Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

The ruined pirate
stronghold of Feraklós
looming over Charáki

icon in the chapel was found the village’s patron saints, monastery was hidden well
by an infertile couple, who features a tiered bell tower inland to escape the attention
later conceived a child. The and pebble-mosaic courtyard. of marauding pirates. Legend
chapel subsequently became Above the town sits a ruined has it that the monastery was
a place of pilgrimage for Crusader castle, built by Grand built by a Byzantine princess,
childless women to come to Master Giovanni Battista Orsini who had been kidnapped by
pray to the icon of the Virgin. in 1467 as part of the Knights’ pirates; the Archangel Michael,
They also pledge to call their defences against the invading now patron of Thárri, came to
child Tsambika for a girl or Ottomans. To the east lies her in a dream promising
Tsambíkos for a boy, names the bay of Stegná, a low-key deliverance, and in gratitude
unique to the Dodecanese. resort with an average sandy she founded the monastery
Below the monastery lies beach, but striking scenery upon her ransom.
Tsambíka beach, a superb and good tavernas. The nave, apse and dome of
stretch of sand that becomes Driving south towards the main church are covered
very crowded in the tourist Malóna, there are more, denser with frescoes. In the transept
season. Various watersports citrus groves and, closer to the are the most distinct frescoes,
are practised in the gentle sea, Feraklós castle. Now a of the Evangelists Mark and
water. The closest tavernas lie ruin, it was built on the site of Matthew, plus the Archangel
2 km (1 miles) inland along an ancient acropolis. The Gabriel in an Annunciation. In
the access road. fortress has fantastic views the nave are scenes from the
over Agathi Bay and Charáki, life of Christ, such as the Storm
once Malóna’s port but now a on the Sea of Galilee, Meeting
9 low-key resort hugging a bay with the Samaritan Woman and
Healing the Cripple. The mon-
with a pebble beach and a
Arhángelos taverna-lined promenade. as tery offers accommodation,
Αρχάγγελος albeit quite basic, for visitors.
⌂ 33 km (20 miles) S
of Rhodes town @ 0 HIDDEN GEM
The Rhodes’s largest village, Moní Thárri Panagía
Arhángelos lies in the Valley of Μονή Θάρρι Katholikí
Éthona, which is renowned for Just off the main road
its oranges. The town itself is ⌂ 40 km (25 miles) S from Afándou village,
long famous for its colourful of Rhodes town @ To the 16th-century
pottery, produced using time- Laérma, then walk # Daily Panagía Katholikí has
honoured methods and From the inland resort of votsalotó (pebble
featuring traditional Rhodian Lárdos follow signs, or catch mosaic) flooring and
motifs. Only two workshops the bus, to Láerma, which is frescoes including
remain active, with sales just north of Moní Thárri, a Panagía enthroned,
outlets on the main highway. famous for its 14th- to 15th- attended by angels and
In the centre, the church of century frescoes. Reached by a row of seated saints.
Arhángeli Mihaïl and Gavriïl, walking through a forest, the
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