Informations about Karpathos
Geographical & Historical Outline
Karpathos is the second largest of Dodecanese islands after Rhodes, with an area of 301 square kilometers and 160 kilometers of coastline.
It lies 30 nautical miles to the south-west of Rhodes.
It has a mountainous terrain and fairly indented coasts.
The corrosion of the rocks by the sea has cut off the islet of Saria in the north of the island, which now is separated from Karpathos by a narrow channel.
Traces of human life have been found on the island from the end of Neolithic Era.
The first inhabitants came in Karpathos from Asia Minor.
The primitive Neolithic civilization continued to the 3rd millennium, but around 2.000 BC. Minoan colonists from Crete brought economic and cultural development to the island.
In ancient times the island had four important cities that came under control of first the Athenians and then the Spartans.
The major city of those times was apparently Karpathos which was possibly situated in the area of Aperi.
The other three cities were Arkesia, near the village of Arkasa, Vrykous, (which today is called Vroukounta, in the northwest of Karpathos) and Nisiros which possibly was situated on the island of Saria.
This islet in ancient times was an independent island and was called Saros.
During Roman times, it was part of the Roman province whose capital was Rhodes.
After the dismemberment of the Byzantine Empire by the Franks, it formed part of the principate of Leon Gavalas.
In 1821 Karpathos took part in the Greek revolution of independence against the Turks.
It was captured by the Turks and finally by the Italians.
Karpathos was incorporated to the Greek State in 1948 together with all the islands of the Dodecanese.
Its inhabitants reverently preserve the traditions and customs of their land.
Informations about Karpathos
HOW TO GET THERE
By Airplane from Athens
By Ferry Boat from Piraeus port.
Distance 242 nautical miles.
Karpathos has connections with Kassos, Rhodes, Chalki and Crete.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
- Athens International Airport
“Eleftherios Venizelos”
Tel: + 30 210 3530000
- Airport of Karpathos
Tel: + 30 22450 91120
Tel: + 30 22450 22305
- KTEL Buses Station Karpathos
Pigadia
Tel: + 30 22450 22338
Fax: + 30 22450 22206
- Taxi Station
Tel: + 30 22450 22705
- Port Authority of Karpathos
Tel: + 30 22450 22227
- Port Authority of Diafani Karpathos
Tel: + 30 22450 51227
- Port Authority of Piraeus
Tel: + 30 210 4226000
Tel: + 30 2132147600
- Karpathos Hoteliers Association
Tel: + 30 22450 22483
- Municipality of Karpathos
Tel: + 30 22450 60128
Fax: + 30 22450 22556
karpathos.gr
- Post Office of Karpathos
Pigadia
Tel: + 30 22450 22219
- Tourist Police of Karpathos
Tel: + 30 22450 22212
- Arkasa Clinic | Health Center
Tel: + 30 22450 61224
- Health Center of Karpathos
Tel: + 30 22450 22228
- Olympos Karpathos Health Center
Tel: + 30 22450 51201
