Kastellorizo

Island's  History

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    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 ....]