HALKI, THE ISLAND OF SILENCE

Halki, a wild and beautiful island, stands out for its splendid beaches with crystal clear waters. Although it is very close to the cosmopolitan island of Rhodes , it maintains an enviable tranquility. In its main port, the towering towers of its two main Churches rise above, dressed in elegance and simplicity, showing a typical architectural style of a Greek island.

At the top of the “Old Town” port, the white walls of its ancient Acropolis and the walls of a medieval castle stand out. Among the ruins of these buildings, there is nothing that suggests the existence of life, nothing moves; everything is submerged in absolute silence, except perhaps the recently whitewashed church of the Virgin, which is in the middle of this world of silence remembering other times.

Halki and his story

The island owes its name to the copper mines that were on the island. We do not have sufficient data on prehistoric times, on the contrary, the excavations carried out on the island revealed that between the 10th and 5th centuries BC. C., the island went through several stages of boom. From the end of the Classical Age to the 13th century AD. When the Venetians arrived on the island, Halki went through a long period of decline. In 1522 the island was conquered by the Turks and in 1912 by the Italians. Halki joined Greece in 1948.

Knowing the island

Nimporio is the capital of the island which is located on the eastern coast, in a bay protected by an islet that is right at its entrance. The town is built in the form of an amphitheater and extends over the slopes of the hill, most of its houses are abandoned. Nimporio stands out for its beautiful tower of the San Nicolas Church.

Very close to Nimporio is the beautiful beach of Pontamos, a place of fine sand. Other beaches are Flenagia and Alimia. Places to enjoy quiet baths in the middle of unspoiled nature.

Pueblo Antiguo was the capital of the island. At the top of the hill the Venetian castle walls are dazzling. Inside is the church of San Nicolas, with some frescoes on its walls that are worth observing.

In Halki there is the monastery of San Juan and the monasteries Cruz and Arcángel Miguel.

Halki, however small, makes a big impression. It’s obvious from the moment you look at the beautiful harbor (and only settlement) on the smallest island in the Dodecanese , Nimporio. The absence of vehicles, the serenity and the romantic atmosphere captivate you.

Everything moves at a relaxed pace, marked by the laid-back attitude of the locals. You will enjoy walks through the cobbled alleys, between stately houses and restored houses, colored with all the palette of a painter; immerse yourself in clear waters; take some time to enjoy the typical Greek drink the Ouzo in the middle of a game of Backgammon and savoring the traditional food. Its inhabitants stand out for their innate goodness, respect for their island and love for slow and silent life

 

by Abdullah Sam
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