Nicaria, Island

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Nicaria, of old called Icaria, is an Island in the Archipelago, which hath the Island Samos on the East, Naxia on the West, Chio on the North, and the Island Patmos on the South. Its Circuit is not above 40 Miles, and is much longer than broad, and was therefore by the Greeks called Macris, or the long Island. It is called Icaria, because the Poets suppose that Icarus, the Son of Daedalus, was drown'd hereabouts. The Soil of the Island is very good, but the Inhabitants are somewhat careless in cultivating the same, because of the frequent Incursions of Pirates. On the East Coast of the Isle is a very high Tower, which they make use of for a Light-house, to prevent Mariners from running upon the dangerous Rocks which are between this Isle and Samos. It is about 200 years ago that the Turks took it, together with the Isle of Chio, from Justinian of Genoa, and is now under the Governour of Gallipoli. It formerly had a City of the same Name which was a Bishop's See under the Archbishop of Rhodes. Becman's Histor. Insul. cap. 5.