Keywords
Kastellorizo, Greek islands, cultural heritage, tourism, history, travel, Mediterranean, Australian heritage, exploration, blue cave, Megistri
Summary
In this episode of the Take Me to Europe podcast, host Monique Skidmore takes listeners on a captivating journey to Kastellorizo, a picturesque Greek island. The conversation explores the island’s stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and the unique connection between its Australian diaspora and their ancestral home. From the inviting waters and vibrant local life to the historical significance of ancient ruins, listeners are invited to discover the charm and allure of Kastellorizo, along with its modern revival as a tourist destination.
Takeaways
- Kastellorizo is a beautiful Greek island worth exploring.
- The island features a U-shaped harbour with colorful houses.
- Visitors can dive into the water from various spots.
- The cultural center includes an old Ottoman mosque.
- The island has a rich history with Bronze Age shipwrecks.
- The Lycian tomb is a significant historical site.
- Kastellorizo has a strong Australian connection.
- The island has been beautifully restored by returning descendants.
- The Blue Cave is a must-visit swimming spot.
- Daily ferries connect Kastellorizo to the Turkish city of Kas.
Sound Bites
“The jewel in the Crown of Magistri.”
“I might be more in love with Kastellorizo than any other Greek Island.”
Timeline
00:00 – Introduction
00:33 – Kastellorizo Harbor
01:58 – Kassies
02:35 – Historical Sites Around the Island
04:17 – Kastellorizo Today
04:57 – Day Trips
05:42 – Conclusion
Transcript
Introduction (00:00)
Hi, I’m Monique from Take Me to Europe Tours. I’m in beautiful Kastellorizo. Come and explore this wonderful Greek island with me.
It might be a big call, but I might be more in love with Kastellorizo than any other Greek island. Of course, I haven’t been to all of them yet, but it’s certainly my top three so far.
Kastellorizo Harbor (00:33)
Kastellorizo’s U-shaped harbor has rows of colourful houses rising up to cover Mount Vigla above. In the harbour you can drop into the water.
In fact, you can just dive into the water anywhere off this 10 square kilometre island. There are ladders all over the place, but sometimes the water is just so inviting.
You have to jump in wherever you find yourself. It’s hard to be stressed about anything here, or even remember what stresses you might have had before you disembarked from the ferry.
Every day is similar. You eat warm pie, drink frappes or freddo espresso by the water, then choose where to swim. Will it be a blue cave, a deserted cove, the harbor? Or is it time for bit of exploring?
The jewel in the Crown of Magistri, as Kastellorizo was once called, is the harbor. Here you’ll find: the ferry port, the old Ottoman mosque, that screens films during the summer months, and is a cultural centre, the little brightly painted lighthouse, cafes and beach bars, souvenir shops, some selling pearls, gold, diamonds and designer clothing, restaurants, the Church of St George of the Wells, a couple of hotels, fishing boats and their nets, and hundreds of small cafe tables.
Kassies (01:58)
I became interested in Kastellorizo when I learned that almost the entire population is made up of Australians with Kastellorizo heritage, who left between 1900 and 1940 and then began returning in the 1970s.
There’s more than 30,000 Kassies, as they call themselves, that still live in Australia. And a huge number of these go back to Kastellorizo every summer.
Historical Sites Around the Island (02:35)
Like all Greek islands, it has many layers of history. Bronze Age shipwrecks have been found here.
And high on the plateau above the towns are the remains of the Acropolis of Paleokastro. You can see the forlorn remains of what were the Cyclopean walls, a fortress, and there’s a Doric inscription that dates from the 4th to the 3rd century BC.
On the hill above the harbor, you’ll see signs pointing to the Lycian tomb, the museum, and the castle. For me, the most interesting is the Lycian tomb.
These tombs are common across the channel in Türkiye but very rare in Greece. This one dates from the 4th century BC and has a Doric facade.
The diachronic museum of Kastellorizo is rarely open, but if you find it open when you visit, you’ll be able to see rare Lycian votive reliefs from the Roman period.
Beyond the hill is the lovely little harbour of Mandraki, Kastellorizo’s second harbor and the main town with its neoclassical school, churches, sporting facilities, and administration offices.
The castle on the hill was built by the Crusader Knights of St. John and was their base between 1306 and 1309 while they were besieging Rhodes. After four years, they were successful, and the headquarters of the Knights became Rhodes Town in 1310 AD.
There’s a tall and rather steep metal staircase to take you to the top of the castle.
Kastellorizo Today (04:17)
Kastellorizo suffered invasions, occupations, devastation in the two world wars, and an economic bust when the era of steamships began and sponge diving was no longer profitable.
When Australian and Italian Kastellorizo refugees and descendants started returning to the island, they bought up and renovated the houses, starting at the waterfront.
If you haven’t been to the island for a while, you’ll be surprised at the beautifully restored houses.
And now there are super yachts that sail in before dusk and glide out quietly in the morning, their owners having spent the evening dining at the waterfront cafes.
Day trips (04:57)
Once you’ve spent a few days wandering the harbourfront, swimming, and checking out the hillsides, you’ll probably be wanting to take a little boat out each day to the caves and the best swimming spots around the island. The Blue Cave is the best in the Mediterranean and even bigger than the Blue Cave of Capri, so don’t miss it.
Other great day trips include Little Ro Island and Kas, the Turkish city across the channel that runs daily ferries to Kastellorizo.
Conclusion (05:42)
I hope you’ve enjoyed our quick tour of Kastellorizo Island. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter to learn about this and many other exciting destinations at Take Me to Europe Tours.
