Kastellórizo (Καστελλόριζο), also Megisti (Μεγίστη), because the largest Island of their archipelago, is the easternmost inhabited island of the Dodecanese and at the same time whole Greece. Located in the Mediterranean just one nautical mile (approx. Two kilometers) from the Turkish coast, it offers an oasis of calm and relaxation with a Greek flair.
places
Kastellórizo, also Castellorizo, is the main island of an - otherwise uninhabited - archipelago. It only has one city. This city has no name of its own, one speaks of Porto (port) and Mandraki (that's the name of the neighboring bay) or Kastellórizo (the name of the island) and leaves it to the context to determine what is meant.
The city has a natural harbor around which the main path leads. Most of the shops and restaurants are there. In front of the restaurants moor (sails) yachts. The best berth - especially for larger yachts - is the small quay in front of Lazarus Lazarakis Restaurant. It is the custom to dine where one has moored. The right side from the sea is relatively flat, in places less than 1 m. Opposite, in the middle of the left side, a quay was concreted for the ferry and cargo ships. The fishing boats of the local fishermen lie between the yachts and on the sides behind the entrance. What they catch at night is put on the restaurant table at lunchtime.
The only town on the approximately 9 km² small island is too small for you to usually bother to give an address - you ask for the name of the person you are looking for, the restaurant, hotel or apartment and the route is described or shown.
There are very few cars, most of them are driven purely for work. The alleys leading from the "harbor promenade" and behind it have that typical Greek flair that makes it so pleasant to go for a walk in old towns. In between there are the comfortable climbs to the castle.
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| postage | ||
| region | Dodecanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 400 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 492   | ||
| Tourist info web | http://www.megisti.gr | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
The crusaders built the castle out of red sandstone, the Ottomans the mosque. During the First World War the island was occupied by the French, from 1922 it was run down under Italian administration. In 1943, after Italy's surrender, the British occupied the island, but gave it up again during a German attack - after they had previously forced the population to leave the island and spread them over the entire Middle East.
In 1947 Kastellorizo became part of Greece. Of the 300 people who wanted to return, most emigrated to Australia when they found their homes destroyed and looted. Today the remaining 100 inhabitants have become 400 again. That is nothing compared to the 20,000 inhabitants in 1920.
getting there
The connections with Greece are all over Rhodes and are sponsored by the government (as of 2011). Even the flight is cheaper than the ferry to Cheese.
By plane
Daily from Rhodes, € 38
In the street
over Istanbul, Adapazan, Bileck, Kutahya, Afyonkarahisar, Antalya, Finike, Demre (Myra), Kaş, crossing without a car.
By boat
Two to five times a week from Rhodes, daily from Kaş.
No berth costs with your own boat (As of 2007). It is now possible to clear in.
mobility
A city in two bays: everything can be easily reached on foot, and the airport can be reached by shuttle bus or taxi.
Tourist Attractions
- The old crusader castle (ruin)
- The old mosque. Today there is a museum underneath.
- The two churches
- The winding streets and stairways of the old town
- The blue grotto
The large natural harbor (east) and part of the city
The large natural harbor (west) and part of the city
The cape between the districts, above the castle ruins
Crusaders rarely come
View over the harbor
activities
Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, harpooning, hiking.
shop
The human Life from tourism, everything tailored to it is in abundance. You can get more with the daily connection to Kaş. The duty-free shop is close to the ferry terminal.
kitchen
Greek and international, especially freshly caught fish.
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nightlife
When the last of the night owls disappear into their bunks or beds and the bar can finally close, the first fishermen usually come to have a morning coffee - the result is 24-hour operation.
accommodation
Kastellorizo has no hotel complexes, but three small hotels and many pensions and apartments, mostly of medium quality at medium prices.
Work
may be possible in gastronomy.
security
The police station is next to the former mosque, there are also customs and port authorities. The harbor is well protected by the mountains and safe as long as there is no NE to E storm.
health
The infirmary is near the ferry dock. It is excellently equipped and staffed - an advantage of the Turkish rivalry.
Practical advice
English is spoken almost everywhere, but even German is sufficient if necessary. The police and the administration answer questions. Both are based next to the former mosque. In addition, every local is happy to help.
The post office is in the westernmost house (end of town, opposite the administration on the other side of the harbor, uphill path behind the row of houses, down to the hotel). Internet via WLAN, code from the landlord or the municipal administration.
trips
- Boat trips by locals for a few euros to the neighboring islands (almost everyone has a boat).
- Kaş with its Lycian tombs and its artist colony, opposite the island on the Turkish mainland, is the starting point for trips to the St. Nicholas town of Demre (Myra).
- Kekova by boat, beautiful seascape between the island of Kekova and the mainland, the remains of the sunken ancient city of Appolonia are easy to see.
literature
: Moments on Kastellorizo. Photo book 72 pages foreword GR / DE / EN / FR. 2008, ISBN 978-3-9810001-3-9 .
