Another picturesque island of the Dodecanese that offers a peaceful vacation, Halki has been called an island of peace and friendship for all the young people of the world. It has beautiful beaches with sand and pebbles that can be reached by boat. An important attraction is the Castle of the Knights of St. John in the ruins of the ancient Acropolis, in the Chora of the island, Niborio, as well as the clock tower in front of the Town Hall and the church of Agios Nikolaos with the high bell tower. It is connected to Skala Kameiros of Rhodes, from which it is ten nautical miles away. Halki is one of the smallest islands of the Dodecanese complex. It is a beautiful island with unspoiled beauty and spotless beaches. It is located in the west of Rhodes and is 35 nm from its main port, while from Skala Kameiros it is only 11 nm. Its area reaches 28 sq. km. It is a mountainous island with stony soil. ARCHITECTURE Port of Nibori: Built at the foot of the mountain, it is today the only inhabited area of ​​Chalki. The houses of "Italian" architectural style but also neoclassical, two-story and tiled roof, with 5 windows, a large door per floor and a pediment with an "of" almo", reach all the way to the sea creating an image of island nobility. Bell tower of Agios Nikolaos (Niborios): Supported on an arch with embedded ancient marbles from the temple of Apollo. Clock: Donation of the Chalkites from abroad, in front of the Town Hall, a building of exceptional architecture with twin side staircases and rich decoration. Post Office: Built in the well-known architectural style that the Italians imposed on all of the Dodecanese, with curved lines and a geometric mood. Halki Hotel (to the left of the port): An excellent example of former aristocracy, housed in an old sponge warehouse. Kefes: Old corrals, made of large stones with a second layer of outer wall, scattered throughout Chalki. Embedded in the walls of houses and in the bell tower of Agios Nikolaos one finds ancient inscribed architectural members. POPULAR CULTURE The biggest festivals of Agios Ioannis, deeply rooted in everyone's hearts, and of Panagia Choriani bring together Chalkites from all over the world and are perhaps the most powerful elements that unite the foreigners with the locals in very close ties. Several days before the locals whitewash the churches and polish the utensils. Feast of Panagias Chorianis (15/8): On the eve, after the pilgrimage, vespers is held and a feast follows with drinks, mezes and happy or teasing couplets until the morning. Many stay to hear the morning service as well. St. John's Festival (29/8): On the eve, the monastery offers lamb from its paddocks with potatoes or spaghetti and appetizers. The next day, breakfast with honey and a fasting meal are offered. Other important festivals and events: Festival at the monastery of Stavros (14/9), feast of "Palarniotis" (8/11), Giannis tou Kontas (Bright Tuesday) in Signi, festival of Agios Georgios (in a steep location of Chalkis and in monastery of Alimnia). Feast of Panagia Ettria (23/8) in the courtyard of Ai Giannis of Alarkas. Resurrection Customs: Good Friday: After the Deposition, the church closes and reopens at 1-2am on Saturday morning, when eulogies will be heard and the epitaph will be marched from one end of the harbor to the other. The children go round the houses, bang on doors and windows with stones and shout "Get up for the epitaph". At the end of the procession, the "bakatikiasma" takes place, a kind of auction of the epitaph. The Resurrection does not take place at midnight, as in the rest of Greece, but at 3 - 4 in the morning. Second Resurrection: Under the cypress tree in the churchyard, they hang and burn "Franco", a straw man dressed in old clothes and a hat, which formerly symbolized Judas.
Source: Municipality of Chalkis dimoschalkis.gr