KALYMNOS TRAVEL GUIDE

KALYMNOS > ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCHAEOLOGY

The island was settled originally by Carians, as the earlier name Calynda attests, and later by Dorians. At Chorio, close to the present town of Kalymnos, walls of Classical and Hellenistic buildings are visible. Here is the site of the temple of Apollo Delios, on which the basilica of Christ of Jerusalem (6th century AD) was built. The sanctuary of Asklepios was located near the church of Holy Wisdom (Aghia Sophia), as a statue of God, now in the Kalymnos Archaeological Museum, reveals.

In the late 3rd century B.C. Kalymnos was annexed to Cos. In the Vathy Valley as far as the Rina bay, building remains of Hellenistic and Roman times can be seen. At the site of Phylakai (village of Metochi) ruins of a Hellenistic farmstead have been found. At the site of Emvola, also near the village of Metochi, a Hellenistic fortified wall perhaps indicates the existence of a city. On the hill of Kasteli or Kastelas, above Metochi, an Early Hellenistic fort or acropolis, perhaps a remnant of Carian domination of the island has been discovered.

The fortification (defensive wall with towers, staircase built into the rock and gate), at the site of Kastri overlooking Emborio, is dated to the time when Kalymnos was ruled by Mausolos, tyrant of Caria (4th century BC). There are also ruins of a Hellenistic city at Damos, with fortification and graves of the 4th century BC. At Pothia there is an ancient sanctuary (temple of Apollo). Both sites perhaps belonged to the ancient council of Pothaea. Six Early Christian basilicas have been excavated: 1) Christ of Jerusalem, near Chorio, the most important, in which building material from the temple of Apollo was used. 2) The Evangelistria or Holy Wisdom (Aghia Sophia), SE of the previous one. 3) Saint John, at Myrties, where there is a chapelof the same name. 4) At Vlychadia, in the chapel of Saint Sideris, with fragments of a mosaic pavement. 5) At Pothia, at the 2nd primary school.