Villages of Karpathos.
Pigadia, the capital.
It is the main port and the biggest village as well as the capital of the province of Karpathos, as it is its administration centre with all public services gathered here.
The modern settlement of Pigadia, as we khow ti today, was created at the end of the 19th century, when the Turks transferred the administration centre from Aperi, which used to be the islands capital back then, to Pigadia in 1892. Pigadia is located on the south eastern side of the island.
This small city is built at the southern end of the bay and received its name by the wells that used to be plenty in that area, as Pigadi means well. Most of the houses are modern houses and are scattered on the flat area around the bay and all around and through the mazy, small, narrow streets.
In front of those houses is the esplanade which is full of restaurants, shops and coffee shops and pulses of life in the summer time.
This central road goes all the way to the main port of the island. It is a natural port and its antrance is blocked by three very small desert islands. On its calm waters there are always some fishing and sailing boats swaying gently. This is also the port in which ferry boats arriving in Karpathos anchor.
There are plenty of hotels, taverns, restaurants, traditional coffee houses, bars and night clubs in Pigadia.
The village of Menetes
Menetes is the closest village to Pigadia, which is just 7 kilometers away from it.
That village, built on a 350 meter height, is one of the oldest and the biggest on the island. It is assumed that is was founded about 1000 years ago, by the inhabitants of the ancient Arkesia and of Makri Gialo of Afiartis area. It is said that those people had to abandon their homes due to the raids of the Arabs, the Saracens and others. and to seek safer places to live.
The houses of the village are amphitheatricalle built on the slope of Prophet Elias and are surrounded by narrow cobbled roads. Gardens and olive trees surround that large village. One of the most special churches of the settlement is the assumption church, from the 19th century, which is latched on the Holly Rock, while the steep precipice is stretching underneath it. From that spot you can enjoy the view to the whole of the bay of Vrodi and Pigadia.
One of the biggest and most important festivities of Menetes and Karpathos in general takes place on the 15th of August.
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