Informations about Nisyros
GEOGRAPHICAL & HISTORICAL OUTLINE
Nisyros lies between Kos and Tilos, a short distance away from the coast of Turkey.
It is a volcanic island, round in shape, with few bays or inlets in the coast and has fertile soil and mineral springs.
The highest peak on Nisyros is the crater (698 meters), a presently inactive volcano.
The island has an area of 41 square kilometers and 28 kilometers of coastline.
It was inhabited in antiquity, when it was called Porfyris.
According to the mythological tradition, it was connected with Kos in primeval times, and was separated from it by Poseidon during a battle with Polyfotis.
The first known inhabitants of the island were Karians followed by Rhodians and Thessalians.
The historical destiny of Nisyros is common with the one of the Southern- Eastern Aegean Sea islands.
The 5th and 4th c. constitute the period of the island’s great prosperity. Nisyros is taken by the Persians, is freed by the Athenians, participates to the Athenian coalition in 479 BC, it passes to the Macedonian occupation to be finally part of the Roman Empire.
The island of Nisyros was conquered by the Knights of Rhodes in 1312, who marked their presence by building five fortresses in the strategic points of the island.
In 1522 the Turks occupied the island and in 1912 the Italians took over and with the end of World War II it was incorporated to Greece.
Informations about Nisyros
GETTING TO NISYROS ISLAND
There are 2 weekly scheduled departures from Piraeus port to Nisyros island, year-round. Distance 202 nautical miles, travel time 14 – 16 hours.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
- Port Authority of Piraeus
Tel: + 30 210 4226000
- Port Authority of Nisyros
Tel: + 30 22420 31222
- Taxi Services
Tel: + 30 22420 31474
- Archaelogical Museum of Nisyros
Mandraki
Tel: + 30 22420 31348
- Volcanological Museum of Nisyros
Nikia
Tel: + 30 22420 31400
- First Aid (Health Center)
Mandraki
Tel: + 30 22420 31217
- Municipality of Nisyros
Tel: + 30 2242360501
Fax: + 30 2242031330
nisyros.gr
- Post Office of Nisyros
Tel: + 30 22420 31249
