Something to think about

[Enforcer]

Ahh, the old sauna - men only

[Liz]

A bath ? For very small people

[charlie]

It is a cistern, only bigger than the ones found atop of WCs. It would store rainwater just as the modern houses on Halki have them under the balcony with an electric pump for when the boat doesn't come in, Hinny.

[Deleted]

[Di]

OK so it's not a mosque (just a suggestion, they have them on Kos). Thought at first it might be an animal shelter, but then remembered it was Greece Is it a kyfe/kyfi

[muriman]

Perhaps the Americans would call it an AIDD - Anti Infidel Defence Device. (Or in American, Anti Infidel Defense Device). I get the impression that the white wall on the left of the photo was at one time much higher.

But what about Zeus's seat?

[Deleted]

The truth is, I don't know. However, many years ago, I was walking past it with an elderly gent, a great friend of mine, who had been born in Halki prior to WW2. He later had a highly successful career in other parts of Europe and the USA but during his early years had much involvement with Turkey, mostly as a result of wartime activities.
He had a very keen interest in anything to do with Halki history and was a font of knowledge. I have never had an opportunity to get inside that structure but it seemed that he, at some point had. He told me that inside there is evidence of a water trough running right round. The small slits are at eye level. It clearly had an arched entrance and historically would have looked much more impressive than it currently does. It was his theory that it was directly associated with Mosque etiquette and was the building used by men to cleanse themselves prior to prayer. He intimated that in small communities, the cleansing would normally only have involved hands, arms and faces. How close to fact this theory may be, I really don't know but, I have a feeling it may not be too far removed from the truth. I never uncovered flaws in other stories he related so, I am happy to go along with it. I'll get my coat now before somebody shoots me down in flames
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2011.

[Deleted]

Well there is a senior moment!!! 2012 would be a better bet-sorry

[muriman]

Never mind the senior moment, I think you were right the first time, sth. As things are, and in a Greek context, wishing people a happy 2011 is about as far ahead as can reasonably be seen.

[Deleted]

Indeed. Fraught times all round.

[johnr]

My assumption has always been that it was a cistern (stirna). However, I have seen another building very similar to it, at Eftalou in Lesbos, which houses a volcanic hot water bath. No hot springs on Halki that I know of, but it tends to support the theory that it has some kind of bath-related function.

[Liz]

Bath !!! .. I said bath !!

[Kinygos]

Mosque etiquette

Is/was there a Mosque on the island?

The ritual cleansing is for both men and women (NOT together!) and the facilities are within the Mosque; again for obvious reasons so that once clean you stay on clean ground.

For those reasons I doubt that explanation, not that I have any better ideas. Unless it was one of those small Orthodox chapels that get built in memorium. In which case I doubt that it would have been allowed to deteriorate.

A mystery.

[Deleted]

The Turks resident on Halki during the long years of occupation certainly worshipped somewhere. Much has changed there over the years and the place of worship may well have been close by. I prefer to believe the theory put forward by an educated source be it true or not. Who knows! I doubt we will ever know. I'm out. More important things to think about, like trying to find an excuse not to go Christmas shopping

[Handa]

With Christmas coming this 'Something to thinkabout' is how many bells are there in the tallest belltower in the Dodacanese?
and how many times will they be rung on Christmas day ?