Chalki, the island of Peace and Friendship of the Youth of the whole world, as it has been characterized by Unesco, welcomes into its hospitable embrace all those who seek peaceful and relaxing holidays. The unique settlement of the island, Chalki or Nimborio, is built amphitheatrically around the sheltered harbor, with the two islets of Nisos and Krevvatia standing protectively at the opening of the harbor, as its sleepless guards, facing the uniform stone two- and three-story stone-built houses with balconies, colorful windows and doors and tiled roofs. The settlement has been characterized as traditional and exudes an indescribable nobility, at the same time with a sense of melancholy, as one realizes how many of these beautiful residences are today abandoned. But they stand there, always proud, with their backs resting as if on the bare hills that surround the small town, giving it grandeur and charming mystery.
Pelasgians, Carians, Dorians and Phoenicians inhabited the island, which owes its name to the copper mines that operated here during the Middle Ages. In general, historical evidence for Chalki is scarce. In ancient times, the island was divided into 30 municipalities and followed the historical course of Rhodes, with which it was linked from a very early age. The ruins of three temples of Apollo, which have been preserved on the island, attest to the worship of the god in ancient times, a time when Chalki was famous mainly for its sponge fishing. In the 14th century, the Knights of Rhodes granted the island, as a fiefdom, to the Assanti family, who also built their Castle on the ruins of the ancient walled acropolis. Lower down, at the location of Trachia, remains of a settlement, probably prehistoric, have been identified, as well as classical and Hellenistic retaining walls.
From the mid-19th century, Turkish-occupied Halki reached the height of its prosperity. Together with Symi, Kalymnos and Kastellorizo, trade and sponge fishing developed and the educational and economic level of the population rose sharply. Unfortunately, however, in the last years of the Turkish occupation and during the Italian occupation, the privileges were abolished, trade and sponge fishing suffered and the hemorrhage of immigration began. Halki was united with Greece -at the same time as the rest of the Dodecanese- in 1948.
Walking through the picturesque streets of the small town, do not forget to look for the neoclassical building of the Town Hall, from the 19th century, as well as the stone clock tower, which stands next to it, tall and proud. In the church of the patron saint Agios Nikolaos, built in 1861, you will admire the hagiographies and the rare wood-carved iconostasis. The impressive church stands out for the beautiful pebbled floor of its courtyard, as well as for the magnificent bell tower, the highest bell tower in the Dodecanese, in the construction of which marbles from the ancient temple of Apollo were used.
A 2,5-kilometer road, which you can easily cover on foot, taking a slow and enjoyable stroll, will bring you to the old capital of Chalki, Chorio, with its old stone houses built amphitheatrically around the hill of Kastro. 4.000 people lived here, far from the sea for fear of corsairs and pirates, as on almost all Greek islands. However, when this fear disappeared, around 1850 - 1870, the inhabitants of Chorio founded the seaside Nimborion and gradually abandoned their original birthplace - the latter left in 1970 -, which is now deserted. At the top of the hill, above the Village, dominates the Castle of the Knights, built on the foundations of an older, probably Hellenistic wall, with a view that literally takes your breath away, as it reaches as far as neighboring Rhodes.
Many churches and monasteries enrich the list of attractions of Halki, which is completed by the Kamenos Spilios, at the location of Amiglai. There, in 1658, Morosini exterminated the inhabitants hidden in the cave, setting fire to its mouth. The current inhabitants of the island, approximately 300, are mainly engaged in tourism, which developed significantly after 1983, when infrastructure projects were created, as the island was declared a place of World Friendship and Peace for Youth.
The neighboring islet of Alimia or Alimnia
The small island, between Chalki and Rhodes, which in ancient times was called Evlimia, has a large natural harbor, which served as a shelter - base during World War II. The island has been inhabited throughout time, since the Neolithic period, as evidenced by archaeological findings. A Neolithic settlement has been identified, while the large quantities of obsidian from Nisyros and Milos, which have been found in various parts of the island, also date from the same period. The Castle, built on the island by the Knights of St. John in 1475, is an important archaeological site, where the building remains of a walled settlement from the Hellenistic and Roman periods can be distinguished. Remains of the same period are also identified in the harbor of Agios Georgios. In Agios Georgios and Emporio, over 20 new houses are visible, while remains of Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian buildings in the Emporio area indicate the existence of an extensive ancient settlement in the area. The village of Alimia is located in the largest bay of the island and has many houses, most of which were destroyed after the island was abandoned by its inhabitants in the 1960s. This village was designated a protected settlement in 1978.
Halki flavors
“There is no better way to eat than in a big way,” we often say, and little Chalki comes to confirm it solemnly. The variety of local flavors is inexhaustible, with the top choice being “ofto,” the Easter goat or lamb, which is stuffed with rice and liver and baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Among the seafood, we highlight the puffers and the kolios, the exquisite kakavia, the fried “germanos” and the salted emeralds, while among the local cheeses, we choose mizithra (sweet or savory) and “axevotyriasto.” The handmade pasta of Chalki is also famous, such as “koulia,” which is shaped like a shell, and “makarounia,” which is cut into thin slices and cooked a few hours later, to prevent them from drying out. They are served with cheese and a sauce of onions roasted in butter. Divine taste with such simple ingredients. Another type of pasta is the "koulouria", which is cooked either with fresh tomato or with lentils. Lentils are the star of another local dish, the "fakoryzo", which includes roasted lentils, rice and onion. Finally, to complete your delicious wandering in Halki, look for the famous Halki shrimp, xerotigana, yeast-raised loukoumades drizzled with the wonderful local honey and figs stuffed with sesame.
Beaches
- Ftenagia is the closest beach to Nimborion, accessible either on foot via the path that starts from the chapel of Agia Aikaterini or by car from the road that passes under the island's windmills.
- Pontamos, the only sandy beach on the island with plenty of greenery and wonderful crystal clear waters. Here is the chapel of Agia Thekla, which overlooks the summer crowds from above.
- The small but beautiful beach in Kania, accessible on foot or by vehicle, enjoys a unique view of the islet of Alimia and neighboring Rhodes and equally magnificent sunrises.
