Tilos
From CruisersWiki
Tilos
Click for larger view
Background
Tilos (Τήλος) or Telos is a fairly remote and off the beaten track island. It is not very picturesque but it is quiet and more true to its traditions than the more developed neighboring islands.
Telos has had an interesting history. It seems that the island was connected to Asia Minor and elephants roamed its land. When the island was separated from the mainland around 10,000 years ago, the descendants of these elephants evolved into a more compact size. Remains of these small elephants have been excavated.
According to the mythology, the island was named after Telos the son of the sun Helios and Alia. Alia got sick and the dutiful son came to this island to find herbs to cure his mother's sickness. After she was cured he built a sanctuary dedicated to Helios-Apollo and to Poseidon. He became its first priest.
In antiquity the island was fairly prosperous and had founded a colony in Sicily named Gela. Telos was a member of the Delian League. The island was famous for its export of perfumes. The poetess Erinna who was said to be a "female Homer" was from Telos. In the third century Telos was allied with Rhodes. In 226 BC there was an earthquake that destroyed part of its citadel, near today's Megalo Chorio. From 42 BC Telos came under the Romans.
During the middle ages Telos was known as Episcopi and was under the Knights of St. John from 1309 to 1522. It withstood several attacks by the Turks. Later Venetians and pirates raided the island. This continued as late as 1821 when the revolutionary Greek boats from Mykonos and Spetses raided it.
In 1912 Telos was occupied by the Italians, who called it Piscopi, and then in 1943 by the Germans who destroyed all of the island's livestock. Finally, in 1948, along with the rest of the Dodecanese, Telos was united with Greece.
In the 1990's the mayor of Telos, a member of Greenpeace, banned all hunting on the island and declared it a wildlife refuge. Since then, there is an active environmental conscience on the island and it is known as the Green Island of the Dodecanese.
Charts
BA 1055 Rhodes Channel and Gökova Körfezi
Imray-Tetra G35 Dodecanese and Coast of Turkey
NIMA 54400 Samos to Rodhos
Greek 451 Leros to Rhodos
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHH channels 01 & 63
All approaches to Tilos are without danger but, with the meltemi there can be very strong gusts.
Check-in facilities
There are two anchorages in Tilos, the small harbor of Livádia and a cove at the N of the island.
Ports and Popular Stops
Livádia
| Livádia (Λιβάδια) or Livadhi [36° 25' N 27° 23.1' E] is the only harbor on the island. It is a small and crowded harbor and was completed in 2002. There is electricity and water on the quay. The entrance of the harbor is exposed to the NE and SE winds but the harbor itself is protected from the meltemi although there are strong gusts and an uncomfortable swell. If there is room, it is best to come side-to on the E breakwater otherwise you have to anchor and come stern or bows-to the quay. The people here are friendly but there are strong lights and the Blue Sky taverna, right over the quay stays open late and plays loud music.
In settled weather you can anchor off outside the harbor. Warning: Anchoring-off should be avoided during strong weather. | File:Tilos Livadia h.jpg Chart of Livádia Click for larger view |
 Livádia Harbor from the South |
 Livádia Harbor from the East |
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Ayios Antónios
This cove is exposed to the N.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
Megalo Chorio
Near Megalo Chorio is the Venetian castle, the Kastro, built on top of the ancient acropolis. The town is pretty, with whitewashed houses. There is a small museum with the bones of the miniature elephants. On July 28 and November 8, there is a festival here with local dances.
A few kilometers N of Megalo Chorio at the beach of Ayios Antónios there are the petrified remains of human skeletons of sailors caught in the lava of the Niseros eruption of 600 BC.
Mikro Chorio
Along the road from Livathia to Eristos (Έρυστος), about an hour's walk, there is the deserted ghost village of Mikro Chorio. This is well worth a visit. There are two 15th century churches with frescoes. The village, which was the most populous in the island, was too remote from the sea and had no water. In older times people lived way inland because of the fear of the pirates, but as this fear receded the rational also went away. So, it was abandoned in 1950 and the inhabitants moved to harbor of Livádia. Now the only building that is not abandoned is a restored house that is being used as a bar/disco. It actually does look attractive. The marked "parking" area in this wasteland is kind of ludicrous. It is all very spooky!
A short distance from the village there is the cave where the bones of the pigmy elephants were found in 1971. These were supposedly the last elephants in Europe. They were killed around 4000 BC.
 The Central Street |
 Abandoned House |
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel - not available
- Water - on the quay of Livádia
- Electricity - on the quay of Livádia (extra charge)
Laundry
N/A.
Grocery Stores
- There is very good bakery and several food stores in Livádia
Eateries
- The Trata and the Irina restaurants in Livádia are recommended
Motorbike & Car Rentals
N/A.
Marine Stores & Facilities
None.
Repairs
N/A.
Transportation
There are ferries to Athens, twice a week, and hydrofoils to Kos and Rhodes.
References & Publications
See Greece.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- August 2003 --Istioploos 15:18, 6 June 2008 (MDT)
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