History of Kasos

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the island is rooted in deep antiquity. Archaeological finds indicate that Kasos was inhabited as early as the Minoan and Mycenaean eras. According to legends, the island was named after the mythical hero Kasos, the father of Cleomachus, or derived from a Phoenician word meaning "sea foam".

One of the earliest written mentions appears in Homer's famous "Iliad". The poet notes that the island participated in the Trojan War, sending its ships as part of the Greek fleet, which confirms its significance even in those distant times.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the island was largely determined by its strategic position and natural conditions. The key factors were:

• Geography: Located between Crete and Karpathos, the island served as an important stop on the sea routes of the Eastern Mediterranean. This made it a natural bridge for cultural and commercial exchange.
• Seafaring: Due to the rocky terrain and limited resources for agriculture, local residents turned to the sea from early times. The development of shipping became the basis for survival and prosperity.
• Political Alliances: In the classical period of antiquity, the island was part of the Delian League, which provided it with protection and inclusion in the general economic system built by Ancient Greece.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was based on maritime trade. The islanders were renowned as skilled sailors and shipbuilders. Despite the harsh landscape, livestock farming and the extraction of marine resources developed here.

Culturally, the island was strongly influenced by neighbouring Crete, and later by the Dorians. Archaeologists have discovered traces of ancient sanctuaries and settlements, indicating a developed religious life and close ties with major centres of the Aegean civilization.

Major Historical Milestones

• 12th century BC — Kasos is mentioned in Homer's "Iliad" as a participant in the Trojan War, sending its ships as part of the Greek fleet.
• 5th century BC — The island joins the Delian League, strengthening political and trade ties with Athens.
• 1207 — After the Fourth Crusade, the administration of the island passes to the Venetian aristocratic Cornaro family.
• 1537 — The island is captured by the fleet of Hayreddin Barbarossa and becomes part of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries.
• 1821 — Local residents actively support the Greek Revolution, providing their impressive merchant fleet for military needs.
• 7 June 1824 — A tragic event known as the "Catastrophe of Kasos" occurs, when Egyptian-Ottoman troops ravage the island and destroy a large part of the population.
• 1830 — According to the London Protocol, the territory remains under Ottoman rule, despite the creation of an independent Greek state.
• 1912 — During the Italo-Turkish War, Italian troops land, beginning the period of Italian occupation of the Dodecanese.
• 1947 — A peace treaty is signed, under the terms of which Italy transfers rights to the Dodecanese archipelago to Greece.
• 7 March 1948 — Kasos officially reunites with Greece, opening the modern chapter of its history.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of the island is a series of ups and downs, each of which has left a deep mark on its architectural appearance and way of life. Key development milestones determined the modern look of local settlements and the economic orientation of the residents.

• Era of Maritime Power (18th – early 19th century). During this period, Kasos reached the peak of its economic prosperity thanks to a strong merchant fleet. The significance for the island was colossal: accumulated wealth allowed for the rebuilding of the capital, Fri, and other villages, adorning them with majestic captains' mansions that still form the architectural character of the settlements.
• Urban Planning Collapse of 1824. The tragic events associated with the destruction of the island during the War of Independence led to the complete annihilation of urban infrastructure and a sharp decline in population. This event reset past economic achievements, forcing survivors to start building homes and livelihoods practically from zero.
• The "Egyptian" Recovery Period (late 19th century). Many residents emigrated to work in Egypt, participating in the construction of the Suez Canal. Remittances from the diaspora became the foundation for the island's revival. These funds were used to restore churches and residential houses, introducing elements of cosmopolitanism into local culture and daily life.
• Integration into the National Space (1948). Official accession to the state of Greece opened access to state funding and national development programmes. This marked the beginning of economic stabilization and the gradual introduction of modern living standards, including electrification and water supply.
• Airport Construction (1983). The opening of the municipal airport became the most important infrastructure project of recent times. The appearance of air connections broke the transport isolation, ensuring rapid links with Crete and Rhodes, which boosted tourism development and eased life for the local community.
• Modern Heritage Revitalization (21st century). In recent decades, the focus has shifted to the preservation and restoration of traditional captains' houses instead of mass new construction. This direction supports the island's cultural identity and attracts travellers who appreciate the authentic atmosphere of the Aegean Sea.

