Other Islands of the Dodecanese. TELENDOS. Map of Telendos. - History - Opposite to Mirties and Massouri in Kalymnos, there is the imposing mountain of Telendos, 458m. Telendos constitutes an indivisible part of Kalymnos since it belongs to its jurisdiction.The two islands are separated via a 700 m. long channel.The history of Telendos is closely connected to the one of Kalymnos even dating back to the Geometrical Era. According to Herodotus, the first inhabitants of the island were the Pelasgians, the people from Karia and the Leleges who were united in one people. Dorian settlers from Epidauros came to settle in the 11th century in Kos, Nissyros and Kalidna - as Kalymnos was called in the 4th century. Due to its arid ground, ever since antiquity, the inhabitants were obliged to become seamen (and excellent too) and their patron god was Dalios Appollo. From the excavations conduced in several areas in Kalymnos, we are now aware of the seven ancient municipalities of Kalymnos: - PANORMOY. - POTHAION. - ORKATOU. - SKALIODAN. - MESOS. - PERAIOTAS. - AMFIPETRAN. - ANLYNAN OR ALLIMNAN. - EITAN OR IPPASILAN. The most important municipality among the seven was the municipality of Pothaion that at its biggest part is sunk in the area between Mirties - Telendos.Three decrees of the municipality that have been found are kept in the British Museum.It was a densely populated city and very well organised as is deduced from the buildings that have been saved following the disastrous earthquake of 554 BC, possibly - based on an old legend - on Good Friday at the hour of the Epitaph.Consequent1y, Telendos was until then united to the land opposite to it and was not a separate island.The area that has sank is believed to have been the central part of the city, which extended to the south western part of Telendos, with remains from the sunk ancient Roman Theatre, near the church of Aghios Georgios. In the area called «TA MARMARA» (The Marbles), by the locals, and at a depth of 16 fathoms, there are ancient edifices, entire building blocks that are preserved reaching a height of 1,5 to 2 meters. There is also a straight line building that constituted the wall of the city.At the eastern coast of the island, the foundations of a settlement are seen at a depth of only one meter. In the same area, there are big Roman buildings with vault roofs as well as vaulted family graves.The many and magnificent Byzantine Temples indicate the significance of the city. The paleochristianic church of Aghios Vasilios - a huge temple with three naves and capitals of basilica rhythm is built at the first half of the 6th century - is bigger than the contemporary cathedral of Kalymnos. Other churches are: Three naves basilica of the Assumption of the virgin Mary dated back to the second half of the 5th century - beginning of the 6th century, the basilica of Panaghia, of Hellenistic type at the beginning of the 6th century, where the cemetary of the sank city was in the Byzantine years, as well as the contemporary cemetary, the ruins of Aghia Triada, a paleochristianic basilica of the 6th century and final1y at the northern part of Te1endos, the Aghios Konstantinos Monastery with the ruins of its castle.An imposing building complex, with high strong walls provided safety to the inhabitants of the island, since it was inexpugnable by the pirates. In the surrounding area, there are old kilns used for time for the construction of the castle. It is said that 5.000 people could live in the castle for a period of 10 years. This has also been proven by the remains of skeletons and the many water cisterns that have been found. Information: Every year, on May 21st, the name day of Aghios Konstantinos and Aghia Eleni, the inhabitants go up the rough and steep path to reach the church for the mass and for the feast. For the feast, women prepare the leaves (stuffed cabbage leaves), bake bread and other local recipies, and after the end of the mass, they start the feast with laughters, songs and dances (local dance is called «lsos»). On August 14th, at the eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, another important feast takes place, where both locals as well as visitors enjoy a dish called Mouri (stuffed lamb or goat, baked in the oven with wood), Kakavia (sort of Bouillabaisse), touloumotiri (cheese) kopanisti (spread cheese), etc. Imposing and haughty, Telendos, with the form of the Sleeping Princess on its rock, offers unique thrills to the visitor. Its small harbour, with the small tavernas and the traditional room’s to let, is very picturesque. It disposes to uniquely quiet and beautiful beaches. For those who like mountain climbing, there is a climbing field with 4-5 paths.There is also an ecological observatory, of the ornithological association, for Natures' friends. Today's permanent inhabitants, only 25, are mainly invo1ved in fishing, but many of the people who have left the island have become seamen. Every ten minutes, small boats make the trip to and back from Kalymnos.From Piraeus, one can get there with the ferry boat for Kalymnos. Telendos: This island lies about 700 metres off the coast of Kalymnos, of which it was once part.In the earthquake of 554 BC, which according to the historiographer Agathias lasted for 14 days, the ground subsided and the channel of water separating the two islands came into being.On the bed of the sea, important ruïns have been found of the ancient buildings in a large city which has been tentatively identified as Pothaea. The terrain of the island is mountainous, with Rachi (458 m) as the highest peak.The harbour of Telendos is small and quiet, and the visitor will find tavernas, cafes and ± 150 rooms to rent.On the island are the remains of a Roman town, a castle, and the medieval monastery of St Basil.Behind the town - to the west - is a sandy beach. Telendos has 8 restaurants and tavernas, 1 traditional coffee shop, 1 bar and 2 mini markets. You can also find Greek jewels, 2 souvenir shops, handmade Greek rags and decorating art. Text from Davaris Publications. - Greek Islands: DODECANESE.
