Karpathos, also known as Pigadia, is the island’s capital and port, located on its southeastern side. The town can be explored through several themes: Pigadia stands on the site of the ancient city of Poseidios; early Christian sites, the Archaeological Museum, an extensive sandy beach in town and nightlife are also among the different aspects of a stay. This means you can choose your destination based on a mix of history, beach and evening music.

Ancient and early Christian sites

Pigadia is built on the site of the ancient city of Poseidios. Parts of the ancient acropolis and Cyclopean walls remain on a hill in Pigadia. The ancient settlement site and the remains on the hill offer different ways to explore the town’s history: through its name and past, and through visible remains.

Agia Fotini also offers a glimpse into the early Christian period. The basilica in Pigadia was built on the foundations of an older ancient sanctuary. In Afoti are the ruins of Fotini, an early Christian basilica dating from the 5th to 6th century, built on the site of a sanctuary dedicated to the Dioscuri. The similar-sounding names can be distinguished by their locations: Agia Fotini refers to the basilica in Pigadia, while Fotini refers to the ruins in Afoti. Each site has its own historical context.

The Archaeological Museum of Karpathos

The Archaeological Museum of Karpathos is in Pigadia, in one of the Eparcheio’s three buildings. The complex was built during the Italian occupation and served as the island’s administrative headquarters.

The museum’s finds include objects from the prehistoric settlement of Pigadia and from the island’s three ancient cities. There are also finds from early Christian basilicas and Byzantine settlements.

The exhibits include reconstructions of a Mycenaean tomb and a temple from an early Christian basilica. A 14th-century wall painting from the ruins of the Church of the Holy Apostles is also on display. It depicts the Deesis and priests receiving communion. The reconstructions and the wall painting offer different ways to explore the exhibits: architectural forms on the one hand, and a depiction with a specific origin and subject matter on the other.

Beach and evening life in Pigadia

If you’d like to include some time by the sea alongside exploring the town’s history, Pigadia has an extensive sandy beach in town. The beach and the archaeological sites offer different ways to spend your stay, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one side of the town.

Pigadia’s nightlife includes bars playing Greek and international music, as well as large clubs and venues with live music. The evening music scene offers a different focus from the museum, acropolis and early Christian sites. When planning your trip, you can decide whether the town’s history, sandy beach or evening life is your main priority.

Discover more destinations: Olympos, Tristomo, Kasos, Fri, Diafani, Kipos Afiarti, Arkása, Lefkos.

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