Nissyros: The island is almost circular. There is the caldera of
an extinct vulcano, which diameter is 4 km, in the interior. The vulcanic
activity is only just dormant, since there are hot sulphurous springs still
rising from the earth. On the hill above the village Mandraki (with about
800 inhabitants) is the ancient Acropolis (relatively well preserved walls)
and the ruins of a castle of the Knights. Near by is the subterranean Monastery
Panagia Spilani (1600) with a valuable library.
Kalymnos: The island is now as in ancient times known for the fishing
and marketing of sponges. The earliest inhabitants were probably Carians;
later -around 1100 B.C.- Kalymnos was colonized by Dorians. In antiquity
its fortunes tended to follow those of Kos and later it underwent the usual
Byzantine, Venetian, Rodian, Turkish and Italian periods. In 1947 it reverted
to Greece. Kalymnos town with 9400 inhabitants is the capital of
the island and was founded in 1850. the church of Ag. Hristos is the most
beautiful Neobyzantine church of the town. To the west is a hill with ruined
Castle of the Knights. Horio is the former capital of the island,
built below the castle (9th century), which served as an refuge in Middle
Ages. Kefalas, the cave, which can be reached by boat only, was
a sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Telendos is the island close to the
western shore with the ruins of the monastery of Agia Vassileos dominated
by a medieval castle. Vathis is a small village at the east coast
with a fjord like inlet.
