The Great Greek Revolution

After the first uneasy decade of the 19th century, Kalymnos goes through a peaceful period during the second decade. The end of that century though, witnesses the beginning of the Greek Revolution.

Kalymnos had already revolted in the middle of May 1821, when a delegate of 'Filiki Eteria'( the Greek liberation movement ), visited the island. The Kalymnians establish the 'Eforia tou Genous', a committee with no revolutionary character but with the responsibility to oversee the administration and supervise the revenues and the expenses of the island. It wasn't long before this committee raised money for the struggle of our nation.

In the beginning of the year 1824, the Kalymnians' civil dispute becomes more serious. The island is divided into two parties : the oligarchy, which is supported by Venetoulis, Hatzithemelis and others, and the poor, who recognized Mihalis Reisis as their leader. Both parties claim the administration of the island but only the latter succeeds, and Mihalis Reisis is declared as the mayor.

On the 28th August 1824, in the evening, the Greek and the Turkish fleet battled. On the 29th, at dawn, Miaoulis, the Greek admiral, with 22 ships sailed from Lipsos in order to attack the Turkish. Hosref, the Turkish commander, withdrew and reached the coast of Kalymnos. By noon , both fleets had met in between Leros, Kalymnos and the bay of Gerondas. The outcome of this sea battle results in the establishment of freedom for the Greeks. Kalymnos becomes part of Samos when Kapodistrias establishes the sixth administration of the Greek State.

However, the island doesn't remain as part of this state. For a period of 117 years, Kalymnos will not succeed in being considered Greek. Kapodistrias's sixth - and partly fifth - administration will not be included within the boundaries of the Greek State, according to the Protocol on the 3rd February 1830.

Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos and Ikaria will compose an administrative post of the Othomanian Empire and will be called 'Tetranisos' ; new privileges and expansion of the old ones will be granted.