Kalymnos Chorio

General information

Also known as Chora, Chorio lies in a small valley 3 kilometers away from Pothia and used to be the island’s capital for centuries. Its location was strategically chosen to protect its inhabitants from pirate incursions, which were a constant threat for the coastal areas at the time. Over the years, both Pothia and Chorio have expanded, so now they have practically merged into one larger settlement.

Around Chorio, visitors will find some of the island’s most significant sights, such as the Byzantine Castle of Chora and the medieval Chryssocheria Castle, which was erected by the Knights of Saint John. Several nice churches and monasteries lie scattered around the wider area, the most remarkable being the church of Panagia Kecharitomeni, the island’s first cathedral, which boasts an ornately carved altarpiece. The churches of Christ of Jerusalem and Agia Sophia (or Evangelistria) are also of particular architectural interest, as they were built with material from the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo Dalios.