Kalimnos
mountainous Greek island in the Aegean Sea, part of the Dodecanese
group, 42 square miles (111 square km) in area. The capital, Kalimnos
(Pothia), located at the head of an inlet inthe southeast, is
the chief port and a prominent Aegean commercial centre with the
bulk of the island's population.  As
in classical times, sponge fishing remains the chief industry,
with the sponge fleet away to the North African coast for up to
six months each year after Easter. Toward the centre of the island,
the volcanic valley of Vathys, irrigated from springs, supports
citrus, olives, figs, and vines. The island is the seat of a metropolitan
bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Believed to have been settled by a Dorian colony from Epidaurus
in the Peloponnese, the island coined its own money and took part
in the first and second Athenian leagues (5th and 4th centuries
BC). As a Persian satrapy, it was conquered in 332 by the Macedonian
forces of Alexander the Great and was later annexed by Rome to
the province of Asia. Until AD 1310 it was occupied by Venetians,
who then gave way to the Knights of Rhodes (the future Knights
of Malta). In 1522 it was captured with the other islands of the
Dodecanese by the Turks, and in 1912 it was occupied by Italy.The
people of Kalimnos resisted Italianization, and during World War
II many fled to Turkey. The necropolis of Damos and more than
100 ancient Greek inscriptions are among the antiquities found
or excavated on the island.Kalymnos or Pothia, the island's capital,
is amphitheatrically built, and descends to the portlike a multicoloured
torrent of bright houses, churches and belfries. On the coast
lies the church of Jesus Our Saviour; its interior is decorated
with murals and old icons painted by local artists. The temple
has been constructed by Giannoulis Halepas, the famous Greek sculptor.
With the city as a base you can visit the wonderful countryside
and villages.
 In
the southwestern part of the island you can find the cave of Kefala
(or Trypa), with its stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the
caves of the Seven Virgins (or Cavern of the Nymphs) at the foot
of mount Flaska. In the SW of the island you will find the cave
of Scalia the Therma -radioactive springs (about 1 km south to
the city) are recommended for the cure of many illnesses.
Therma is equipped with modern bathing facilities, specialised
personnel and rooms for visitors. Horio, the old capital of the
island, is built at the foot of the medieval castle. Around Horio
the remain ruins of the church of Jesus of Jerusalem , built towards
the end of the 4th century AD, can be found.To the southwest are
the monasteries of the Evangelist and St Catherine, both equipped
with hostels for visitors. On the 27th of July, the island celebrates
the feast of St Panteleimon with parties, folk dances and songs.
Along the island's western coast there are many places beauty
- Linaria and the villages Myrties, and Masouri. With it's tiny
bays and surrounding islands, Kalymnos is ideal for amateur fishermen,
and its transparent seas are ideal for scuba-diving enthusiasts.
Visitors of Kalymnos also have the chance to taste traditional
local dishes: "lei", "mirmizeli", "psises".
From Kalymnos youcan easily visit the nearby tiny islands of Telendos
and Pserimos, which offer idyllic sites for swimming and fishing.
For those cruising theGreek islands yacht refueling stations can
be found in Kalymnos.The most beautiful beaches are on the west
coast of the island and includes Panormos, Kantouni, Linaria and
Plati Gialo. Other beaches on the west coast are Mirties, Masouri,
the gulf of Arginonta and Emborios.On the east coast of the island
there are beaches in Ormo Akri and at the harbor of Bathi. For
night entairtenment in Pothia there are bouzoukia, discos, bars
and a cinema.Restaurants, taverns, discos and bars are also available
in Masouri and Mirties.Pop. (1991 prelim.) island, 16,407.
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