Kastelorizo
From CruisersWiki
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* September 1997 --[[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]] [[Image:Greece_Icon.png]] | * September 1997 --[[User:Istioploos|Istioploos]] [[Image:Greece_Icon.png]] | ||
* October 2014 --[[User:Lyra|Lyra]] | * October 2014 --[[User:Lyra|Lyra]] | ||
- | * August 2018 --[[User:Io|Io]] | + | * June 2016 ([[#Megisti|Megisti]]) --[[User:Io|Io]] |
+ | * August 2018 ([[#Megisti|Megisti]]) --[[User:Io|Io]] | ||
* June 2019 ([[#Megisti|Megisti]]) --[[User:Io|Io]] | * June 2019 ([[#Megisti|Megisti]]) --[[User:Io|Io]] | ||
+ | * August 2020 ([[#Megisti|Megisti]]) --[[User:Io|Io]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:24, 9 September 2020
Kastelorizo There are Port(s) of Entry here
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The island of Kastelorizo, (Καστελόριζο) the ancient Megisti (Μεγίστη), or Meis in Turkish, is the easternmost part of Greece and certainly the most isolated, being 70 nM East of Rhodes. Kastelorizo with an area of 11.987 km2 is the smallest of the Dodecanese.
Kastelorizo was the location of the delightful anti-war Oscar winning film Meditteraneo.
Charts
- BA
- 236 Hisurönü Körfezi to Taslik Burnu including Rhodos
- Imray-Tetra
- G36 Marmaris to Kekova Adasi
- ΝΙΜΑ
- 54420 Iskandil Burnu to Dildarde Burnu
- Greek
- 452 Rhodos to Castelorizo
Weather
There can be very strong gusts during a meltemi blow. These gusts combined with a west setting current create very steep and possibly dangerous seas in the Kaqstelorizo-Kaş channel.
Passages
Islands
Communication
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12, Tel. +30 2410 29 070
- Olympia Radio - VHF no signal
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
The approaches to harbor of Kastelorizo from the north are straightforward but, Danger: approaching Kastelorizo from the south is dangerous because of the many reefs and islets.
Entrance
Megisti is a port of entry/exit for Greece.
Berthing
You can either go to the harbor Megisti or anchor off in nearby Mandraki.
Ports
Megisti
Megisti is the only harbor in Kastelorizo. Moor stern-to or bow-to the quay.
The quay can be somewhat noisy because of the restaurants. If you want to avoid the noise go to nearby Mandraki.Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Mandraki
Mandraki is about 1 nM from the harbor of Megisti. It is preferable being quieter and since one can easily get to the town with the dinghy.
Anchor at 3-8 m depth, good holding.
Caution: There are numerous reefs near Mandraki.Amenities
Facilities | |
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Water | Megisti: you may be able to get a hose from a restaurant |
Electricity | Megisti: you may be able to connect at a restaurant |
Toilets | Public toilet close to the SE corner of the harbor (small fee) |
Showers | Public shower close to the SE corner of the harbor (small fee) |
Laundry | There is a cafe at the SE corner of the harbor with coin operated washer and dryer |
Garbage | There are bins around the harbor |
Supplies | |
Fuel | Megisti: can be bought at a gas station located outside the town or ordered by truck from gas station - you will need to come with the boat to the ferries dock |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | None |
Services | |
Repairs | N/A |
Internet | In Internet cafés |
Mobile connectivity | Reasonably strong 3G signal |
Vehicle rentals | N/A |
Provisioning
Megisti [[Kastelorizo#Megisti|Megisti]] Some stores but with limited supplies.
Eating out
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Sydney [[Kastelorizo#Sydney|Sydney]] by the water front is very good. A local specialty well worth asking for are katoumaria, honey dipped wheat strings.
- There are a number of good restaurants.
Transportation
There is regular air and ferry service to Rhodes with connections to Athens.
Tourism
![]() The Cyclopean Walls |
![]() The Blue Grotto |
History
During the 19th and early 20th century Kastelorizo was fairly prosperous with a large trading fleet and had more than 20,000 inhabitants. For a period of time it was even a refueling stop for the Air France seaplanes flying to Lebanon. Following the 1921 Greco-Turkish war the inhabitants lost their land-holdings and trade with Asia-Minor and the island's economy went into steep decline. Many islanders migrated to Australia. During World War II the island was forcefully temporarily depopulated by the British. Today there are only 200 inhabitants (there are more Kastellorizoi in Sydney) but with many subsidies from Athens many of the old houses are being restored. It is a very quiet and pleasant place to spend a few peaceful days.
Local lore has it that during the World War II the British, after evacuating the inhabitants, set the houses on fire to prevent repatriation. "The Lady of Ro" who after being widowed tended her husband's flocks on the small island of Ro (Ρώ). She refused to be evacuated and stayed all by herself on the island during the war years and everyday, without fail, raised the Greek flag. She died just a few years ago.
Places to Visit
There are several points of interest here. In town there is the Red Castle (this is the Castelo Roso after which the island is named) and the museum. The museum which is housed in a restored building within the castle consists of 2-3 small rooms with antiquities (not too exiting since the best pieces are in the National Museum in Athens) and some rather interesting ethnographic material (old photographs, costumes, embroideries, etc.). Mr. Elias, the guard, will give a complete tour of the museum as well as an overview of the recent history of Kastellorizo. He is a fountain of local lore.
An hour hike up the steps of the steep hill leads to the monastery of St. George of the Mountain (Ayios Giorgis o Voumias). The monastery is interesting but it is in a state of great abandonment, only the church is maintained. It was founded by Osios Anthimos and it was never fully staffed. Under the church there is a crypt, that is rather hard to climb down to. Before starting for this hike ask for the key to the monastery at the Little Paris café.
Other hikes are to the Old Castle on the north side of the island, which affords excellent views of the Turkish coast, and to the Cyclopean Walls straight up from the town.
From the town there excursion boats daily to the famous Blue Grotto.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Kastelorizo (Wikipedia)
- Ro (Wikipedia)
- "The Lady of Ro" (Wikipedia)
References
See Greece.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Kastelorizo and this page's details validated:
- September 1997 --Istioploos
- October 2014 --Lyra
- June 2016 (Megisti) --Io
- August 2018 (Megisti) --Io
- June 2019 (Megisti) --Io
- August 2020 (Megisti) --Io
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
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Names: Istioploos |