Traditional Apartments
Fri Kassos, Dodecanese
"History"
It is not
precisely known who were the first residents of Kassos. Anyway, there are
indications that Achaeans had lived on the island before the Phoenicians.
These indications are strengthened by certain findings
in
the Ellinokamara cave and by the fact that a place in about the centre of
the island is named Argos. After Achaeans and Phoenicians the Dorians came
by and eventually the island generally had the same luck as Dodecanese and
especially its neighbor Karpathos.
Kassos owes its name to mythical hero Kassos, father of Kleochos or Kleomachos. In the old days was also called Amphjs, Astravi and Achni. It is reported by Homer that it took part in the Troy War. Existed member of Delian-Athenian Alliance and on the 3rd century B.C. passed under the dominance of Rhodians. In the Medieval Years conquered by Venetian family Cornaro (1306) and in the middle of 16th century by Turks.
The French excursionist Savari passed from Kassos in 1779 and characterized it "marvelous, small democracy, where all were equal and free". On 18th century the island developed his own naval force and became rich. With the beginning of Revolution on 1821, Kassos had 100 small and middle size boats. On May 1824 the Turk-Egyptian fleet burned the island. A few Kassians were escaped the slaughter, fact that remained known as the "holocaust" and is celebrated every year with many events. The integration to Greece took place in 1948.
The capital of the island, Fri or Frys, is found in the centre of Bouka's gulf, that is in the shape of an eyebrow. It was founded in 1840 from the residents of Saint Marina. The houses are spread out amphitheatrically, most of them sea captains houses, each one has his own rhythm, externally and internally.
Worth-seeing:
The archeological
collection of the new Archeological Museum of Kassos which is open since
October 2004. The folklore collection, with local costumes and objects of
daily use.
In the small square of Town hall the monument of Holocaust, work of Anatoli
Lazaridi.
Copyright @ 2005 Angelicas. All rights reserved.