KASTELLORIZO TRAVEL GUIDE

KASTELORIZO > HISTORY

HISTORY

Kastelorizo has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The history of this small island is revealed in the important sites to be seen there.

In ancient times it was known as Megisti, which is used even today.

On the island the Mycenian civilization bloomed going by the findings of Mycenian graves brought to light through excavations. The Dorians followed and built the acropolis in Paleokastro, in the west part of the island, parts of which can be seen to this day.

In 530 B.C. Megisti is ruled by Rhodes and follows the same historic route as the capital of the Dodecanese.

The Romans and the Byzantines later conquered the island, while in 1306 the island was in the control of Saint John Knights. The castle, Kastelo Roso, was built then, from which the island was named Kastelorizo.

In 1440 the island was conquered by the Sultan of Egypt.

In 1512 the Turks occupied the island. Their possession lasted until 1912 when the Italians came.

From the end of the 19th until the middle of the 20th century the island bloomed. It had about 15.000 residents during this period.

Kastelorizo was bombed during World War One. It was then that the residents started to emigrate and abandon Kastelorizo. When the island was bombed yet again in World War Two and much destruction was caused even more islanders left.

Kastelorizo officially became part of Greece in 1948, as with all the Dodecanese islands.