The island has been known as MEGÍSTI since antiquity, because it is the largest among many small islands. It was renamed “Kastellórizo” during the Frankish rule, because of the characteristic castle of the island built atop red rocks (Kastello Rosso). Both names (Megísti and Kastellórizo) are used today. The geographer Strávon (1st century BC) called the island KISTHÍNI.
The island has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age. During the dispersal of the Hellenic tribes the island was colonised by Dorians, as were the rest of the Dodekánisa and opposite coasts of Asia Minor (during these years the Greek town of ANTÍFELOS was built exactly opposite on the mainland). Megísti took part in the Trojan War and belonged to the Athenian Allies in the 5th century BC. From the middle of the 4th century, the island became part of the state of Ródos, and from then on followed the fate of the Dodekánisa.
Its position on the coastal route towards Cyprus – Kilikía (SE Asia Minor) – Syria – Egypt, as well as its safe harbour, helped to create a commercial junction as well as a base of military operations here. This brought great wealth but also tribulations to the island. The islanders occupied themselves with sailing early on and became expert sailors (indeed, the size of the island and its rocky configuration did not leave much scope for anything outside of sea activities).
The island’s castle was built in the 4th century BC and was improved upon in the 2nd century BC by the Governor of Ródos, Sosiklís Nikagóras. The same castle was reconstructed by the Franks in the 14th century AD and from this age Megísti was renamed Kastellórizo, as mentioned previously. The island was overthrown many times and in the 16th century was enslaved to the Turks, in whose control it remained up until the beginning of the 20th century. During this period, the island had a breather only around the end of the 18th century, when the Greek sea warrior Lámpros Katsónis disembarked and conquered the island (the overthrown Turks were sent via ships to the opposite coasts of Asia Minor).
When the Greek Revolution was declared in 1821 against the Turks, the islanders sent their women and children to some of the larger Greek islands in fear of the Turkish reprisals and joined the Nation’s sea fight. They not only fought but also sent ships, battling side by side with other sea heroes of the age, such as, Miaoúlis, Kanáris, Apostólis etc. When Greece was reunited at the end of the battle, unfortunately the London Protocol (1830) by the Great Forces (England, France, Russia) of that age did not include Megísti, or the remaining other Dodekánisa or the island of Sámos, but instead gave to Greece the island of Évvoia. The island remained under the rule of the Turks, who were however lenient.
The island thrived during this period. The resident population reached 14,000 (today there are around 300 inhabitants) and there were around 120 sailing ships. In 1913 the island was freed by the Greeks, but captured immediately afterwards by the French and came into Italian rule in 1920. During this year the island fell into decline. The pressing demands of the Italian yoke were enough to make the islanders depart, with only 2000 people remaining. The Germans in the 2nd World War continuously bombarded Megísti. The few remaining inhabitants of the island left to shelter in the desert of Palestine, under recommendation by the English, where they stayed in a camp for two years with the other islanders of the Dodekánisa and Sámos. When the population finally returned to their homes, they found their town completely burned and destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. The island was under English occupation (as were the rest of the Dodekánisa) up until it was finally reunited with Mother Greece in 1947.
Sightseeing: On your island tour, you should include the Lykiakós Tomb from the 4th century BC, Palaiókastro (2km west of the harbour), the point where the life of the island started (Neolithic tools were found here), the Castle of the harbour, which protected the harbour for 23 years, the church of Ágios Nikólaos in the Castle (15th century), the church of Ágios Konstantínos and Eléni (19th century), which, according to tradition, was built here by Agía Eléni when she found shelter in the island’s harbour from a storm that she met on her way to the Holy Lands, the church of Ágios Geórgios tou Vounoú (if you survive the climbing of the 401 steps), the Galázio Spílaio (Blue Cave), which is comprised of five caves, namely of Parastás, Kolónes, Arnaoútis, Fókialis and Katrantís. Of all of these, the cave of Parastás is one of the most important in Europe and is of special interest. This sea cave is 100m long, 45m wide and 35m high. Its entrance is very low, and you will have to bend down in your boat when entering, only if the water level is low. If the water level is high you have to swim in! It is better to visit during morning hours, when sunlight comes in and you will be charmed by how it plays upon the water. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum (22410 49283), inside the harbour’s castle.
Flavours: The island’s baklavás (here known as “Stravá”) and sweet pies are two very special tastes.
