|
|
|
|
||
|
Karistos - Platanistos - Komito - Zacharia - Amygthalia - Kalianos History
The history of Karistos probably began in the Stone Age. A Late Stone Age settlement has been found in the cave of Holy Trinity. According to tradition, Karistos was founded by the Dropes from Parnasso but it was later occupied by the Avantes. Karistos, together with the other Evia cities, took part in the Trojan campaign. During the Greek - Persian wars and the campaigns of Datis and Artafernis the inhabitants were forced to surrender to the Persians, after heroic resistance, and the area was sacked and looted. Afterwards Karistos was obliged to become a member of the First Athenian Alliance after being besieged by the Athenian General, Kimon. It then became a member of the Second Athenian Alliance, and it's worth noting that it was the only city that did not rebel against the Alliance in 350 B.C. It took part in the Federation of the «Evian Council» and followed the fortunes of the Evian cities during the Macedonian period and later during the Roman occupation when the city become famous for its green marble. The ancient city has been located at «Palaiochoria» and the temple of Poseidon has been excavated in the harbor of Geraistos. Karistos, during Byzantium, owing to its strategic importance, was a strongly fortified city. When the Franks came, it become an independent Feudal province and it was in this area that the legendary mediaval Knight Likarios began his activities. The Roman Knight, who was dissatisfied with the Venetians, co - operated with the Byzantine Emperor Michail Palaiologo and made a bold assault against the «Red Castle» of Karistos. Likarios captured the castle and the Emperor made him the fendal baron of the whole of Evia. This brave knight attemted to occupy the Evian Capital, the well fortified «Negroponte» without success and eventually made his parmanent residence at the nearby castle in the Lelantine plain. In 1470 A.D. Karistos together with the whole of Evia, was occupied by the Turks. When the Venetians, during the second Turkish - Venetian war, brought cristian troops to the channel of Evripus, some of the villages of the Southern Evia rebelled. Led by the local leader, Nicholas Karistino, they tried unsuccessfully to besiege the castle of Karistos.
During the Greek revolution of 18212 the Bishop of Karistos, Neofitos, was a very active in organising of Karistos. Unfortunately, the successive attempts of Nicholas Kriezotis, Ilias Mavromichalis and Odysseus Androutsos were all unsuccessful. The latter managed to besiege the fort of the city and was forced to withdraw owing to an order from the central administration. A second siege was attempted by Nicholas Kriezotis but the landing of Turkish troops brought it to an end which resulted in many atrocious acts being committedby Omer Bey against the unarmed inhabitants. Nicholas Kriezotis dared a third siege which lasted for six months. Eventually, he was forced to withdraw and there followed terrible scenes of cruelty on the part of the Turks. Later the Philo - Hellene General Favieros made an assault on the city but without success. During the later history, it is significant that the modern town planned by the Bavarian Architect Birbach who was subject to King Otto. This is why the city was called «Othonopoli» until 1862 when it a again adopted its ancient name. Karistos, therefore, acquired an excellent street plan, wide streets, large squares and an impressive sea front. |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Geographical
position and features