Karpathos Aperi

General information

The village of Aperi is situated 8 km north of Pigadia and can easily be reached from the main road within a 15-minute drive. Established in the Middle Ages by residents of Pigadia seeking refuge from pirate raids, it lies at an altitude of 320 meters on the green slopes of Mount Hamali. Aperi holds a unique significance to the island, having served as its capital from 1700 until 1892. Today it houses around 430 inhabitants.

Aperi is one of the largest villages on the island and features a fine blend of traditional and more modern architecture, built by the nobles and Greek immigrants who came back from the USA. Here you will see white-washed houses of the Dodecanesian style, as well as colorful buildings resembling American farmhouses. The development of the village is strongly associated with the creation of the first high school of Karpathos in 1935 which enriched the cultural heritage of Aperi. Today the village has major religious importance, as it is the seat of the Archbishop of Karpathos and Kasos.

Some of the most important sights of Aperi are the ruins of a tower built in 3000 BC which can be seen on the north side of the village at Volada as well as the ruins of an ancient temple close to Achata Beach. At the top of the mountain lie the remains of an old Venetian castle. The impressive Church of Kyra Panagia dates to 1855 and houses the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

In close distance to the village, several paths lead to the pebbly Achata and the beautiful beaches of Kyra Panagia and Apella. Accommodations, cafes, and taverns are also available around the area. During the summer season, locals organize lively festivals with traditional dances and songs.