I + 4 : Ancient Shipwrecks around Kasos

The tiny old Harbor of Kasos accommodates a few Fishing and Leisure Boats

Last evening, we could not find a well-protected by on Kasos so we sailed 2 miles north-west to the small island of Armathia. We found a great anchor place with the most beautiful turquois water ever. It was an amazing location. Since we are one day ahead of schedule, we are going to stay here for a day.

The typical Turquois Water of our Beach on Armathia

Half of the crew decided this morning to go to Fry, Kasos harbor village. Getting fresh fish was on their mind and boy did they find it. Fry’s mayor and only police man came to check the boat papers and offered his help. He called his friends and within an hour we had four kilos of fresh groupers and snappers. Magnificent.

One of the Mayor's Friends - we bought some bigger fish though

The Fish we eventually bought were our lunch today

The rest of the group joined a bit later and together we went to visit the tiny Naval and Archeologic Museum. The Naval Museum was actually closed but Anthony, a 13-year-old boy, knew how to get the keys and let us in. And he refused to be tipped!

Anthoni opened the Naval Museum for us and let us visit for free

The museums were traditional – with 2 and 3 rooms respectively  – and had few artifacts. But the arrangements and tables were charming and showed professionalism. One full room was dedicated to the atrocities of June 1824 – someone even had made the effort to paint a large map of the gruesome event.

The Attack of the Albanian Regiment on the Kasotis in June 1824 - 201 Years ago

Kasos has recently been in the news for something completely unrelated. Between Kasos and Crete is a large gap were the Meltemi peters out and colder water from the MED pushes up north. The weather here can be harsh specifically when seasons change.

Greek Underwater Archeologists lifting ancient Artefacts from the Bottom to the Surface

Research divers from the Kasos Maritime Archeological Project scanned the area around Kasos for five years (2019 – 2024) and found ten ship wrecks at depths ranging from 20 to 50 meters. The oldest wreck dates from around 3’000 BC, the youngest sunk during World War II. The underwater archeologists found stone anchors from the Archaic Period (600 BC), a Spanish Amphora from 160 AD as well as Roman drinking vessels from Africa. The findings underline Kasos’ important role as a maritime trading center where sailors traded goods from the entire Mediterranean.

Ship planks about 2'000 years old found near Kasos

The researchers released a short documentary on YouTube which illustrates their five-year effort far better than I ever could. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=gGwqdEYr2WU

Tomorrow, we cross the gap between the Dodecanese islands and Crete. It will be six hours of sailing but the wind looks good. Windspeed should not exceed level 4. It looks like perfect sailing weather with few waves. Looking forward to finally get to Minoan territory