The Creation of Nisyros
According to Greek mythology, during the battle between the Gods and the Giants, Poseidon, while chasing the Giant Polybotes in the Aegean Sea, cut off a piece of the island of Kos with his trident and hurled it at Polybotes, burying him underneath it. This piece of Kos is Nisyros.
A representation of this myth, depicting the creation of Nisyros, is found on the 6th eastern metope of the Parthenon and is displayed in the Acropolis Museum with a special description of the event.
Nisyros
Nisyros is well-known among geologists and nature lovers for its impressive volcano, which continues to make its presence known by emitting steam and gases. The island is also notable for its rich historical journey, lush countryside, and the architecture of its four beautiful, century-old settlements. Most of Nisyros is mountainous, volcanic, and very fertile. It is composed of volcanic rocks, with formations created by past volcanic activities. The base of the island has been formed by a glassy lava flow and breccia rock. The rocks are covered with pyroclastic deposits and volcanic domes.
The Settlements
The settlements are built facing east to protect them from the western winds. The roads are small, paved with stones, curved, and stepped, following the natural terrain. At various points, they create small or large plateaus for conversation or rest.
Mandraki is the largest settlement on the island, home to the port, the Folklore Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Paleokastro, the Venetian Castle with the Church of Panagia Spiliani, the Municipal Thermal Baths, the pebble-paved squares of the Town Hall and Potamos, and the Chochlaki beach for swimming, with its unique sunset.
Palli is a picturesque seaside fishing village with a marina. There, you will find the Hippocratic Baths, the Church of Panagia Thermiani, the sandy beaches of Pachia Ammos and Lies, excellent for swimming, and several tavernas along the sea.
Emporios is a traditional mountainous village with a wonderful view of the volcano, featuring the Castle of Pantoniki, the Church of the Archangels, a natural sauna, the Prophet Elias, and two tavernas serving traditional food in the village square, which is enclosed, embraced by the houses and the church.
Nikia is the second mountainous settlement with distinctive architecture and panoramic views of the volcano. The Porta, a famous elliptical pebble-paved square, the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, the stone-built theater, the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, and the Monastery of Panagia Kira are located near the village.
Activities
Due to its volcanic nature and unique geological and cultural interest, Nisyros offers various activities beyond the scope of mass tourism. Nisyros is an ideal island for alternative forms of tourism such as conference tourism, religious tourism, therapeutic tourism, hiking, diving, gastronomy, and more.
The Volcano
Nisyros is characterized as a dormant active volcano with a beautifully preserved caldera valley measuring 4 km in diameter. It is the youngest of the major volcanic centers in Greece and is included, along with Methana, Milos, and Santorini, among the active volcanoes of our country. The oldest rocks are 160,000 years old, while the newer (prehistoric) ones are 15,000 years old, covering the entire island. The largest crater of the volcano, named “Polyvotis,” has a diameter of 260 meters and a depth of 30 meters. In the area, there are five other more recent craters, the largest of which is “Stefanos,” with a diameter of 30 meters and a depth of 30 meters.
Museums
During your stay on the island, and before or after your acquaintance with Polyvotis, Stefanos, and the other craters, be sure to visit the Volcanological Museum and the permanent Volcanological Observatory in Nikia.
In Mandraki, you will find the Archaeological, Folklore, Ecclesiastical, and Numismatic Museums.
The Paliokastro
Paliokastro is one of the best-preserved fortifications of antiquity in the Aegean. The wall is built on the edge of a low hill above Mandraki, with large blocks of volcanic black stone, using a pseudo-isodomic trapezoidal masonry system on both fronts. Internally, it is filled with rough stones and rubble. The average width of the wall is 3.50-3.80 meters. The surviving length of the wall in the southern part is 230 meters, while in the eastern part it is 80 meters. The wall enclosed the ancient city of Nisyros, which has not yet been excavated. Within the wall, the ruins of an early Christian basilica are preserved.
