Hi @Helen427
This is one small, lesser-known island of the Aegean sea, Astypalaia, and it's a true gem! It's located exactly where the Dodecanese meet the Cyclades, so in typical fashion has whitewashed villages and sun-drenched beaches. Its history expands to the pre-historic times and has been inhabited since then.
According to Greek mythology, Astypalaia was a woman who was abducted by Poseidon, who was in the form of a winged fish-tailed leopard. Astypalaia was the daughter of Phoenix and Perimede. She would have two sons with Poseidon: Ancaeus (King of Samos) and Eurypylos (King of Kos). It is believed the island was named after Astypalaia.
The castle on top of the hill is the Venetian Guerini Castle (13th c). The small three-storey houses built in the castle’s outer grounds are of particular architectural interest since the outer walls of the houses form the castle wall and narrow windows were used as battlements. Within the castle, there are two churches, painted in a pure white colour, with elaborate stone belfries: Panagia Evangelistria (1853), inside which you will see the founders’ inscription dated 1413 and the Guerini coats of arms; and Agios Georgios.
A few more photos: