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Greek Islands
> Aegean Sea
> North Aegean islands
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North
Aegean
Islands in Greece
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 North
Aegean islands invite us along with the gods to take an
imaginary voyage “through the waters of the Aegean”, to
places in close contact with the dream, legend, poetry, and
brine that adorn the olive trees of Mytilini, the vines of
Samos and the mastic trees of Chios.
Here Europe is just a stone’s throw from Asia and history is
interwoven with legend. It was here that Icarus fell
into the sea during man's first attempt to conquer the sky.
On the North Aegean islands you see beautiful
Neoclassical houses next to crystalline water, here folk art
has done wonders with wood, clay and color, reaching its
peak in the paintings of Theophilos. Philosophers like
Pittakos once governed, and governors like Polykrates
philosophized. Today its fresh fish and aromatic ouzo
provide pleasure, not just for the gods but for all who
visit.
Apart from the larger islands of Lesvos,Samos,
Chios, Limnos, and Ikaria, you'll also find countless
smaller ones – little jewels like Fourni, Inoussai, Psara,
Lipsi and many others. |
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Dodecanese islands are formed, as the geologists say, from the peaks of the
mountains of the Aegeis, the dry land that joined Greece to Asia which sank into
the Mediterranean sea four million years ago.
Ancient history
The Dodecanese islands have been
inhabited since the prehistoric period and were first ruled by the
Minoans and then the
Achaeans. But their economic and intellectual development began with the arrival
of the Dorians in 1100 B.C., reaching a peak of growth in the 8th century. The
three large towns of Lindus, Cameirus and Ialyssus which were built on the
island of Rhodes in the 6th century B.C. by the Dorians and constituted along
with Kos, Cnidus and Halicarnassus in Asia Minor the Dorian Hexapolis.
The
economical and cultural growth of this area was cut off prematurely by the
Persian tempest which then shook all Greece. After the defeat of the
Persians, the Dodecanese became members of the Athenian Alliance in 408 B.C.
and the three large towns of Rhodes united into one stale. More particularly,
Kos prospered in the 4th and the 3rd century B.C. because of the school of
"Medicine" founded there by HIPPOCRATES.
Medieval
The Romans occupied the islands in 146 B.C. to be
followed by the long Byzantine period till the time of the Crusaders. In 1309
the Knights of the Order of Saint John became the rulers of Rhodes and then
extended their sovereignty to the other islands as well. In 1522 the islands
were occupied by the Turks and in 1912 the Italians.
The islands of
Dodecanese were united with Greece in 1948.
source:
www.helios.gr
more history |
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If you like me to assist you with
your holiday choice in the North Aegean Islands, please
send me an e-mail with your questions and enquiries. I will be glad to reply and
assist you, wherever I possibly can. |
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North Aegean Islands today |
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For a wide variety of Greek experiences,
there’s no better activity than
island-hopping around the Dodecanese.
Beaches, medieval towns, volcanic craters,
nightlife…take your pick – you won’t be
disappointed. Rhodes is by far the
largest of the islands and attracts its fair
share of tourism – mainly from Britain,
Germany and Scandinavia. It is also the most
likely arrival point for any visitor to the
Dodecanese.
Other quiet islands in this area
include Arki, Lipsi and Tilos – a real gem,
whose continued neglect by tourists remains
a mystery. Nearby Nisyros is one of
Greece’s most beautiful and distinctive
islands – characterised by the dormant
volcano at its centre. The list of
attractions in the Dodecanese could go on
forever, and the islands will keep you
enthralled for as long as you can afford to
stay there.
Flying to the Dodecanese Islands from the
Greek mainland is fairly straightforward.
Astipalea, Karpathos, Kos, Leros and Rhodes
all have direct flights to Athens. In
addition, Rhodes has flights to Iraklio,
Kassos (via Karpathos), Thessalonica, and in
summer to Myconos and Santorini (Thira) in
the Cyclades as well as to Kos, Leros and
Astipalea.
Rhodes, Kos and Karpathos
airports have international charter flights
during summer period.
A large fleet
of ferries and modern high-speed boats
connects Dodecanese islands with Athens and
other major Greek cities. |
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