Sponge fishing-Kalymnos the sponge divers' island-Dodekanissos - Greece - Traditional activities

Traditional houses for sale in Kalymnos, in Greece

Kalymnos' airport is in operation

Sponge Fishing in Kalymnos island

Sponge fishing in Kalymnos had been distinguished as the basic wealth-producing source of the island. At the same time the surge of money from sponge exportations served other economic activities on the island.

Simultaneously, a new urban class was created,

the class of major ship owners and sponge traders.

Nikolaos Vouvalis was distinguished (1859-1918)

as the greatest sponge trader in the world.

In 1895 there were twenty Kalymnian sponge houses all over the world.

In 1908 huge preparations took place, as it was rumoured that in the sea of Port-Side there was abundance of sponges. However, nothing was found and the economic destruction led many Kalymnians to America, to Tarpon - Springs.

There, practising sponge fishing,

they again became very successful.

Tarpon-Springs was colonized by the Kalymnians

and is still called “The second Kalymnos”.

During the 2nd World War the Kalymnian fleet was destroyed due to fire that broke out in the shipyard, where it was assembled.

From then on, a titanic struggle begins to reconstruct sponge fishing

and indeed, 60-70% of the residents

deal with sponge fishing during the first post-war years

and the sponge is the only exported product of Dodecanese.

Home