Kalymnos

Kalymnos is located in the Dodecanese Archipelago, the group of twelve islands closest to the coast of Asia Minor.

Neither small nor large, Kalymnos, not much affected by mass tourism, is a wonderful island where you can still breathe an authentic, typically Greek atmosphere. Its development towards modernity is still slow and to be honest we think it's a great thing, it doesn't want to distort itself and become a typically tourist island, its inhabitants with a proud and firm character ultimately don't have the desire to change , they love Kalymnos for what it is, trying to maintain habits, customs and traditions as in times gone by.

History of Kalymnos

It has a very long history and we start from the always fascinating and interesting mythology. His name comes from the titan Kalydnos, son of Hera and Uranus, who saved himself from his father's wrath by clinging to the island. Since the Bronze Age 3000 BC it was inhabited by the population of Asia Minor and they had a link with the Minoan civilization as evidenced by the remains in Emporio and Vathi. It played an important role in the Trojan War as Kalymnos was once famous for its naval constructions. In the 7th century BC it was part of the Doric Hexapolis together with the nearby island of Kos but was conquered by the Persians after the defeat in the Peloponnesian War. During the Roman period, it fell into ruin due to the heavy tributes imposed and to make the situation worse, in the Byzantine period it was continuously plundered by pirates, forcing the inhabitants to build a fortified citadel, the Hora. A decidedly unfortunate island in the past, in addition to the continuous raids of marauders and usurpers, it has also suffered several calamities from Nature such as the violent earthquake in 535 which even detached a part of the island giving life to the current islet of Teleondos. In the 13th century it underwent Venetian domination and was then almost immediately ceded to the Knights of St. John. As in all of Greece, the subsequent period linked to the Ottoman Empire did not contribute in a positive sense to its survival, they were dark and difficult centuries for the population who, however, resisted until the end. Then the Italians arrive and first move the capital towards the sea to Pothia which however gives relief to its inhabitants by also doing many things to improve the island. It ends with the Second World War, where the Germans occupy it for about a couple of years also making life difficult but finally in 1948 on March 7th it becomes free and Greek again.

Kalymnos is a mountainous island which has at its center a fertile valley where juicy citrus fruits known throughout the Archipelago are grown, natural inlets that almost look like Norwegian fjords, breathtaking views and beaches mainly made of small stones with extremely clean and crystalline.

When you think of Kalymnos, the first things you remember are sponges, good food and sports.

As for sponges, for those who don't know yet, he holds the record of fishing for these animals, tradition has it that for more than 500 years they have been the best at fishing them. For good food there is little to explain, taking into account that the majority of the population is dedicated to deep sea fishing, it is not difficult to understand that in Kalymnos you can eat the freshest fish in the entire Dodecanese and in addition to the quality it should be added that the ancient recipes with which local dishes are still prepared have that extra something. Finally, let's talk about sport, thanks to its morphology which offers high cliffs overlooking the sea and rock faces to explore, every year the free clumbing world championship is organised. Usually in October but generally for most of the year, Kalymnos is populated by athletes from all over the world who come here to participate in the event or simply to conquer new peaks while having fun.

The sea in Kalymnos is a sparkling and iridescent blue, a color that can only be found here and gives that particular and unique touch to the island. Its coasts are true oases of relaxation where you can spend a quiet day at the seaside in close contact with Nature.

Stop in Pothia for an aperitif perhaps on Sunday when the whole port is filled with locals who for nothing in the world would give up a moment of sharing kissed by the sun's rays, take the opportunity to go and see the Sponge Museum or go to a typical tavern for a delicious lunch or in one of the many "ouzerias" where you can try the legendary mèze fish, meat or cheese appetizers accompanied by a glass of ouzo or better yet of tsipouro.

Visit the Castle of the Golden Hand in Chora, the old capital, residence of the Knights of St. John, then move to the village of Vathi (only the road will give you breathtaking views) a small village at the end of a fertile valley that ends in a wonderful inlet with water almost exotic and if you are among the lucky ones who can rent a boat go to the cliff where there is a swing suspended over the sea where you can swing and admire the beauty of the fjord.

A trip to Telendos island is a must! Also called the "Sleeping Princess", it can be reached with a ten-minute boat ride from the Myrties area. A place where time seems to have stopped with some beaches, some tremendously wild and reachable on foot through centuries-old olive groves, others like the one on the side where you arrive also equipped with a couple of taverns where you can sit and fill your belly while losing yourself with your gaze towards the horizon. In Telendos on August 15th a big party is organized in honor of the Holy Virgin, go there if you are nearby during your holiday in Kalymnos it will be a fantastic experience.

What else can we say other than "getting lost" on this unusual island, get on your motorbike and get behind the wheel following the roads that will give you hidden corners that you will hardly be able to forget.