“Travel” to Astypalea in 1986 Through Rare Archival Footage
Over the past decade, Astypalea has undoubtedly stood out among the countless tourist destinations of Greece. Its amphitheatrical main town (Chora), the unique views of the Aegean Sea from every corner of the island, and the authentic hospitality of its inhabitants captivate more and more visitors each year who choose to discover it up close.
Yet, there were travelers who had “discovered” it long before tourism blossomed. Adventurers from various European countries, who—in a time very different from what younger generations know today—arrived at the Old Port of Astypalea, where every moment spent on the island became a vivid experience they would remember for years to come.
Among the hundreds of explorers who roamed the Dodecanese with a passion for traditional imagery during the second half of the last century, only a few recorded their journeys with the cameras of their time. The limited archival footage that exists of daily life in those decades is incredibly valuable and evokes strong emotions.
In the summer of 1986, British amateur filmmaker Andrew Graham Bonar was one such traveler. As he first laid eyes on the Castle of Astypalea from the deck of the ship “Nireus”, he was struck by its beauty. During his brief stay on the island, he experienced the warm island hospitality of the locals and, with his camera always in hand, captured rare footage from various parts of the traditional settlement.
As with most tourists even today, the first destination of the British traveler—after resting for a few hours—was the imposing Venetian Castle of Chora, which towers above the dozens of whitewashed houses with their characteristic architecture. Starting from the windmills next to the island’s main square, and following an interesting walk through the picturesque cobbled alleys of the settlement, he passed through the famous gate of the Castle of the Querini family and learned about the significant history of Astypalaia through the ages.
The following day, with the same eagerness to explore and connect with the local Astypalians of all ages, he walked through Pera Gialos. There, he toured the island’s primary school, which was full of life, with dozens of students playing in the schoolyard just as they do today. He also took the opportunity to chat with fishermen at the small harbor, learning about their daily island life.
The journey to Astypalaia in 1986 came to an end for the Briton at the old port of Pera Gialos, where he enjoyed for one last time a panoramic view of the most beautiful Chora in the Aegean, just before continuing on to neighboring Amorgos. The brief footage he captured from the stern of the ship managed to “transport” many others to their own romantic moments of departure — moments filled with emotion and anticipation until they could return once more to Astypalaia…
Text: Antonis Nikolakakis
