|
Post by Administrator on May 12, 2007 14:10:00 GMT 10
It is surprising that an island so small, only some 9 square kilometres, can have such a fascinating and complex history. Lying at the crossroads of the earliest maritime trade between Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Europe, and having one of the few accommodating harbours along the southern coast of Asia Minor, the island's early settlement appears to have commenced around 900 BC, or nearly three thousand years ago. Peoples and economic activities came and went. Ancient Greeks worshiped Apollo on the island, and built and dedicated shrines to him, as shown in inscriptions found there, and the Romans rested their war fleets there. The island's medieval history is dominated by the occupation by the Knights of St John of Rhodes, who under the Grand Master Juan d' Heredia, reconstructed the lower Hellenistic castle on the Kavos promontory. Of the many times it was destroyed, one of the most known was by the Venetian, Francesco Morosini, who also is responsible for the explosion that destroyed the Parthenon. He lay siege to the Turks in the castle and then blew it up before departing. Early pilgrims passed through to the Holy Land, leaving interesting commentary through to the twentieth century. Even the geography has changed, with the remains of a Roman road on the seabed of the Mandraki harbour evidencing that the island is still slowing sinking. And other remains evidence a strong wine making industry on the island in early years, together with the salt making industry in both harbours, that supported the coffers of the Knights of St John. And even in the remarkably brief timespan of the 50 years to 1948, Castellorizo experienced further extraordinary change. It underwent 6 forms of governance: from Ottoman (to 1913); brief self rule (1913-1915); French (1915-1921); Italian (1921-1943); British military (1943-1947); then Greek (1948- ). In that time there were also local revolts; two world wars; a massive earthquake; and a final destructive fire. The island's economy went from one of economic privilege and considerable wealth, to final near abandonment - the population dropping from some 9,000 to some 300 in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.
This part of the Castellorizo Forum encourages the exchange of stories, questions and answers about the chequered history of Castellorizo. Readers are encouraged to share their stories of events in the island's history and to recount the memories of family members as those reminiscences have been relayed to them.
Nick Bogiatzis, Canberra Nicholas Pappas, Sydney
|
|
|
Post by ingerid on May 15, 2007 4:46:22 GMT 10
Thank you for creating this great web site, I'm looking forward to learn more about the place my mother was born, and about the people of this beautiful island. The photo of the harbour looks great!
Ingerid, Oslo Norway
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on May 15, 2007 7:51:20 GMT 10
Thank you for your words, Ingerid. And a big thank you to you and to your mother for permitting us to use your family's harbour shot on the masthead of our new site.
For the benefit of members and guests of the Castellorizo Forum, the story of Ingerid's family is a remarkable one - her grandfather, a Norwegian engineer, built the former electrical station on the island (the old DEH in Pera Meria) and was largely responsible for the advent of electricity from 1928. Ingerid's mother was born on Castellorizo and the family still holds treasured memories and mementos of the years they spent there in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
It is one of the great benefits of a Forum such as this that we are now able to connect speedily with families like Ingerid's and exchange information about Castellorizo's fascinating history.
Nicholas
|
|
mitch
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by mitch on May 16, 2007 20:45:30 GMT 10
Nick, I'm aware there are several recodings of the traditional Castellorizian wedding songs available. Most of these are not of good quality. Do you know of a good quality cd production available for purchase and perhaps even a dvd with visual footage of the traditions? Mitch
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on May 16, 2007 22:06:33 GMT 10
Mitch, The only one currently available that I am aware of is from the so-called 'Guardians of Hellenism' series issued by FM Records in Greece. It's volume 10 and it has 5 well-recorded songs from Castellorizo. Check out www.cduniverse.com for some of the tracks. There was an entire CD called just "Castellorizo" (light blue cover with harbour photo) some years ago that had a very good selection of recordings - I'll see if I can get you some details. Maybe others know...? Nicholas
|
|
|
Post by peterjnikolas on May 22, 2007 17:12:06 GMT 10
I have read many books on the war of 1922. I like many others lost my grandfather and mother her father. She was too young to understand and I never asked those important questions, at that time. Now I am trying to fill the vacant spots in the family tree. My grandmother was Evangelia Koutoupe and married Vassilis Yanglitzis.
