Othonoi
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Native name: Οθωνοί Nickname: Το νησί της Καλυψούς (Calypso Island) | ||
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Region Ionian Islands | | |
Regional unit | Corfu | |
Municipality | Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands | |
Capital city | Ammos | |
Demographics | ||
Demonym | Othonian (Greek: Othoniotis) | |
Population | 386[1] (2021) | |
Additional information | ||
Postal code | 49100 | |
Area code(s) | 26630 | |
Vehicle registration | KY | |
Official website | www |
Othonoi (
In the 19th century the island was the capital of the Diapontia Islands municipality, which also included nearby islands of Ereikoussa, Mathraki, islets and rocks of Diakopo, Diaplo, Karavi, Kastrino, Leipso, Ostrako, Plaka, Plateia and Tracheia. Othonoi is about 47 nautical miles from Santa Maria di Leuca cape, Italy.[4]
Name
The first name according to ancient texts (Hesychius, 3rd cent. BC) was "Othronos" (Ὀθρωνός), "Othronoi" (Ὀθρωνοί) and by Procopius seems to be "Othonē" (Ὀθωνή) (6th c.). According to Pliny (1st cent.), it was "Thoronos" (Θόρονος). Other names were "Fidonisi" (Snake island) because of the many snakes that are said to have invaded the island, and "Fanò" (Lamp) which is used in international charters and by the Italians because of the lighthouse situated on the island.[5]: 19 Othoni was called "Calypso island" in many maps of 16th century. [6] Another Greek name for the island is "Astakonisi" (Αστακονήσι); the Albanian name is Strakëna, which may be a cognate of it that ultimately derives from reconstructed Doric Greek Ostrakonásion (Οστρακονάσιον). A second etymological approach for the latter, is that it derives from the plural of the Greek adjective ostrakinón (οστρακινόν), which is ostrakiná (οστρακινά); likely expressing a quality of the island.[7][8]
Nowadays the Othonians living in Corfu sometimes call the island "Pera" ("Πέρα" meaning: beyond), as the island is located beyond Corfu.[5]: 19
History
At the beginning of the second millennium, the island was conquered alternatively by the
The last settlers of Othonoi apparently came from
Sinking of Submarine Protefs
On 29 December 1940, the Greek submarine
Mythology
According to legend, the ancient poet
fell in love with her, and remained there seven years as her prisoner.Some evidence in favor of this legend appears in the same writings of Homer. He described a strong scent of cypress on Ogygia, and many cypress trees grow on Othonoi. Shortly after leaving the island on a raft, Odysseus is shipwrecked on the island of Scheria, known today as Corfu. This implies that the two mythical islands were separated by a relatively short distance, and indeed, the islands of Othonoi and Corfu are separated by a relatively short distance.[5]: 21–22
According to Hesychius, after the Trojan War, Elephenor, king of Avantes, fled from Euboea to the island after the fall of Troy, to atone as he had killed his grandfather, Abas.[5]: 222
Economy
Most Othoniotes (local dialect: Thoniotes) have migrated to Corfu, Athens, and abroad (especially to the USA) because of the unemployment and few exploitable resources (1900-1960). The main work was olive and olive oil production. Most men of that time were involved in nautical professions (sailor, bosun, carpenter, captain, skipper, etc.) and worked on commercial and warships which were operating in every part of the earth. The main occupations of current residents are tourism, construction, fishing, and olive production. Previously, there has been significant cultivation of vines, beekeeping and livestock.[5]: 13
Settlements
Othonoi is divided into two regions which are Ano Panta (Greek: Άνω πάντα) and Kato Panta (Greek: Κάτω πάντα). There are more than 20 settlements.[5]: 37
Settlement | Region |
---|---|
Chorio | Ano Panta |
Dafni (including Fragoplatika, Nikolatika and Mogiatika) | Ano Panta |
Stavros | Ano Panta |
Vitsentziatika | Ano Panta |
Argyratika | Ano Panta |
Deletatika | Kato Panta |
Damaskatika | Ano Panta |
Katsouratika | Kato Panta |
Ammos | Kato Panta |
Papadatika | Kato Panta |
Mastoratika | Kato Panta |
Kasimatika | Kato Panta |
Benardatika | Kato Panta |
Pagalatika | Kato Panta |
Katsouratika | Kato Panta |
Mihatika | Kato Panta |
Avlakia | Kato Panta |
Main sights
Churches
- Holy Trinity church (Greek: Εκκλησία Αγίας Τριάδος) (1892) at Ammos.
- Virgin Mary church (Greek: Εκκλησία Παναγίας θεοτόκου) near Stavros district.
- Saint George church(Greek: Εκκλησία Αγίου Γεωργίου) (about 1864) at Chorio.
- Agia Paraskevi church (Greek: Εκκλησία Αγίας Παρασκευής) (and the old stone mill) at Damaskatika.[citation needed]
Other buildings
- School of Othonoi (Greek: Σχολείο Οθωνών) (1912) at Ammos.
- Ruins of the Venetian fortress at the northeast end of Kastri cape hilltop at an altitude of 100 m.
- Lighthouse of Othonoi (Greek: Φάρος Οθωνών) (built in 1872).[citation needed]
Monuments
- Cross monumentat Stavros, for the massacre of the inhabitants of Othonoi by the Ottoman fleet under Hayreddin Barbarossa in 1537.
