Ro

Ro

Ro is a tiny rocky Greek island in the far east of the Dodecanese, less than 1.5 square kilometres, 6 km west of Kastellorizo and just a few kilometres from the Turkish coast. Bare, waterless and uninhabited today except for a small Greek army outpost, with a rugged coastline and a single small harbour.

It became famous for Despina Achladioti, the “Lady of Ro,” who lived alone on the island with her husband and then alone from 1943 until her death in 1982, raising the Greek flag every day to assert sovereignty over this remote frontier islet. Her hut and the flagpole still stand, and a monument commemorates her.

The flag island — easternmost dot with the Lady of Ro

Ro, Greece, also Rho island seen from WNW, is part of small archipelago of Kastellorizo in Dodecanese. Ro is situated 3 miles north of Kastellorizo and 73 miles southeast, located southwest of Kastellorizo, easternmost of Dodecanese group lying on edge Aegean where it meets Levantine Sea just off southwestern coast Turkey. Kastellorizo itself is far-flung easternmost island Greece 80 miles from Rhodes, 170 miles west Cyprus but just 1 mile off coast Turkey, 125 km east Rhodes 2 km from Turkish town Kas, Greece’s easternmost inhabited island at only 9 km2 3.5 sq miles compact enough to walk across under hour, total area 9.78 and 9.2km2.

Ro area 1.6 km2 or 0.62 sq mi, length 8,682 meters coastline. On island there is chapel dedicated to Saint George, two small houses and rain water well. Island belongs to municipality. Known for Despina Achladiotou Greek Δέσποινα Αχλαδιώτου more commonly known as Lady of Ro Kyra tis Ro, Greek patriot born Kastellorizo 1890 died 13 May 1982 aged 92 resting place Ro, known for flying Greek flag on island of Ro whilst living there as hermit, sole resident. She lived with husband and mother off few goats chickens vegetable garden after WWII home island ravaged, daily raising flag, buried in beloved Ro, compared to Joan d’Arc and Boudica.

FYI — why it matters, who it’s for, and what people get wrong

This is for you if you want symbolism over beaches — uninhabited islands become site of contestation between actors, iconic depiction Lady of Ro next to flag. Boat day trip to islet of Ro southwest of Kastellorizo, famous for sole inhabitant who raised Greek flag every day decades until passed 1982. It is not for resorts — no infrastructure, chapel, two houses, well. People confuse Ro with Rhodes — Ro is tiny 1.6km2 rock in Kastellorizo complex at southeasternmost edge Greek dominion 72 miles east Rhodes 2km from Turkish coast, 328 nautical miles from Piraeus. Part of polynesia island complex total area 11.9 square.

Sources

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Last Updated on September 1, 2026 by admin