|
|
millik
Junior Member
Posts: 29
|
Post by millik on May 27, 2007 21:37:16 GMT 10
The Kastellorizo music CD with the blue cover and the photo of the harbour is called Kastellorizo ( written in the Greek script) with a subtitle in English: Traditional songs of Castellorizo. It was published by SYRTOS - Society of Research, Inventory, Presentation of Greek Traditional Music , copyright 1992. It is numbered CD561 and was distributed through Sony Music Entertainment, Greece, A.E and was made in Greece. There are 18 tracks listed: I will list the titles as they are written in English and scan the liner notes and post them to picasaweb.google.com/millipiks/Kastellorizoshortly. 1. Petros kai Paulos - Saint Peter and Paul ( Wedding song) - 4.22 2. Mana-Xapa - Mother Joy ( Sousta Dance) - 3.40 3. Wake up, don't fall asleep - 4.12 4. Give me wishes with your handkerchief - 2.40 5. The Pepper ( Instrumental) 2.50 6. Like the Castle of Sourias - 1.48 7. The departure ( Song of the Foreign Land) - 4.11 8. Ta Botania - The Herbs ( Wedding song) - 1.08 9. Adikristos Dance ( Instrumental) - 1.13 10. My Dearest Lady - 3.09 11. An Eastern Song - 3.35 12. The song of Saint George - 0.35 13. I'm falling from the herbs - 5.13 14. Tune of Santaklida ( Tune of the Swing) - 4.02 15. A carnival song - 4.27 16. Tune of Santaklida II - 1.09 17. A wedding tune ( Instrumental) - 1.05 18. Saint Nicholas from Myra - 2.19 Hope this helps... cheers, Milli K
|
|
|
Post by Ben Cahoon on Jun 16, 2007 0:45:39 GMT 10
Hi Nick, I am very interested in the historical leaders on Castellorizo. Can you tell me who the French governors were between 1915-1921 and the local leaders during the two periods of local autonomy 1828-33 and 1913-15? I have been looking for many years and have only just today found a partial entry for Raymond Terme as governor in 1918: 1828 - 1833 Under Greek control during the Greek war of independence. 14 Mar. 1913 - 1915 Autonomous. 28 Dec. 1915 - 1 Mar. 1921 Occupied by France. 1 Mar 1921 Italian administration. 11 Jul. 1922 Part of Italian Dodecanese Islands Sep. 1943 - 1945 British occupation. May '45-15 Sept '47 British administration. 15 Sep. 1947 Greek administration. 22 Mar. 1948 Incorporated into Greece. Leaders 1828 - 1833 No specific leader - governed by a local demogerontia (council) of 5 elected persons1913 -1915 Following the 1/14 March revolt against the local Ottoman authorities, the island was led by a local military administrator, Ioannis Lakerdis, until Castellorizo was formally made a sub-administration of the Greek Kingdom (under the authority of Samos) on 1 August of that year. A governor, Vasilios Tzavellas, was despatched to the island, but he was ousted by the locals in February 1914. Another Greek appointee, Stavrakis, arrived soon after, but he, too, was ousted in September 1914. Finally, the last Greek governor of the island, Odysseas Horologas, arrived in February 1915, and his 'arrest' by Lakerdis and his men, who had by now tied their fortunes to French intervention, led to the arrival of the French forces on 28 December 1915.French Governors 1915-1917 Henri-Marie Bourdoncle de Saint-Salvy1917-1918 Le Camus1918-1921 Raymond TermeThanks very much for your help! Ben bmc77@hotmail.com Editor www.worldstatesmen.org
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jun 16, 2007 9:52:04 GMT 10
Ben,
I have modified your post with the additional details which are italicised for your ease of reference - I trust this gives you the information you need.
By the way, Castellorizo was never occupied by the Germans, but remained under British military occupation until the end of the War.
Rgds, Nicholas
|
|
|
Post by Ben Cahoon on Jun 20, 2007 23:45:50 GMT 10
Nick, Thank you very much for your posting on the French governros! It was very helpful and informative. Can you tell me perhaps if you have any exact dates for the French governors 1915-21 or the name of the interim Italian Naval governor 1 March 1921 - 11 July 1922? or perhaps the British military governors 1943-47? Thank you, Ben Cahoon www.worldstatesmen.org
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jun 25, 2007 23:15:06 GMT 10
Ben,
I will post the precise dates you are seeking on my return to Sydney in three weeks. I hope that's OK.
