HALKI ISLAND
AN ALIVE CANVAS
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GEOGRAPHY
Halki is one of the smallest islands of the Dodecanese with a total area of 28 sq.km. and coastline 34 km. Located in the southeastern Aegean, Halki has a remarkable location on the map, being just 5 nautical miles west of Rhodes, southeast of Tilos and northeast of the Carpathian Sea. The capital of the island and the only settlement is Imborios or Halki. Moreover, the permanent population of the island is about 500 inhabitants, while in the summer months this number multiplies.
Furthermore, the territory of the island is semi-mountainous and barren. Particularly, highest peaks of Halki are Merovigli (593 m.) And Profitis Elias (578 m.). In addition, the shores are steep and rocky with small sandy beaches and cobbles. To the southeast of the island is the cape Krevati, to the north extends the bay of Imborio, to the northeast there is the cape Limanari and to the northwest the cape Kefalos.
Another key point is that the uninhabited islets of Agios Theodoros (northeast of the island), Alimia (between Halki – Rhodes), Maelonisi (between Alimia – Halki), Tragousa (east of the island) also belong to Halki.
Must be remembered that Halki has been designated by Unesco, with the nickname the island of Peace and Friendship of young people from all over the world, where it welcomes in its hospitable embrace, all those who seek a relaxed and calm vacation.
Finally, thanks to the mines and copper (‘halkos’ in greek) processing workshops that existed on the island in antiquity, Halki was “baptized”.
HISTORY
To begin with, worth mentioning is the fact that the island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In addition, according to mythology, the first inhabitants of Halki were the Titans. Pelasgians, Carians, Dorians and Phoenicians lived successively on the island.
Without a doubt, Halki seems to have been a place of worship of the god Apollo since there are remains of 3 temples in the location of Pefkia.
In historical times the island was subordinate to Kamiros, while later it was part of the Delian Alliance where it was administratively dependent on the Athenians. Then it again becomes part of the administration of Kamiros. In the following centuries it followed the rise and fall of Rhodes.
Subsequently, it is important to realize that the control of the island changed many hands. In particular, the island fell into the hands of the Arabs in the 7th century until 825 when it was liberated. Later, in 1204 the Venetians and the Genoese arrived on the island. Then, in the 14th century the Knights of Rhodes granted it as a fief to the Assanti family from Ischia. Last but not least, in 1523 Halki was conquered by the Ottomans.
Equally important is that Halki takes part in the revolution of 1821. A point often overlooked is that the island reaches a very high level of prosperity in the middle of the 19th century where trade and sponge farming develop. At the same time, schools are established. Unfortunately, the island was occupied by the Italians in 1912, a time when trade and sponge farming were abolished, which began to suffer from the last years of turkish rule.
Nevertheless, finally, during World War II, Halki was glorified thanks to the struggles and sacrifices of important personalities such as Lieutenant Alexandros Diakos and Captain Diogenis Fanourakis. Eventually the island was united with the rest of Greece in 1948.
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ROUTE PLANNER
HOW TO GET THERE
Halki is connected by ferry to Piraeus and the trip lasts 24-30 hours. Ferries depart from Kamiros in Rhodes every day for Halki, lasting 35 minutes. At the same time, the island is directly connected to Rhodes (the main port), Karpathos (Karpathos, Diafani), Kalymnos, Kasos, Kos, Nisyros, Symi, Tilos, Heraklion (Crete), Sitia (Crete), Anafi, Milos, and Santorini.
HOW TO GET AROUND
On the island you can move on foot, by bus, by small boat / boat for routes from beach to beach and by taxi. The island does not offer the possibility of renting a vehicle, and driving inside the settlement is prohibited from May to October.
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