Karpathos Island

Karpahos Island Italianized as Scarpanto, is located in the Dodecanese archipelago, lost in the middle of the Aegean between  Rhodes island and  Crete island.

It is the third largest in the archipelago and we can say that it is a real pearl. Once almost hidden, today however much beaten by tourism especially the Italian one which, however, despite the invasion in general in the summer period has managed to still preserve its typically Greek atmosphere and its customs and traditions that date back to past centuries.

With a long and narrow shape with an extension of about 324 square kilometers, it is mainly covered by mountains that cross it from north to south with peaks that even reach 1200 meters such as Mount Kali Limni or Mount Lastos which offer wonderful panoramas suspended between the sky and an intense blue sea. Like almost all the Greek Islands it has two satellite islets, the uninhabited and wild Saria island to the north, and the Kassos island to the south where it is also possible to think of stopping for a few days.

Its morphology offers a different environment where Mother Nature has been able to create breathtaking overhangs, waterways, promontories where a rich flora and fauna feeds as well as beaches where you can abandon yourself and recharge your batteries.

A warning, Karpathos is sometimes windswept so if you are not a fan of Eolo it could be a little difficult to live together.

History of Karpathos

Starting from mythology, Karpathos was the place where the king of the Titans Leptsos, son of Gaia and Uranus, lived. According to legends it is here that Athena was born from the head of Zeus. Populated since the Neolithic, in the Minoan era it saw the migration of settlers from Crete who remained there until the end of the Bronze Age. It too took part in the Trojan war and was then conquered by the Dorians. During the classical period it reached a high degree of civilization thanks to its proximity to the port of Lindos. In the Hellenistic era however it had a close bond with Rhodes which influenced it in all its events. Under Roman domination it was highly protected as it was a stopping point for the maritime routes between Rome and the cities of the eastern Mediterranean. In the Byzantine era however it suffered many attacks by pirates forcing the population to move inland to protect themselves. Then came the Genoese who stayed for two centuries and then the Venetians landed until the Ottoman rule in 1912, the year in which it was annexed to Italy together with other islands of the Dodecanese. Finally in the Second World War after being liberated from the Germans in 1948 it became part of the Greek State.

You choose a holiday in Karpathos as it is a quiet and uncontaminated island where you can find dream beaches bathed by a sea that is perhaps among the most beautiful of all the Greek Islands with colors ranging from intense turquoise to emerald to the dark blue typical of the Aegean.

Certainly deserves a visit to the ancient village of Olympos in the northwest part of the wildest area of the island. Built on top of a mountain ridge to defend against marauders, it is definitely an enchanted place. Natural stone houses to camouflage themselves with the landscape where people still dress according to tradition with handkerchiefs on their heads and hand-embroidered blouses, where the narrow streets still breathe a genuine air linked to old customs and traditions. It is called "the village of Women" as they are the majority because since ancient times because men were either to fight or to work. Diafani instead always to the north is a small village with houses with flat roofs as well as the second port of Karpathos. Its fish market is legendary as fishing boats arrive there after their fishing trips. From here we set off to discover the wonderful Saria island.

Moving instead to the south, be sure to go to Amoopi, wedged in a stupendous inlet between sandy beaches and rocky cliffs, or the capital Pigadia, a lively town where comfort but also tradition are not lacking, and again in Aperi, 320 meters above sea level, a once the capital of the island with its pretty square and its small churches. Finally Menetes village built during the medieval period where the view is amazing.

If you love trekking, Karpathos will give you great satisfaction! Especially the part close to Diafani has paths that will take you to remote places full of history and mystery. In this regard, if you want a holiday in Karpathos based on walks and not just the sea, write to us at info@meraviglioseisolegreche.com we will direct you to an expert and local guide who can organize memorable excursions for you.

There are many things that revolve around Karpathos and it will not be difficult to fall in love with her, for its authenticity, a still intact and primitive territory and a lot of availability on the part of its inhabitants who will always be happy to give you useful information to better enjoy this beautiful island.