The festival of Panagia Spiliani. It takes place on the fifteenth of August and is the most well-known custom - event of the island. The Nisyrians have composed their own hymns for the celebration. After the Vespers service, a fasting dinner and traditional loukumades are offered. During the procession of Orthros, the bathing of the Virgin Mary takes place accompanied by obituaries by the nuns who have also brought the materials for the bathing. The nuns are women who have committed to spend 9 days and nights of prayer in the cells of the monastery, offering various tasks for the cleaning and preparation of the monastery during the festival. After the end of the liturgy, the bath is transferred together with the icon of the Virgin and accompanied by a procession of the celebrants from the Abbot to the dining room of the monastery.
ARCHITECTURE
The settlements of Mandraki, Emporio and Nikia are today considered traditional, while the settlement of Palo is not characterized.
Mandraki:
White two-story houses with abstract geometric forms as well as Renaissance-style mansions and neoclassical ones make up the architectural uniqueness of the capital.
Emporios:
Simple houses, built of volcanic stone next to two-story neoclassical ones with peculiar sloping roofs and elaborate lintels.
Nikia:
Built with a panoramic view of the Aegean and the caldera. Mansions are faithfully and tastefully restored, while every meter of land is utilized. The cobbled and white square is characterized by architectural syncretism.
POPULAR CULTURE
The festival of Panagia Spiliani in Mandraki is the most important event of the island with the attendance of people from all over the Dodecanese and lasts 9 days (6 - 15/8).
The other main festivals of Nisyros are: Saint Nikitas (20 & 21/6), patron saint of the island of Mandraki, with a procession of the icon, the festival at the Monastery of Panagia Kyra (23/8), at the Monastery of Stavros near Nikia ( 1 - 4/9), in the Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria (Easter Tuesday), of the Holy Apostles in the village of Paloi (30/8), of Agios Panteleimon in the location of Avlaki (27/7), in the Monastery of Panagia Kyra (1S/8 ), in the monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Nikia (26/9), Archangel Michael in Emporio (8/11), the Entrance of the Virgin in Nikia (22/11).
In the summer, a traditional wedding is organized with a three-day feast. The traditional events and ceremonies (local weddings and baptisms) are open to visitors.
In the settlements there are several traditional mills and olive presses.
CULTURAL EVENTS
Folklore and cultural events are organized in the summer months. One day from the first ten days of August is organized "The festival of Sumada", with traditional live music, plenty of Sumada and other traditional products.

Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou