Castellorizo, a Greek gem with Aussie connection in Turkey’s nostrils (pics + vid)

Castellorizo, east of Rhodes, quiet and peaceful, with no more than 200 inhabitants.

Τhe Turks call it Mais, the Arabs call it Mayas, in antiquity it was Megisti, but whatever you call it there’s no denying the beauty of this picturesque Greek island lying in Turkey’s nostrils.

The multi-colored harbor is charming, with the bustle of homes clustered together to give the illusion of crowdedness. The promenade has little cafes, restaurants, shops and crystal-clear water.

Forget sandy beaches though the water around the island is clear and deep. Most people take a sea taxi to Agios Georgios, a swimming spot with a taverna.

The Blue Caves provide a spectacular natural geological phenomenon. Known as Parastas Cave or Fokiali (due to “fokia” – seals found here). Boat trips take travelers to the area when the sea is calm, allowing boats to just pass through the cave mouth. Inside, the 75m long, 40m wide and 40m high walls take on an irridescent blue-green color, giving the grotto a fairy-like atmosphere.

The 14th century castle can be reached via a pathway from the quay. All that remains of the Castle of the Knights are a curtain wall, part of a square tower and the remains of a cylindrical tower at the east corner, as well as another tower towards the sea. There’s a Doric inscirption carved on one of the rocks taht attests to the existence of an earlier fortress there during antiquity.

Paleokastro (old castle) – the island’s acropolis – is west of the town, beyond the summit of the island known as Vigla (270m).

The Byzantine church of Agios Yeorgios on the eastern side of the town was built in 1906 and has a high dome.

The population left the island when the economy fell into decay, accelerated by the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the deportation of Anatolian Greeks in 1923. Many of the inhabitants left to go to Australia (especially in the cities of Perth and Sydney) where they call themselves “Kazzies”.

The “Lady of Ro” isiconic.During the 2nd World War, Despina Achladiotis, decided to reside permanenly on a rocky islet off Kastellorizo known as Ro. She refused to abandon the island even when Germans bombarded Castellorizo, causing many of its inhabitants to emigrate. This brave-hearted woman had raised a Greek flag on the island every morning for forty years. In August 1975, Turks took advantage of Despina’s few days of absence and raised their flag on the island just for a day.

Mediterraneo (1991) was filmed on the island, it also lends its name to David Gilmour’s instumental “Castellorizon” from his album “On an Island” (2006) after he was inspired by the place when he stayed there in the Nineties.