- Monument to seafarers of Othonoi island, at Ammos.
- Monument to submarine PROTEUS, at Ammos.[citation needed]
Nature
- Aspri Ammos beach (Greek: Παραλία Άσπρη άμμος) which is accessible only by boat to the west of the island.
- Cave of Calypso (Greek: Σπήλαιο Καλυψώς), near of Aspri ammos beach.
- Mount Imerovigli (Greek: Όρος Ημεροβίγκλι) and the highest peak of the island with height of 395 metres (1,296 ft)
- Kamara (Greek: Καμάρα) near Ammos.
- Iliovasilema (sunset) at Chorio.[5]: 37–48 [10]
Beaches
Most beaches on the island are accessible by boat, including Ammos, Molos, Kamini, Kanoula, Kontoskes, Rogi, Fyki, Xilosermi, and Aspri Ammos. It is a well-known island for underwater photography because of the peculiar geomorphology of the seabed and the many caves. Other points of interest are the Moshopontikas, Xylosermi, Fyki bay (where there is the sunken wreck of Sarah ship). Othonoi was frequently visited by the French naturalist Jacques Cousteau and his exploratory vessel Calypso.[5]: 27–28
Trails
The traditional trail was created and used by the first inhabitants and was subsequently reopened by the municipality and private initiatives. Locals and visitors can use the trail to reach almost every neighborhood and part of the island on foot, as well as Mount
Others
- Port of Ammos (Greek: Λιμένας Άμμου) is the most populous district with small guesthouses, restaurants, rent-a-bike store, cafes, police station, a community clinic with ambulance and port authority.[citation needed]
Nature
Flora
The island is almost completely covered by trees which produce a small species of olive, the "Elea the cherry" (Olea microcarpa), commonly Lianolia or ladoelia, with a high content of high-quality oil, which is common in all the Ionian Islands. It was densely planted during Venetian rule, so most are aged 300–400 years exceeding a height of 7 metres (23 ft). There are
Fauna
Othonoi is the first
. There are severalClimate
The climate of Othonoi is mild and generally warm and temperate. The winters are rainier than the summers. The
Climate data for Othonoi island | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 140 (5.5) |
114 (4.5) |
92 (3.6) |
59 (2.3) |
40 (1.6) |
18 (0.7) |
12 (0.5) |
22 (0.9) |
66 (2.6) |
127 (5.0) |
173 (6.8) |
163 (6.4) |
1,026 (40.4) |
Source: climate-data.org[11] |
Dialect
A dialect is spoken resembling that of Corfu and having similar prosody. It is heavily influenced by Italian.[citation needed]
Transport
The island is accessible by boat with regular services from Corfu port and Agios Stefanos Avliotes. There is a port in Avlakia district (with fishing port), for several small private yachts and boats.The island has a heliport for emergencies. Asphalt roads are available on many parts of the island, about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) of which are extended to settlements. There is complete electrification and a telephone network with Internet access.[citation needed]
Othonoi in Literature
- Ionion akron. Greece in the narrow of Otranto (ISBN 960-7062-99-X)
- Folklore mission to Diapontia islands, by Dimitrios Loukatos, 2012 (ISBN 960-404-246-7)
- Ereikoussa, the extra garden and the continental shelf of Diapontia islands by greek journalist, Georgios Lekakis, 2014 (ISBN 978-960-454-102-7)
- The Fiddler's daughter (ISBN 960-7720-53-9)
Gallery
-
Imerovigli, highest point of Othoni
-
Othonoi's lighthouse
-
Koukouli rock
-
Sunset, Chorio
-
Ammos port
-
Virgin Mary church, Ano Panta
-
Aspri ammos beach
-
Ztrila square, Chorio
-
One of the old stone bridges of Othonoi
-
Ammos district
-
Old mill, Damaskatika district
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Saint George, Chorio
-
Trail sign
References
- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Μόνιμου Πληθυσμού κατά δημοτική κοινότητα" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 21 April 2023.
- ^ "Δημοτικές Ενότητες".
- ^ "Τροποποίηση του άρθρου 1 του ν. 3852/2010" [Amendment of Article 1 of l. 3852/2010] (in Greek). Government Gazette. p. 1164.
- ^ "Information about Othonoi". Othonoi official website. Archived from the original on 2018-06-05.
- ^ ISBN 960-7062-99-X.
- ^ "Το "Νησί της Καλυψώς" σύμφωνα με ιστορικούς χάρτες βρίσκεται ΒΔ της Κέρκυρας (φωτογραφίες) | www.diapontia.gr".
- ^ Kyriazis, Doris (2016). "Γλωσσικές επαφές και διαστρωματώσεις στην περιοχή Χιμάρας". Βορειοηπειρωτικά (in Greek). Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: 6–7 – via Institutional Repository of Scientific Publications (AUTh).
- ISBN 978-1-5275-1429-4.
- ^ "Η ηρωική δράση και η απώλεια του υποβρυχίου ΠΡΩΤΕΥΣ". Archived from the original on 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ a b "Ένωσαν δυνάμεις και άνοιξαν το μονοπάτι προς το Μεροβίγγλι Οθωνών – Newmail.gr". Archived from the original on 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ "Othoni climate". climate-data.org.