Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

The maze-like old capital
of Astypálea, with the
kastró lit up above

Livádia, the main settlement, gateway and stone from the Ioánnis Theológos, with
has a tree-fringed pebble ancient acropolis. The town’s appealing 16th- and 17th-
beach sweeping round its bay, Palaeontological Museum has century frescoes.
with the picturesque blue and the fossilized bones of minia- West of Megálo Horió is the
white church of Agios Nikólaos ture elephants found in the little fishing village of Ágios
dominating the waterfront. Harkadió cave across the Andónios, with at least one
Built on the site of the valley from Megálo Horió; the taverna open in summer. For
ancient city of Telos, Megálo castle of Messariá above it those who wish to swim, Pláka
Horió is 8 km (5 miles) uphill marks the spot. beach, 2 km (1 mile) west, is
from Livádia, and is reached The most interesting, and an ideal spot.
by bus. Its kástro was built by likely to be open, of several High above on the west
the Knights of St John, who medieval churches in and coast, the Byzantine Moní
incorporated a Classical around Megálo Horió is Ágios Agíou Pandelímonos is the
island’s main attraction. Set in
a spring-fed oasis, this forti-
fied monastery is famous for
its sunset views. Founded in
STAY 1470 it has circular chapels, a
pebble-mosaic courtyard and
medieval monks’ cells. The
Ilidi Rock Aretanassa Hotel dome of the church has a
This hillside apart-hotel is Hotel in a historic former version of Christ Pandokrátor
the poshest on the island. sponge-factory. (1776) by Gregory of Sými,
⌂ Livádia, Tílos ⌂ Emborió quay, Hálki who also executed the Holy
∑ ilidirock.gr ∑ aretanassa-hotel.gr Trinity in the apse, a carved
témblon (icon screen) that
¡¡¡ ¡¡¡
dates from 1714.
Mikró Horió, below the
Kilindra Studios Nefeli castle at Messariá, has 220
The island’s first, and still A comfortable bungalow roofless abandoned houses.
the best, boutique lodging. hotel with cheerful decor.
Those residents who had
⌂ Southwest slope ⌂ Behind Kámbos stone roofs took them to
of Hóra, Astypálea beach, Lipsí Livádia when the population
∑ astipalea.com.gr ∑ lipsinefelihotel.com abandoned the village in the
¡¡¡ ¡¡¡ 1950s. Quiet during the day, at
night the ruins are illumi-
nated. One house has been
restored as a summer bar.
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