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MEETINGREECE
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DODECANESE ISLANDS
Dodecanese or Dodecanisa, in Greek Twelve
Islands, named after the twelve main islands of
the complex. They are situated in the south
eastern Aegean, between the islands of Crete, the
Cyclades, lkaria, Samos and the Asia Minor
seaboard. The islands have a rich history and
many of even the smallest inhabited islands boast
dozens of Byzantine churches and medieval
castles.
T
he twelve main islands (Astypalea, Halki, Kalymnos,
Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos,
Rhodes, Symi, Tilos), together with 150 smaller (i.e.
Agathonisi, Arkoi, Giali, Kastellorizo, Kinaros,
Levitha, Lipsi, Pserimos), of which 26 are inhabited,
constitute the group of islands known as the
Dodecanese. The most popular islands of the Dodecanese are
Rhodes (or Rodos), Kos, Patmos, Kastellorizo and Astypalea
while Halki, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Leros, Nisyros and
Symi are more tranquil.
Dodecanese are described by many as a wonderful blend of
architectural styles of eastern and western cultures. Almost every
island has its Classical remains, its Crusaders Castle, and its
traditional villages. The Dodecanese climate is transitional and
ranges from temperate to a dry tropical climate characterized by
dazzling sunlight and an extended dry summer period that offers
a cosmopolitan atmosphere similar to that of the highland villages
of the mainland.
H I S TOR I C DODECANE S E
The Dodecanese have been inhabited since prehistoric times and
were first ruled by the Minoans. Following the downfall of the
Minoans, the islands were ruled by the Mycenaeans from circa
1400 BC, until the arrival of the Dorians in 1100 BC.
However, their economic and intellectual development began
with the arrival of the Dorians in 1100 BC.
An example of this is the famous ancient Hexapolis (union of six
cities), which consisted of the great cities of Lindos, Kamiros and
Ialissos in Rhodes; Kos; and Knidous and Halicarnassus in Asia
Minor.
Due to their strategic position the islands attracted the most
powerful empires of each period of history. Among them, the
most important conquerors were the Romans, Crusaders, Arabs,
Venetians, Ottomans and Italians. The Dodecanese were
occupied by the Turks from the early 16th Century, an occupation
that ended in 1912 by the colonial ambitions of Italy. The Italians,
especially under Mussolini, tried to reform the cultural
characteristics of the region mainly by discouraging the public
use of the Greek language. The islands were officially united with
Greece in 1948.
Due to the small quantities of agricultural goods (only the large
Dodecanese islands were able to support self-sustained
economies) they mostly relied on the sea as a source of income
from early times. Traditional occupations include farming, animal
farming, fishing, sponge diving and trading due to the
advantaged position of the islands that lie between Europe and
Asia. A source of income - and therefore development for the
poorer islands was the monetary exchange coming from
Kos and Rhodes, strong choices
for demanding meetings!