Travel Guide Menetes

This small village, 8 km from Pigadia, is located inland. Rather well preserved, it forms a balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea and offers beautiful panoramic views. It's a village renowned for its arts and crafts: if you're lucky, you'll still find some wonderful basketry. It's also home to most of the musicians of Karpathos: the tradition of mantinades, versified songs that are part of the Cretan musical heritage, lives on. Take the time to stop off at the kafeneio and visit the small folk museum that details local traditions, including the matriarchal system typical of Karpathos. If the museum is closed, ask for Irini, the janitor of the place, who will tell you plenty of stories of yesteryear. You can also visit the church of Panagia, whose forecourt offers a panoramic view of the village. Established in 1845, it boasts a beautiful carved wooden iconostasis. Locals say the church has witnessed many miracles. Menetes is known for its major religious celebrations, notably at Easter, but especially for the Dormition on August 15: the whole village gathers at the church dedicated to the Virgin for large panigyria, and the locals offer cakes to visitors.