Nisyros

This small island of Dodecanese with its unforgettable beauties has been left untouched by tourist development. It has remained unchanged in time, giving the feeling of an island of the 70s. Traditional villages and cafes, cobbled streets and pebble decorations in the courtyards give the picturesque views of the settlement. The feast of Panagia Spiliani on the 15th of August is the most famous custom of the island for which both locals and visitors gather together.

Nisyros is suitable for hiking, especially on the paths connecting the capital and the interior of the island. Best time for hiking is in the spring.

The volcano of Nisyros is active. The first underwater explosions took place 150,000 years ago, while the main activity occurred 40 to 10 thousand years ago. Hydrothermal explosions occur today. Nisyros consists of volcanic mountains, while the center of the island occupies a caldera with a diameter of 4 km, from the bottom to the surface of which is found sulfur. Inside the caldera is the largest hydrothermal crater in the world, Stephanos, which has a diameter of 300 meters, while in total Nisyros has 5 craters. Because of the volcanic activity in Nisyros there are hot springs with a temperature of 30 to 60 ° C.

According to Greek mythology, during the Gigantomachy, the war between the Gods and the Giants, God of the Sea Neptune pursued the giant Polyboti, who got horrified and crossed the Aegean to be saved. Poseidon took him to Kos. He cut off with his trident a piece of Kos and hurled it to the Giant Polyvoti, sinking him forever into the sea. The legendary rock is today's island of Nisyros and the eruptions of the volcano, the angry breath of the defeated Giant.

The great spirituality and religiosity of the island are testified by the numerous temples of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period. There are also innumerable monasteries, chapels and the artworks of religious art, such as Byzantine icons, hagiographies, wood carved temple, and stone sculpture.