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Modern Description: After turning inland from the shore of Vrónti Bay (‘Bay of Thunder'), the road climbs swiftly, passing deep clefts in the rock, to Apéri (8 km) which was the island's former capital up until 1894, during which time it was known by its mediaeval name of ‘Corachi'; it is still the seat of the Metropolitan of Karpathos and Kasos. A stream divides the village, which is set steeply over several slopes linked by a network of stepped streets; almost the only example on the island of its old wooden-balconied buildings in Anatolian style has survived just at the point where the main road crosses the stream, close to the 19th century Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, which has a finely carved and decorated inconostasis in its interior.
The street along the north side of the church leads down to Acháta on the eastern shore of the island. The route passes almost immediately beside the football pitch on the outskirts of the village: 150m beyond the modern chapel above this pitch, and reached by an indistinct path, is the late-14th/ early-15th century Church of Aghios Giorgios Arapis, constructed in un-dressed stone with a simple, vaulted interior space, finished with two equal apses. Over the door in the south wall, a fragment of ancient trabeation functions as the lintel block. The interior, once decorated with wall-paintings, has an unusual design with a double arch before the twin niches, supported on an antique column and capital. These are probably remnants from an Early Christian structure in the area. Immured into the northern niche is an upturned marble pedestal bearing an ancient inscription.
Wikidata ID: Q618227
Trismegistos Geo: 54130

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

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