Nisyros is best known to geologists and nature lovers for its impressive volcano, which continues to declare its presence in a dramatic way, emerging vapors and gases. But few know its important historical route, its green countryside and the architecture of its four beautiful age-old settlements, which have nothing to envy from other famous settlements of the Archipelago. Nisyros's limited reputation is probably due to its small size and isolated geographical location, the mass exodus of its inhabitants in the post-war years, the absence of natural sources of drinking water, which prevented the development of large-scale tourism, and its frequent vibrations. of its land, as a result of its volcanic nature. And yet, these adverse characteristics were a hidden blessing for Nisyros, which emerges before our eyes beautiful and untouched, although it has endured the worst trials and tribulations of the 20th century. THE charm of its traditional settlements was retained, mainly because, until recently at least, it was difficult to transport modern construction materials to the island. But also because the number of people involved in the construction process was constantly increasing, locals and foreigners, who were aware of the catastrophic results of the adoption of the "established" modern architecture in urban planning and the general residential aesthetics.
The settlements are built in the direction of the east for protection from the west wind. The general principle is to save space. "A house as big as you can fit, to have a field as big as a shield", says the Nisyr proverb. The roads, small, cobbled, curved and stepped, follow the ground. Somewhere they create small or large plateaus for conversation or relaxation. They always end up in the square. In Emporio, the square is closed, embraced by the houses and the church, in Nikia it is elliptical, while in Mandraki it has been paved by the Italians.
The squares are licenses usually in the center, with the church and cafe on the side, provoke and invite locals and passers-by to spread out their chairs, dance, stand, talk about politics like in the ancient market, exchange views or goods. It hosts the frequent feasts and festivals, with the church integrated in the side, mixing the sanctuary with the public. Although the concern of the people in building the settlements was the simplicity, the function and simply the coverage of their needs, the result is complex, sculptural and of high aesthetic value. Asymmetry due to the soil, symmetry where possible, the settlements connect perfectly with the environment. They are mainly related to the land, but also to the sky and the sea. The mind, body and senses constantly work together as they are forced to constantly adapt to a perpetual dance in space.
In a simple walk you feel the traces of time imprinted in the settlement, the intense physiognomy, the historical wealth, which is experienced in the unconscious, and thus you are reconnected with history. Because it is not enough to create beautiful cities but also to visit them poetically.
The nisyriko house it is bipedal. They are not much different from each other. It is the chimney, the gutter, the stairs, the windows, the colors on the special wooden balconies that will differentiate it. On the ground floor, the bottom, in addition to cooking, is intended for weaving, kneading, baking and storage. Upstairs, the hall and the arch. An interesting is a wooden platform that is used for sleeping (alone), while storage space is created from below. Hanging pleated embroidery isolate this idiosyncratic bed. The yard is often pebbled behind the house, while in Emporios it is roofless, internal in a central point of a ' floor, refers to the atrium of the ancient Greek residence.