Nicholas
|
|
|
Post by Ben on Jun 27, 2007 5:06:27 GMT 10
Nicholas, sure that's fine. I look forward to seeing the exact dates and and other data 1921-22, and 1944-47 you might have!
Thanks much!!! BEN
|
|
|
Post by joymcdonald on Jun 27, 2007 8:14:47 GMT 10
Congratulations on generating this site! My sister Katherine and I would like to begin some research on those who left the island to migrate to the USA and Australia, and their reasons for doing so. I am also after sources of information about our paternal grandfather Manolis Economos who married Eftihia Georgiadis. Any information and /or sources would be much appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Ben Cahoon on Jul 25, 2007 5:57:50 GMT 10
Hi Nick. Have you been able to locate more ex cact dates for the French Governors 1915-21 of Castellorizo that you posted last month?It was very helpful and informative. Can you tell me the name of the interim Italian Naval governor (s) 1 March 1921 - 11 July 1922? or perhaps the British military governors 1943-47? thanks! BEN
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jul 25, 2007 7:51:07 GMT 10
Ben,
I have started a new thread for your request - see 'Political and colonial leaders of Castellorizo' on the History board.
I have also included some new details. More to follow...
Nicholas
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jul 25, 2007 7:54:02 GMT 10
Congratulations on generating this site! My sister Katherine and I would like to begin some research on those who left the island to migrate to the USA and Australia, and their reasons for doing so. I am also after sources of information about our paternal grandfather Manolis Economos who married Eftihia Georgiadis. Any information and /or sources would be much appreciated. Joy, Are you able to give me more details about your paternal grandparents? Where were they married? Approximately when? Do you know their parents' names? This sort of information will help me to trawl through various indexes. Nicholas
|
|
|
Post by Ben Cahoon on Aug 11, 2007 1:37:03 GMT 10
Hi Nicholas, thanks, I did see the new category post. I posted a few responses there for you under that new heading. I look forward to hearing your responses there. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by evakolavotaifalos on Jul 27, 2008 21:10:25 GMT 10
Hi Nicholas.
I visited Castelorizo earlier this month (july08) the museum there had a wonderful DVD on the history of the island, viewing every day at noon. I asked to purchase a copy but was advised it was not for sale. Do you know of any other avenues open to be able to purchase a copy.
I also made inquires in Rhodes Municipal Council regarding any archives on documents pertaining to Castelorizo past inhabitants and their properties. I was advised that there are records for the period 1895 to 1930 for marriages that took place in Castelorizo and properties pertaining to those marraiges. These records are being held by a person located in Rhodes town. When I contacted an associate of hers they advised that we are free to make a search of these records by appointment. I cannot read Greek and was unable to do a search. Wondering do you have access to these records? If not contact me and I can give you details including a telephone number and address in Rhodes.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jul 28, 2008 8:23:15 GMT 10
Eva,
Thank you for your post.
From what I have heard, a DVD of the film being shown in the Museum is not currently available, though there are thoughts about releasing it for sale next year...
If you read the introduction to the Genealogy Board, you will see that we have here a complete copy of the dowry contracts you refer to. They are currently being indexed with a view to their details being published (in English) at some point in time. In the meantime, if there is any particular contract/marriage within this period (1895-1930) you seek information on, please let me know and I'll see if it is there.
Nicholas
|
|
G.M.B.
Junior Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by G.M.B. on Sept 27, 2010 13:25:32 GMT 10
Hi Nicholas, attached is an extract I found from travel diary from 1838. I think it might be of interest to the members. Regards, George Bayss. Attachments:
|
|
G.M.B.
Junior Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by G.M.B. on Dec 16, 2010 10:49:19 GMT 10
Hi all, attached is some comments made by a traveler in the year 1817. this section has been copied by other writers right up to 1824 at least if not more. It is interesting to see how someone in that era saw things and how they came to conclusions. Regards, George Bayss. Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by afonso73 on Jul 8, 2015 5:01:35 GMT 10
Treaty between Italy and Turkey about Castellorizo (It.: Castelrosso) 73.pdf (157.55 KB)
|
|