Kalymnos or Calymnos is a mountainous island in the Dodecanese, in the Aegean Sea. It is 12 km north of Kos Island, 2 km south of Leros and near Turkey. It is an island spared from mass tourism with locals with a sense of hospitality. Kalymnos is an island of 110,581 km2, the fourth largest in the Dodecanese by its size, similar in geographical form to Great Britain (or comparable to that of a scorpion).
It is a limestone island, but it has in the center a valley composed of volcanic tuff, vestige of an ancient volcanic past. The highest point is Panagia Kyrapaili with its chapel at 608 meters above sea level.
The island of Kalymnos owes its fame to its fishermen and sponges, known throughout the world for 500 years. Today there is no more sponge in Greece and the island lives mainly from tourism. Some villages remained authentic, like Vathy.
According to mythology, Kalymnos would have got his name from Titan Kalydnos, who was the son of Gaia (‘Earth’) and Uranus (‘Heaven’). It appears that one can see his legs raising his head: two plains on either side of a mountain.
Pothia is the capital and port of Kalymnos. A densely populated area built in the early 1850s. The neoclassical houses are brightly colored and built in amphitheatres and on the water’s edge one can see the imposing Metropolitan Church of the Christ Our Savior whose interior is decorated with frescoes and old Icons. In the archaeological museum and Kalymnos located in the city, there are a large number of sculptures, tools, pottery, weapons and marble pieces date from prehistory and the Classical period. You will also find the Nautical Museum of Kalymnos, near the port of Pothia, where ancient sponge workshops are on display, as well as a collection of folk objects.
In Chora or Chorio, the ancient capital of the island for several centuries, you can see the Paleochora Castle built in the 11th century by the Byzantines and then occupied by the knights of Saint John from the 14th century. This fortress could accommodate a thousand inhabitants at the time of piracy. Today Chora or Chorio is an extension of Pothia. Chora was built on a valley, far from the sea, due to pirate attacks. It is a place that preserves its traditions.
The west coast of the island is dotted with seaside resorts. Those of Myrties and Massouri offer the most beautiful beaches of the island. The road stops at the village of Emborios, in the north, whose large quiet beaches contribute to the relaxed atmosphere.
Telendos is a small rocky island separated by an inlet of 800 meters west of Kalymnos. It has 90 inhabitants and is accessible by boat. There is a beautiful beach and the quiet of a picturesque little island. There are three other islets, Pserimos, Plati Pserimou and Kalolimnos.