Tilos is one of the smallest and quitest island of the Dodecanese and it is situated between Kos and Rhodes.

Tilos is of great archeologial interest as remains of prehistoric elephants have been found on the island in the Charkadio caves. Such remains are unique in Greece and consequently Tilos has been dubbed the "Island of the Elephants".

Once it was inhabitated by 2,500 persons in 9 villages, only 2 of which are inhabitated today: Livadia. The island’s current port and Megalo Chorio, the capital.

In around 1000 B.C., the Dorians settled on Tilos and in the 7^th century B.C., according to Haerodotus, the people of Tilos were joined by the Rhodians in founding the colony of Gela in Sicily. In 5^th century B.C, Tilos became a member of the Athenian League, but it later swithed its loyalties to Sparta and became independent after 394 B.C.

It remained independent and flourished at least until the end of the 4^th centuryB.C. when it was allied with Kos. Later it remained under the jurisdiction of Rhodes until its subjugation by the Romans. Throughout the Roman occupation, the Bizantine era and up until the 14^th century, its fortunes declined.

In 1310, it was captured by the knights of st. John. In 1522, after countless attacks, it finally fell to the Turks and its subsequent fate was the same as that of the others islands of the Dodecanese. It was incorporated into the Greek State in 1948.

MEGALO CHORIO.(big village)

It is the island Capital, situated in a hill is overlooked by a vast Knights’ Castle, which encloses a 16^th century Chapel with rather battered frescoes.

The Castle is reached by a stiff, half-hour climb that begins on the lane behind the Ikonomou Supermarket, near the Village entrance, and threads its way up through a vast jumble of cisterns, house foundations and derelict chapels- hints of Megalo Horio’s much greater ancient and medieval size. A massive gate- tower incorporates Classical masonry, and a block in front of the chapel bearing Greek inscriptions provides additional proof that the Kastro was built over the ancient acropolis.

From the Knights’ castle, two other fortresses are visible across the plain; the easterly one of Messaria helpfully marks the location of HARKADHIO CAVE, where Pleiocene midget elephant bones were discovered in 1971.

You will find these remains in the small Museum near the Town Council, you can visit the Museum every day except on Sunday from 9:00 to 14:00. If you find the Museum closed you can ask the key to the Museum keeper.