History

It was called Halki after the ancient copper mines. Initially, it was inhabited by Pelasgi and then by Kares, Dorians and Phoenicians. The excavation findings proved that Halki created a civilization and enjoyed prosperity from the 10 th cent. B.C. to the Classic Era. But it is kept in obscurity till the 7 th cent. A.D., when it was occupied by the Arabs. The Byzantines occupied it in 825. The beginning of the Frankish rule, in 1204, brings Venetians and Genoans to the island. In 1523 they are forced out by the Turks, who ruled till 1912 when the Italian occupation starts. The incorporation into Greece is achieved in 1948.

Halki or Niborio

It is amphitheatrically built. It has got beautiful white houses, tiled roofs and large windows. From some distance it gives the impression of a large village. The desolation, though, is evident. The inhabitants tired of the long lasting Italian occupation and the War, left. The population now is 313.

• The church of St Nicholas with its magnificent steeple in Niborio (1861).
• The remnants of Apollo's ancient temple in Pefkia site, out of Niborio.
• The Village (Horio) is the capital of Halki. It is totally uninhabited. The population used to be 4000. They were far away from the sea, for fear of Morozini's pirates. The stony houses are built on the hill.
• The Venetian Castle had been built on the site of the ancient citadel. The view is enchanting. The mountain in the background is split in two. The mountainsides go down to the sea in an abrupt way. The desolated mountain's interior reveals St Nicholas' church with its post Byzantine murals.
• The monastery of Archangel Michael (5 km NW).
• The monastery of St John Alarga on the west edge of the island. It looks out on Karpathos. There are some houses around, which belong to the monastery. The monasteries of the Holy Trinity and the Cross, are in the same area.
• A cave, an old hermitage with murals on the rocks. It is situated in the coastal area of Kellia.

The islands around : Alimia s a small island in the NE between Halki and Skalia Kamirou of Rhodes. It has got a natural leeward harbour. The Alimia islands belong to cattle-breeders. During the summer, tourist crafts come from Rhodes everyday.

The sites are:

• Remnants of a Venetian Castle
• St George's monastery