura 2000 Network.  Ιn its arid and rocky landscape that is  sparsely interrupted by some trees, and in  its few but clear beaches, a rich and rare fauna has found a safe shelter. 
Inhabited since the Neolithic Age, Kasterolizo has an interesting history that is depicted in the ruins of the ancient tombs, its medieval Castle and its beautiful churches.
Since there is only one, yet delightful settlement, there is no transportation net on the island and accommodation facilities are rather limited. However you can   explore this tiny island by walking to its wonderful trekking paths and to enjoy precious moments of serenity. The island has also several traditional taverns, some coffee-bars and few night bars.

Historical profile:

According to excavation finds, the island has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age probably by the Pelasgians and it was colonized by the Minoans and the Mycenaeans. At those times the island became a commercial center, mainly due to its port. In the 1st millennium BC it was colonized by the Dorians, who named it  “Megisti”. In later centuries it was dominated by the Persians, the Romans and became part of the Byzantine Empire. In 1306 it was ruled by the Knights of St. John, who built a fortified castle and named the island “Kastelorizo” (“Casatello-Rosso”) due to the red rocks at the top of which the Castle was erected.
In 1522 The Ottomans took over the island followed by the French in 1915 and the Italians.   In 1941 and 1943 Kasterolizo was heavily bombarded by the Italians and the Germans accordingly.  The island gained its freedom and was finally incorporated in the Greek State in 1948.  

Villages:

The settlement of Kasterolizo (or Megisti) is the sole inhabited area and also the port of the island. Built around the port and surrounded by relatively green scenery, Megisti offers an idyllic picture itself with its charming houses of wooden balconies and colourful windows, the well-preserved mansions and its cobbled narrow alleys.
The 14th- century medieval Castle that is standing at  the top of a hill, the bright white windmill, the mosque at the entrance of the harbour and the Cathedral of St. Constantine and St. Helen   with evident the Gothic influence, emphasize the  unembellished beauty of this scenic place.

At the archaeological site of Paleokastro (Palaiokastro), remnants of an Early Hellenist fortified edifice, the impressive stone-hewed Lycian tomb with a temple-shaped façade    and also the remarkable churches of Panagia of the Castle can be seen. Furthermore, the relics of the Cyclopean Walls (at the site of Limenari) the ancient tombs and the Church of Agios Georgios tou Vounou (St. George of the Mountain) are also worth-seeing.
Don’t fail also to visit  the Blue Cave which is considered  as one of the most spectacular  in the Mediterranean, for its   extraordinary waters in all shades of blue and its wonderful stalagmites and stalagmites formations.

The Archaeological and the Folklore Museum, housed in the Castle accommodate interesting finds from all the historical eras and local costumes, embroideries and objects of the daily life accordingly.

Beaches:

Due to its size, Kastelorizo offers few beaches most of them rocky, with amazing crystalline waters. The beaches of Mandraki, of Plakes and  of Megisti are ideal for enjoying the clear sea and the beautiful scenery. In addition, swimming in the dreamy Blue Cave is an unmemorable experience you shouldn’t miss.  

Access:

Kastelorizo is accessible by sea via scheduled trips from the    Port of Rhodes.

Alternatively you can flight to the airport of Rhodes and from there you can get the local boat to Kastelorizo.

 

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