Dodecanese - Dodekanesos

Dodecanese[1], this is Greek for The Twelve Islands, the traditional name since Antiquity and also the official Greek name of the region since 1908. Why the twelve islands? There may have been twelve inhabited islands or twelve city-states in the region, some of which ruled one or more neighboring islands. The dominated islands were then not counted to arrive at twelve. One explanation from a book is that only the islands off what is now the Turkish coast were referred to as the Dodecanese, and the name remained unchanged when the region was expanded to include other islands. Facts change or are forgotten but some names stick around for a long time. In any case, these islands are located off the Turkish coast. Foreign rulers have long known the islands. Since ancient times successively: Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Turks, Italians and finally the English. Many of these rulers have left their mark in the form of houses, churches, castles, fortresses and mosques. In the first half of the last century, the Italians carried out many excavations and restorations.

Rhodes and Kos are the main islands for tourism. patmos, with less natural beauty, comes in third place.

Regions

The big islands

• patmos - Located in the north of the area, the island of John the Evangelist.
• Leros - A pretty fertile island
• kalimnos - Island of sponge fishermen, it is located northwest of Kos.
• Kos (Latin: cos). The Island of the Greek Doctor hippocrates, from antiquity, who wrote down the treatments known at that time and established the first guidelines for medical action with the institution of the oath named after him.
• Nisyros - Volcanic island just south of Kos.
• Tilos
• Rhodes - The Island of the Knights Hospitaller and the legendary "Colossos", a statue the size of it statue of liberty, which would once have stood straddling the entrance to Mandraki harbour. Now the island is a busy tourist resort.
• Karpathos - Is between Rhodes and Crete.

The Small Islands

• Arkic
• Lipsos
• agathonisi
• Pserimos
• Astipalea - Located well west of Kos. It has such an irregular shape that it resembles two islands connected by a natural dam.
• Levita
• Kinaros
• Symi - Often visited as an excursion by boat from Rhodes. Here, too, sponge fishing was the main source of income.
• Chalkic
• kasos
• Kastellorizo - Named after it Red Castle. Sometimes it gets too megisti or Kastelorizon called. It's a long way east of Rhodes and south of Turkey opposite the place Kas.

Towns

• Rhodes - The capital of the Dodecanese and the island of the same name. The old knight's city and the palace of the Grand Masters are definitely worth a visit.
• Lindos - On Rhodes, with white houses around the ancient Acropolos. One of the three ancient cities on the island.
• Kos - The capital of the island of the same name.
• Hora The capital of the island of Patmos, with the monastery of John the Theologian.

Other Destinations

Athens, It National Archaeological Museum and the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art preserve the best finds from this region.

Info

Language

The population speaks Greek, in the tourist centers also, among other things, English and German spoken.

Arrive

Travel around

Although airports are still being built, the traditional way to reach the islands, by boat, is often the only option.

To look at

Routes

To do

Food

Going out

These regions are mainly Kos and Rhodes Town known for their rich nightlife.

Safety

all around

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