Kastellorizo Island's History |
The small but with great history island of Kastellorizo, was named in the
ancient times Megisti (the biggest), whether due to the first inhabitant
Megistefs, or because it is the biggest island within very small ones. The
second version is the one that is accepted by most of the people. The Greek
island Megisti -the historian Stravon call her Kisthini-was inhabited from the
ancient Neolithic years and midminoic times. After that was colonised, as in all
Dodekanissos by the Dorians. The island had his local civilisation, if we take
in consideration the ancient findings, tombs, ancient inscriptions, walls, ruins
of Apollo Megistefs, temple and especially the all gold wreath of exceptional
art, kept in Athens Museum. The worship of Apollo, over all the other Gods, was
spread over the island and in the opposite cost of Minor Asia, especially in
Patara, where they had his amazing temple with statue and where they got coins
with the head of the god in one side and a rose on the opposite, and two capital
letters "ME" engraved on the coin, that means Megisteon.
Megisti
took part with the other islands of Dodekanissos, to the expedition of Troy. But
also as an allay of Athenians, helped them on the struggles against the Persians.
For a while the island was separated from the sea ruler Rhodes in 300 BC. But
soon came back under her mighty sovereignty following her historical path, like
the other islands of Dodekanissos.
Then
became propriety of the Romans and then of the Byzantine Empire, then became
propriety of Saint John's Knights of Rhodes.
The
piratical raids from the seashores of Africa and the Middle East, do not let the
island in peace. The population every a while and in order to save themselves,
was taking refuge in the high castle, which was built by from Sosiklea Nikagoras,
and restored by Juan De Eredia (1377-1396), 8th Big Magistrate of the Knights,
putting his magnificent coat of arms that was representing seven golden towers
on a red background. they were the seven towers that he added with the very high
double walls and the loopholes, achieving one of the most powerful stronghold in
the Aegean pelage. Is since that moment that the name Megisti was changed to
Kastellorizo, altered from Castello
Rosso (Chateau Rouge), because the high rocks surrounding the castle, also the
mountains are all red. And by the time the ancient name Megisti was
replaced by Kastellorizo. His admirable harbour was always a wanted
nautical station for the fleets of everybody, as base, starting point and
shelter in every necessary moment. For this cause and for the strong castle he
disposed with the name Agios Nikolaos, and for his geographical place, was the
target for many raids from pirates And strong conquerors.
The Egyptians, who came in 1440 with their armada, bombarded the castle
and they conquer the island. But again is taken back from the western Europeans,
with the help of Alfonse the Spanish King and the Pope Nicholas the 5th. After
them in 1522, the island was conquered by the sultan Souleiman the Magnificent,
with his strong fleet. The island subjected
without resistance, to the new conqueror, paying only a yearly tax (maktou), and
preserve the privilege of religion,
of language and the ethnic traditions. The navy and the merchant fleet of the
island gain one of the highest place between the Dodekanese merchant navy. But a
new raid comes again to interrupt the progression of Kastellorizo. In 1659 is conquered by the Venetians, but is getting back
again to the Turks, until July 1788 when heroic seaman Lambros Katsonis arrived
and fell on the island as a savage whirlwind.
The castle fortified with 14 big cannons and 1150 armed persons - as
tradition says -, there was imprisoned by the Algerians the fiancé of
Katsonis, Maria Sofianopoulou. With
his cruiser "Athina of the Bear", having 20 cannons and some other
ships under his command, he sailed away from the opposite seashore of Lykia and
came by night to conquer Kastellorizo
bombarding the castle from the eastern site while the rest of the fleet anchored
without any light and without been seen under the high steep rocks on the
western coast. From this point, in the darkness, 200 marines climbed secretly,
without anybody in the castle took knowledge and suddenly fell on the walls
while from the other side the bombs were falling like rain, throwing dawn the
castle and killing most of the offenders. This battle that hold for a night and
a day was very stubborn. When the defenders realised that they had no any
strength to resist against the Greeks, they elevate a white flag surrendering
the castle with all their arms, having ask before, and with the interference of
the Greek cathedral, to promise
that will no longer harm them and to send them safe to the Middle East coast.
Katsonis promised after he got the keys of the castle, that he thrown dawn
completely having removed all of the armament. Apart that the island remained on
the Turks.
Meanwhile the navy and the merchant fleet of the island was again in
great flourish, travelling to all the big Mediterranean harbours, from where
they were bringing enormous wealth to the barren small island.
From the beginning of the 20th century now was in his greatest prosperity.
Was covered with high stone built lordly houses, with 2 or 3 ceilings in order
that they perceive from afar the sea shore till the top of the high hill on the
right, their famous harbour full of the vessels, that were built locally in
Mandraki's shipyards under the supervision of a famous technician, Nikolettos
Karallis or bought ready from Genoa, Trieste, Marseilles.
When the revolution of 1821 was declared, the Kastellorizians on the fear
of slaughter of the Christians, they sent their families to the islands of
Kassos, Karpathos and Amorgos. The island remains desserts with the lordly
houses full of fortune, that they have been left windfall of grasp and disaster.
Only one person remained on the uninhabited island, a monk called Paissios, who
lead a hermit's life in the Agios Georgios's monastery on the mountain, where an
underground well was a good hiding place. He lived there waiting the
Kastellorizians to come back. And when he saw them from up there coming back on
the island, it was the day of Profiti Ilias's eve, he run down the mountain to
the seashore, falling on the sea to reach them swimming towards their vessels to
welcome them.
The
kastellorizians having ensured the safety of their families on the other islands, offered their
ships for the battle of independence, transforming then to fighting vessels with
fire, following the other Greek captains, Kanaris, Vokos, Voudouris and
Apostolis, hunting the enemy wherever he was.
[There is more to come ....]