Astypalea Island

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A fine spectacle is offered by the vilage of Astypalea (Astipalea) or Hora, beginning from the islets the traveller can admire before reaching the picturesque bay of the city. The wharf is at the south-east extremity.

The beauty of Hora is accented by its white houses surrounding the walls of the Byzantine fortress, on the top of the hill, and descending, so to speak, the slope till the seashore. Being part of the scenery, the old mills on the height complete the imposing panorama.

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Within the area of the Castle fallen in ruins, where still remain, as the only mark of the Guerinis' rule, their blazons, we come across two churches: the older one of St George and the modern one of the Annunciation. The Church of Panaghia Portaitissa or of the Castle, just at the foot of the Castle, is one of the finest in the Dodecanese.

It was built by the holy man Anthimos the Blind in 1764 with the assistance of the old priest Michael. The altar screen carved in wood and overlapped with gold-foil is one of the most beautiful of the kind.

The icon of Virgin Mary is a faithful reproduction of Panaghia Portaitissa of the Convent of Ibers on the Mount Athos. It was the holy man himself who brought it from Mount Athos. The Church holds its feast on the 15th of August. On that day popular rejoicings take place.