Nikia
Nikia’s greatest gem is the tiny, 15th century church of Aghia Triada– (100m downhill south of the village, directly below the cemetery, tucked under some stairs to the right of the pathway. Unlocked). It is a single-vaulted chapel entirely covered with 15th century paintings of consider able stylistic sophistication, though in poor condition in places. Scenes of the lives of Mary and of Jesus cover the vault. The technical quality of the depiction of faces (v. the angels beside Christ as he holds the shrouded soul of Mary) and of drapery and pose (v. the seated Mary above the west door) is remarkably fine for such a remote and humble building. The work here is a beautiful example of its kind in the smaller islands, and the church is a profoundly peaceful place to visit.
Below Nikia the road winds downhill, amongst cultivated terraces with many neatly constructed stone sheds and storehouses, to the deserted harbour of Avlaki, once also a centre for thermal bathing. Warm water still rises weakly at the edge of the harbour, and the thermal buildings and changing rooms stand abandoned behind. Just above the harbour is the church of Aghios Panteleimon, which has some interesting ancient spolia—a Byzantine door-frame and pagan altar with bucrania.
Nisyros Island is part of the Dodecanese Island Group, Greece.