Astypalaia.
Astypalaia.
THE ISLANDS
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598. Astypalaia, Kastro and Chora (Αστυπάλαια, το κάστρο και η Χώρα)
The three Byzantine transitional, cross-in-square churches
may date from the 10th-11th c., even though there is no written
evidence about the island from that time. Two of the churches
are at Vathy (3) on Mesa Nisi – Saint John Theologos is the
better preserved – while the third church (Saint John Prodro-
mos) is at the Aghios Ioannis site (4) on Exo Nisi. The fortified
settlement nearby, on a neighbouring hill, may be dated to
the same period. Astypalaia suffered pirates’ raids during var-
ious periods in its history and was repeatedly reinhabited by
settlers. During one of those attempts under the feudal lord
(the Venetian Giovanni IV Querini), who was granted his posi-
tion by the duchy of Naxos, was built the fortified settlement
at Chora (1), where settlers from Tinos and Mykonos (1413)
resided. The Kastro stood on a rocky elevation NE of Livadi
and consisted of a defensive ring formed by houses outside
the castle (xokastra), while its interior was densely built up,
featuring many three- or four-storey houses.