Opposite to Mirties and Massouri in Kalymnos, there is the imposing mountain of Telendos, 458m. Telendos constitutes an indivisible part of Kalymnos since it belongs to its jurisdiction.The two islands are separated via a 700 m. long channel.The history of Telendos is closely connected to the one of Kalymnos even dating back to the Geometrical Era. According to Herodotus, the first inhabitants of the island were the Pelasgians, the people from Karia and the Leleges who were united in one people. Dorian settlers from Epidauros came to settle in the 11th century in Kos, Nissyros and Kalidna - as Kalymnos was called in the 4th century. Due to its arid ground, ever since antiquity, the inhabitants were obliged to become seamen (and excellent too) and their patron god was Dalios Appollo. From the excavations conduced in several areas in Kalymnos, we are now aware of the seven ancient municipalities of Kalymnos:
- PANORMOY. - POTHAION. - ORKATOU. - SKALIODAN. - MESOS. - PERAIOTAS. - AMFIPETRAN. - ANLYNAN OR ALLIMNAN. - EITAN OR IPPASILAN.
The most important municipality among the seven was the municipality of Pothaion that at its biggest part is sunk in the area between Mirties - Telendos.Three decrees of the municipality that have been found are kept in the British Museum.It was a densely populated city and very well organised as is deduced from the buildings that have been saved following the disastrous earthquake of 554 BC, possibly - based on an old legend - on Good Friday at the hour of the Epitaph.Consequent1y, Telendos was until then united to the land opposite to it and was not a separate island.The area that has sank is believed to have been the central part of the city, which extended to the south western part of Telendos, with remains from the sunk ancient Roman Theatre, near the church of Aghios Georgios. In the area called «TA MARMARA» (The Marbles), by the locals, and at a depth of 16 fathoms, there are ancient edifices, entire building blocks that are preserved reaching a height of 1,5 to 2 meters. There is also a straight line building that constituted the wall of the city.At the eastern coast of the island, the foundations of a settlement are seen at a depth of only one meter. In the same area, there are big Roman buildings with vault roofs as well as vaulted family graves.The many and magnificent Byzantine Temples indicate the significance of the city.
The paleochristianic church of Aghios Vasilios - a huge temple with three naves and capitals of basilica rhythm is built at the first half of the 6th century - is bigger than the contemporary cathedral of Kalymnos. Other churches are: Three naves basilica of the Assumption of the virgin Mary dated back to the second half of the 5th century - beginning of the 6th century, the basilica of Panaghia, of Hellenistic type at the beginning of the 6th century, where the cemetary of the sank city was in the Byzantine years, as well as the contemporary cemetary, the ruins of Aghia Triada, a paleochristianic basilica of the 6th century and final1y at the northern part of Te1endos, the Aghios Konstantinos Monastery with the ruins of its castle.An imposing building complex, with high strong walls provided safety to the inhabitants of the island, since it was inexpugnable by the pirates. In the surrounding area, there are old kilns used for time for the construction of the castle. It is said that 5.000 people could live in the castle for a period of 10 years. This has also been proven by the remains of skeletons and the many water cisterns that have been found.
Every year, on May 21st, the name day of Aghios Konstantinos and Aghia Eleni, the inhabitants go up the rough and steep path to reach the church for the mass and for the feast. For the feast, women prepare the leaves (stuffed cabbage leaves), bake bread and other local recipies, and after the end of the mass, they start the feast with laughters, songs and dances (local dance is called «lsos»). On August 14th, at the eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, another important feast takes place, where both locals as well as visitors enjoy a dish called Mouri (stuffed lamb or goat, baked in the oven with wood), Kakavia (sort of Bouillabaisse), touloumotiri (cheese) kopanisti (spread cheese), etc. Imposing and haughty, Telendos, with the form of the Sleeping Princess on its rock, offers unique thrills to the visitor. Its small harbour, with the small tavernas and the traditional room’s to let, is very picturesque. It disposes to uniquely quiet and beautiful beaches. For those who like mountain climbing, there is a climbing field with 4-5 paths.There is also an ecological observatory, of the ornithological association, for Natures' friends. Today's permanent inhabitants, only 25, are mainly invo1ved in fishing, but many of the people who have left the island have become seamen.
Every ten minutes, small boats make the trip to and back from Kalymnos.From Piraeus, one can get there with the ferry boat for Kalymnos.
Telendos: This island lies about 700 metres off the coast of Kalymnos, of which it was once part.In the earthquake of 554 BC, which according to the historiographer Agathias lasted for 14 days, the ground subsided and the channel of water separating the two islands came into being.On the bed of the sea, important ruïns have been found of the ancient buildings in a large city which has been tentatively identified as Pothaea. The terrain of the island is mountainous, with Rachi (458 m) as the highest peak.The harbour of Telendos is small and quiet, and the visitor will find tavernas, cafes and ± 150 rooms to rent.On the island are the remains of a Roman town, a castle, and the medieval monastery of St Basil.Behind the town - to the west - is a sandy beach.
Telendos has 8 restaurants and tavernas, 1 traditional coffee shop, 1 bar and 2 mini markets. You can also find Greek jewels, 2 souvenir shops, handmade Greek rags and decorating art.
