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Traditional houses for sale in Kalymnos, in Greece

Kalymnos' airport is in operation

Rock Climbing holidays in May, in Kalymnos

 

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History

 In the 11th century Seltzouk Turks and Westerners with Crusades threaten the island.

 Then the Castle of Hora is built.

At the beginning of  the 14th century knights came to the island.

Then the smaller Castle of Chrysoheria is built, that was probably used as the residence of knight Fantino Quirini, whose marble blazon still stands in the Eastern side of the wall.

 Later, when the Turkish raids become more intense, the big Castle of Country is radically rebuilt and strengthened.

The population of the island is transported there and it becomes the eminently built-up centre. In 1523 Kalymnos is surrendered to the Turks, after the surrender of Rhodes and Kos. However, it is maintained almost autonomous and because of its poor ground it is not inhabited by the Turks.

With the sovereignty of Ottomans in the Aegean, the raids are decreased and the residents gradually come down from the Castle and live in the area around it. Their main employment is agriculture and small caiques for sponges made their first appearance.

The new Metropolitan Temple of Virgin Mary is completed in the centre of the city, the first sample of intellectual and economic rise of the Kalymnians. The flag of revolution will also be raised there in 1821. In spite of all fights, Kalymnos will remain in the sovereignty of the Turks.

 

   However, the sponge fishing and the trade were developed and the Kalymnians built bigger ships in order to fish in longer distances.

  As the future of the island is connected to the sea, the new city and the harbour of Pothia are developed progressively.

 In 1900 the Italians free the islands from the Turks.

However, the Italian and German possession will follow until Dodecanese is incorporated to Greece on 7th  March, 1947.

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