On the southeastern
coast of the island, 71 km away from the center of Rhodes on the road from
Gennadi to Apolakkia, we come across Vati, a tiny picturesque village, unspoiled
by time and evolution, inhabited by just a handful of people. Its residents hang
out in the small traditional cafés [kafeneia],
playing cards or sipping their coffee; cafés that serve as a small grocery
store or –sometimes- a post office. Friendly, smiling villagers welcome you and
stand ready to help you with whatever you need. Safeguarding their traditions
and religious faith seems to be crucial for the inhabitants of Vati; something
that is more than evident from their way of life, as well as the existence of so
many churches in the village.
The village lies
between pine trees and centuries-old evergreen olive groves that are said to
date back to the archaic period of Cleobulus of Lindos. At the central square
of the village there is the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos [St. John the Theologian], a sample of
the Dodecanese architecture, an order with Gothic features found only in the
Dodecanese and the coasts of Asia Minor, as well as a newer temple dedicated to
Agios Savvas [St. Savvas]. Other
interesting chapels are those of Agios Georgios [Saint George], built in the 14th century, Agios Raphail
[Saint Raphael], the post-Byzantine
monastery of Archangel Michael “Paralimniotis” and Panagia Galatousa [Virgin Mary “Galatousa” (nursing)], where
there is a rare 14th century icon that depicts Virgin Mary
breastfeeding Jesus. If you walk all the way up to the fire lookout tower on
Agios Ioannis’ [St. John’s] Hill, you
will admire a view that is breathtaking. Nature lovers can wander along rural roads
to admire the nature, while history buffs can discover well-hidden Italian
fortifications, watermills and dozens of ancient tombs from the Mycenaean and Geometric
periods, as well as findings such as pots and gold jewelry.
