Overview
The island of Kalymnos is south east of Athens and one of the group of islands known as the Dodecanese. It has around 16,000 inhabitants many of which live in the capital of Pothia. The island of Kalymnos is also known as the sponge fisher'
s island. It is a very mountainous island, with impressive rocky crags and an abundance of aromatic plants. Sage, Thyme and Oregano fragrant the mountain sides.
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Nightlife
As the evening approaches, the island of Kalymnos becomes one of the most romantic places in Greece, with the added pleasure of fantastic sunsets.
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The Capital
The Capital of the island of Kalymnos is Pothia, built like an amphitheatre around the spacious port with many facilities for small and large vessels.
With a total of around 17,000 inhabitants (mainly living in Pothia), the island is the third most populated island of the Dodecanese and is the wealthiest island among the Dodecanese and one of the wealthiest in the whole of the Greek Islands.
The main population live in town during the winter, and during the summer months migrate to the various holiday resorts around the island.
The industry of the sponge diving has fallen, having suffered from a disease back in 1986. Therefore the late introduction of tourism has helped the island and islanders even though Kalymnos is still not crowded even in high season. With the beautiful landscape and beaches, the island charms all its visitors.
The island of Kalymnos is surround by a number of smaller islands, Pserimos and Telendos and the only two which are inhabited.
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Produce
Most of the land is barren and therefore agriculture plays a small role in the economy of the island of Kalymnos, except for the valley of Vathi. The island is very famous for its citrus fruits.
The soil of the island if mainly of limestone and in the valleys there can be found the remains of tufa from an ancient volcano
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Kalymnos Villages
The island of Kalymnos constitutes of several places such as Pothia, a small town, Chorio, Resorts and villages like: Vathy, Brosta, Myrties, Masouri, Arginonda, Skalia, Tichous, Emborios, Argos and Bothinous.
Vathy and Brosta are villages where the locals used to cultivate the famous citrus fruits of the island. This is only the case now in Vathy. Brosta is actually more of an area which is formed by the villages of Myrties, Masouri, Telendos, Arginonda, Skalia, Tihous and Emborios - there are only 600 residents. On the whole, Kalymnos along with Pserimos, has a population of over 12,000 people today.
It is also worth also mentioning the small island of Plati (between Kalymnos and Pserimos) which has been recently inhabited by a Kalymnian and his Italian wife.
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Past Industry
The island of Kalymnos owed its past wealth mainly trading and the building of boats but the main industry of the island was sponge fishing. The island was the main centre of production in the Aegean.
Another industry was the production of painted head scarves, which were the most prominent part of the ladies dress wear.
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Caves
In the south-western part of the island of Kalymnos, are the cave of Kefala or Trypa, (trypa meaning 'hole') with its stalactites and stalagmites.
There are also the caves of the Seven Virgins or 'Cavern of the Nymphs' at the foot of mount Flaska.
The cave of Therma has radioactive springs which are said to be recommended for many illnesses.
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Mountains
The surface of Kalymnos is rocky with several mountains, the highest of which is Prophetes Helias ( 676 m ). Kyria - Psili ( 620 m ), Galatiani ( 590 m ) and Merovigli ( 550 m ) are the rest. Most of them are ideal for climbing.
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Sponge Diving
Life and culture of Kalymnos has always been connected to the sponge fishing and thats why Kalymnos was named The sponge-divers island.
The sponge diving has been a wealth producing source that not only gave the island vigour, it also made the Kalymnians travel around the Mediterranean to obtain information and cultures, to return to their island full of this knowledge.
The locals of Kalymnos fished sponges in the waters of the Aegean Sea by using traditional ways using the harpoon.
The first sponge-divers didnt have a uniform or any technician support; they dived in the sea naked and depended on their breathing
The sponge divers then freighted ships from Leros and Samos to transport their sponges to the Eastern Mediterranean.
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