Astypalaia
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Astypalia (Greek Αστυπάλαια ( f sg ) ) is a 96.42 km ² large Greek island of the Southern Sporades in the Aegean. The main island, together with about 45 uninhabited islands and rocky islets a municipality ( δήμος, Dimos ) within the South Aegean region.
Location
Being the westernmost island of the Dodecanese Astypalia provides a bridge to the Cyclades represents the nearest Dodecanese island of Kos is located about 44 km northeast. The Cyclades Islands Amorgos the distance is 41 km to the northwest and Anafi 45 km to the southwest.
Astypalaea is divided into two parts. The eastern Mesa Nisi ( Μέσα Νησί, Inner Island ') and the Western Exo Nisi ( Έξω Νησί, Outer Island ') are connected by a nearly 5 -km-long land bridge that attaches to the narrowest point about 100 m. Bounded by the two parts of the island and the land bridge to form two large bays, the North Bay and South Bay Astypalia ( Βόρειος Κόλπος Αστυπάλαιας, Νότιος Κόλπος Αστυπάλαιας ). Overall, the coastline of the island by a number of other large and small bays is divided and is surrounded by several small rocky islands. The distance from Cape Armeno ( Ακρωτήριο Άρμενο ) in the west to the Cape Poularis ( Ακρωτήριο Πούλαρης ) in the East is just over 19 km.
The greater part of the island Exo Nisi has from Cape Liani Pounda ( Ακρωτήριο Λιανή Πούντα ) in the north- west to Cape Echili ( Ακρωτήριο Εχειλή ) in the southeast and covers an area of 13.7 km in west-east direction from the Cape Armeno for land bridge about 8 km. From the center of the island drain several streams, even all year depending on rainfall to some extent. The Kako Potamos ( Κάκος Ποταμός ) originates in the area of Messaria, flows north and empties into the Bay Pachia Ammos ( Όρμος Παχεία Άμμος ). The water of the stream of Livadia ( Ρέμα των Λιβαδιών ) is stored in a reservoir. The estuary is located in the east in the bay of Livadi ( Όρμος Λιβάδι ). In the southwest of Astypalia, west of the source areas are the highest points of the island. Several mountains reach heights of over 400 meters, the Vardia ( Βάρδια, guard ') is 482 meters, the highest of the island.
Mesa Nisi is the smaller part of the island. From the Cape Flouda in the north to Cape Poularis in the southeast, the distance is 11.2 miles and from there west to the land bridge 6.3 km. Total Mesa Nisi is less mountainous. In the north of Agios Thomas ( Άγιος Θωμάς ) reaches 210 m, the Kastellanos ( Καστελλάνος ) in the southeastern reaches 366 meters.
Community structure
The municipality has 1334 inhabitants, spread over four locations
- Astypalia or Chora ( Αστυπάλαια ( f sg ) ή Χώρα ( f sg ) ), 1055
- Analipsi or Maltezana ( Ανάληψις ( f sg ) ή Μαλτεζάνα ( f sg ) ), 159
- Vathy ( Βαθύ (n. sg. )), 10
- Livadia ( Λιβάδια (n. pl. ) ), 110
The numerous small islands and rocks of the community are uninhabited.
Community logo
Both community logo and the slogan A butterfly in the middle of the Aegean Sea ... ( Μια πεταλούδα στη μέση του Αιγαίου ... ) refer to the outline of the island, which resembles that of a butterfly.
History
The island's name is derived from the mythical figure Astypalaia, but also can easily be translated as "old town " ( from Ancient Greek ἄστυ city). In the eastern part of the island, especially on the bay of Vathy, Early Cycladic settlements are established in the western part Mycenaean chamber tombs were found. In the 5th century BC Astypalia belonged to the Delian League. The ancient polis was located on the site of the present Chora. In ancient times, the island was known for its abundance of fish.
From 1207 ( division of the Byzantine Empire after the Fourth Crusade ), the island belonged - with a break late 13th century - 330 years long the noble Venetian family of Quirini. After multiple plundered by pirates who depopulated the island and left desolate, the city was refounded in the 15th century by settlers from Tinos.
Chaireddin Barbarossa conquered Astypalia 1537 for the Ottoman Empire. 1658 Astypalia was Venetian naval base during the war to Crete. The Italian name of the island was " Stropalia " or " Astropalia ".
In 1821 the sailors of Astypalia the Greek war of liberation involved, but the island was re-connected to the Ottoman Empire under self-government in 1832. In 1912, she came under Italian rule until 1947 and together with the Dodecanese to Greece.
Attractions
Above Chora is a Venetian castle. It was built in the 13th century by the Quirini and rebuilt after destruction by pirate attacks in re-establishing the early 15th century.
Outside the castle walls is the church " Maria Himmelspförtnerin " (Greek Ευαγγελίστρια η Πορταήτισσα, Evaggelistria i Portaitissa ) from the 18th century. She is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Dodecanese.
At the village Maltezana there are remains of a Roman bath with well-preserved mosaics. From the Byzantine period are countless votive chapels.
Tourism is, so far underdeveloped on this remote island that has to have only narrow gravel beaches. Main income of the islanders are the cheese industry ( goat and sheep ), the cultivation of citrus fruits and fishing ( lobster, inter alia ).