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Astypalea
A quick tour in the Astypalea island, Greece
Vacation and accommodation in Greece is a complete Travel Guide for Greece. In Vacation-Greece you will find information on Greek islands and a list of hotels and villas in Dodecanese, studios and apartments for all budgets. Find hotel offers in Dodecanese, see maps and photos of Dodecanese, book flights, ferry tickets, discover Dodecanese, book guided tours and make hotel reservations.
This most western of the Dodecanese has had many names: Ichthyoessa (abundant in fish) in ancient times; Stampalia or Astropalia, as the locals call it today. The name Astypalea means "oid city".
A mountainous island with an indented coastline concealing numerous delightful coves, Astypalea (or Astipalea) in fact resembles two islands joined by a ribbon of land only 105 metres wide.
The main village is Hora or Astypalea, built up the side of a steep hill, and presided over by the massive, austere remains of a Venetian castle. Its small, square houses, painted white with brightly coloured doors and windows, follow the contours of the hill in an almost unbroken band down to the sea. So closely are they packed that the walls of the uñ-permost houses form part of the outer fortifications of the castle.
A row of windmilis ïn the pass of the hill provides an additional picturesque note.
One enters the castle from the south - west side of the hill. Inside it are two churches, dedicated to St. George and to the Annunciation (Evangelismos). The former contains a noteworthy carved iconostasis.
Below the castle stands the l8th century church of Our Lady Portaitissa, one of the most beautiful in the Dodecanese. It too has an impressive iconostasis, covered with gold leaf.
Livadia, Analipsi and Vathi are charming fishing hamlets on the south and north coast of the island, while among its many beaches, Tria Marmara, Schinontas and Vathi stand out.
how to get there
By plane with OA from Athens (Elefterios Venizelos Airport of Spata)
By ferry from Pireas
This most western of the Dodecanese has had many names: Ichthyoessa (abundant in fish) in ancient times; Stampalia or Astropalia, as the locals call it today. The name Astypalea means "oid city".
A mountainous island with an indented coastline concealing numerous delightful coves, Astypalea (or Astipalea) in fact resembles two islands joined by a ribbon of land only 105 metres wide.
The main village is Hora or Astypalea, built up the side of a steep hill, and presided over by the massive, austere remains of a Venetian castle. Its small, square houses, painted white with brightly coloured doors and windows, follow the contours of the hill in an almost unbroken band down to the sea. So closely are they packed that the walls of the uñ-permost houses form part of the outer fortifications of the castle.
A row of windmilis ïn the pass of the hill provides an additional picturesque note.
One enters the castle from the south - west side of the hill. Inside it are two churches, dedicated to St. George and to the Annunciation (Evangelismos). The former contains a noteworthy carved iconostasis.
Below the castle stands the l8th century church of Our Lady Portaitissa, one of the most beautiful in the Dodecanese. It too has an impressive iconostasis, covered with gold leaf.
Livadia, Analipsi and Vathi are charming fishing hamlets on the south and north coast of the island, while among its many beaches, Tria Marmara, Schinontas and Vathi stand out.
how to get there
By plane with OA from Athens (Elefterios Venizelos Airport of Spata)
By ferry from Pireas
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