Kálymnos
Chief town: Kálymnos (Póthia)
Kálymnos, a bare limestone island slashed by numerous gorges, lies 12km/7.5mi northwest of Kos and is separated from Léros to the northwest by the narrow Diapori Channel. The coasts are mostly steep and rocky with numerous coves and inlets.
The inhabitants live partly by farming in the few fertile valleys and depressions, but mainly - as they have done for centuries - by diving for sponges in the southeastern Mediterranean and processing them for export to America.
Kálymnos, a bare limestone island slashed by numerous gorges, lies 12km/7.5mi northwest of Kos and is separated from Léros to the northwest by the narrow Diapori Channel. The coasts are mostly steep and rocky with numerous coves and inlets.
The inhabitants live partly by farming in the few fertile valleys and depressions, but mainly - as they have done for centuries - by diving for sponges in the southeastern Mediterranean and processing them for export to America.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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The departure (April-May) and return (September- October) of the sponge-fishing fleet are celebrated with lively festivities.
Finds in various caves round the coasts, particularly at Daskalió, near Vathy, and Ayía Varvára, show that Kálymnos has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period. The island never played a prominent part in history.
Regular boat services from and to Athens (Piraeus) run several times weekly (14-19 hours; cars carried). Local services in the Dodecanese: Rhodes- Symi - Tílos - Nísyros - Kos - Kálymnos - Léros - Lipsí - Pátmos - Arkí - Agathonísi - Sámos; Rhodes - Kos - Kálymnos - Astypálaia.
Finds in various caves round the coasts, particularly at Daskalió, near Vathy, and Ayía Varvára, show that Kálymnos has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period. The island never played a prominent part in history.
Regular boat services from and to Athens (Piraeus) run several times weekly (14-19 hours; cars carried). Local services in the Dodecanese: Rhodes- Symi - Tílos - Nísyros - Kos - Kálymnos - Léros - Lipsí - Pátmos - Arkí - Agathonísi - Sámos; Rhodes - Kos - Kálymnos - Astypálaia.
Related Attractions
Caves
Kalymnos has several caves.
On the southwestern part of the island is the Kefala or Trypa cave with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the caves of the Seven Virgins and the Cavern of the Nymphs at the foot of Mt Flaska. The cave of Scalia lies to the southwest.
On the southwestern part of the island is the Kefala or Trypa cave with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the caves of the Seven Virgins and the Cavern of the Nymphs at the foot of Mt Flaska. The cave of Scalia lies to the southwest.
Christ of Jerusalem Church
West of Khorió on Kálymnos, in the valley above Linari Bay, can be seen the ruined church of Christ of Jerusalem, an Early Christian basilica (sixth century) built, reusing ancient stones on the foundations of a sanctuary of Delian Apollo.
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Kálymnos Khorió
Northwest of the town of Kálymnos is the former capital of the island of Kálymnos, Khorió (17th century), with a Byzantine castle.
