Chora or Chorio

Μετάφραση Greek Version

Chora or Chorio

Chora or Chorio is located 3 km northwest of Pothia and for many centuries was the capital of the island. Nowadays, the two villages are practically united and the one village is actually the extension of the other. It was built in a valley away from the sea due to the fear of the pirates that were looting the Aegean at that time.

In the surrounding area are some of the major Kalymnos' monuments and sights. The most important is Pera Kastro, or Castle of Chrisocheria, or Chora Castle, built in Byzantine times by the Knights of the Order of Agios Ioannis (St. John). The castle dominates the hilltop of a steep rock and it offers great views. In Chora there are also scattered many churches and monasteries. It is worth visiting the church of Panagia Kecharitomeni with the gilded iconostasis. The church was the first metropolis of Kalymnos. Other churches with particular architectural and historical interest are the churches of Christ of Jerusalem and Agia Sophia (or Evangelistria), erected with materials from the ruins of the ancient temple of Delius Apollo.