Urban Development and Settlement Appearance

The architectural landscape of the island of Kasos is inextricably linked to its maritime history and harsh natural conditions. Unlike the chaotic construction of many Cycladic villages, local settlements, such as the capital Fri, were formed more orderly, oriented towards natural harbours. The urban structure was determined by two factors: the need for protection from winds and pirates in early eras, and the desire to demonstrate social status during the heyday of shipping.

The historical centre developed on the principle of an amphitheatre around the port, where residential quarters rise smoothly from the embankment to the hills. This provided a good view of the sea, which was critically important for a society of seafarers.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The appearance of the island can be roughly divided into two key stylistic directions that reflect different periods of its history:

• Traditional Vernacular Architecture. The earliest and most utilitarian layer of construction. These are simple cubic stone houses with flat roofs designed to collect rainwater. Walls were often whitewashed to reflect the sun. This style, devoid of excesses, dominated until the 19th century and is best preserved in the old quarters of the village of Agia Marina.
• Neoclassicism (late 19th – early 20th century). The era of recovery after the destruction of 1824 and close ties with Egypt brought European fashion to the island. Wealthy shipowners erected majestic "captain's houses" (kapitanospita). They are characterized by high ceilings, strict symmetry of facades, decorative pediments, columns at the entrance, and large windows — elements demonstrating the wealth and cosmopolitanism of the owners.

Iconic Buildings and Urban Elements

The unique visual code of the island within the state of Greece is formed not so much by monumental public buildings as by residential development and landscaping details.

• Port of Bouka. The old pirate harbour in Fri is the architectural dominant of the capital. A dense row of buildings on the embankment acts as a kind of fortress wall, protecting the inner streets from the elements of the sea.
• Captain's Mansions. These two-storey buildings stand out against the background of simple buildings with bright colours (ochre, blue, terracotta) and elegant balconies. They serve as a living monument to the era of the island's maritime power.
• Courtyards with "Hochlakia" Mosaics. An important element of urban design is the paving of church courtyards and squares with black and white sea pebbles. Skillful patterns, often depicting marine motifs or geometric figures, can be seen at the Church of Saint Spyridon and other temples on the island.

Despite its modest size, Kasos has been the birthplace or place of inspiration for a number of outstanding figures, from mythical heroes to modern artists. Their names are forever inscribed in the history carefully preserved by Greece.

• Kasos (Mythological Hero) — The eponym of the island. According to ancient legends, he was the son of Inachus (or Cleomachus) and the first ruler after whom this land received its name. His figure symbolizes the deep historical roots of the local population, reaching back to the Minoan era.
• Saint Kassia (9th century) — A Byzantine abbess, poet, and hymnographer. One of the first female composers in history whose works have survived to this day. Although her origins are often linked to Constantinople, local tradition and a number of researchers point to her close connection with the island, where she is revered as one of the most significant spiritual figures.
• Markos Malliarakis (died 1824) — Captain and national hero. During the Greek War of Independence, he showed exceptional courage commanding local resistance forces. He died in battle defending his native land from the Egyptian-Ottoman fleet during the tragic events of the "Catastrophe of Kasos".
• Theodoros Kantartzis — An outstanding naval commander of the 1821 revolutionary era. Like Malliarakis, he played a key role in naval battles, turning the island's merchant fleet into a formidable military force that inflicted significant damage on the enemy in the Aegean Sea.
• Nikolaos Mavris (1899–1978) — Doctor, politician, and philanthropist. He became the first Governor of the Dodecanese after the reunification of the archipelago with Greece in 1948. Mavris dedicated his life not only to politics but also to the preservation of cultural heritage, founding a public library in Fri and writing fundamental works on the history of his native land.
• Dimitrios Antoniou (1906–1994) — A renowned poet and essayist, a bright representative of the "Generation of the '30s" literary movement. His work, permeated with marine motifs and philosophical reflections, brought him recognition in the literary circles of Athens and beyond.
• Antoine Malliarakis (Mayo) (1905–1990) — World-famous surrealist painter, set designer, and costume designer. The son of an engineer from Kasos, living in France and Egypt, he always emphasized his Greek roots, which were reflected in his unique artistic style.