In this 1687 map, titled “Insula Scarpanto”, the author uses Italianized and Venetian-era names to describe places of Karpathos that presently go by totally different nominations. What is in modern day called the Port of Diafani, is transcribed as Porto Audimo; Lefkos beach is noted as Lauri or Laura; the Southern village of Arkasa (really close to Arpathea Villas) appears to be the 17th century settlement of Argalia; Porta asprea most likely corresponds to modern day Apella beach. The Italian cultural influence is also strongly reflected in the name the author attributes to Karpathos itself, i.e. Scharpanto. This is no surprise, since the whole island of Karpathos was known as Scarpanto in many historical sources. Through this educational game of nomenclature and folklore mapping of Karpathos, we can also discern that the famous village of Olympos has gone by almost the same name over the centuries: the cartographer uses the name “Olimbo”.
Other interesting observations also emerge from the map. First, northern Karpathos is shown as partially separated, reflecting the old perception of the rugged terrain around today’s Saria and Olympos region. Second, fortified settlements – noted as “Castro”- are emphasized more than beaches or roads, because these maps were designed mainly for sailors and administrators rather than visitors.
| Name on 1687 Map | Present-Day Name | Notes |
| Olimbo | Olympos | The famous mountain village in northern Karpathos. The old Italian/Venetian spelling “Olimbo” survived for centuries. |
| Scharpanto | Karpathos | The whole island was known in Italian as Scarpanto. |
| Lauri / Laura | Lefkos (possible) | Likely an older coastal settlement name near today’s west coast villages. |
| Argalia | Arkasa | The southern historic village and ancient acropolis area. |
| Poligroti | Pigadia (possible early form) | Could refer to the area around the modern capital. |
| S. Zorzi | St. George area | “San Zorzi” is Venetian for Saint George; probably a church or coastal chapel no longer used as a settlement name. |
| Castro / Castro calamo | Castle/Kastro locations | Several medieval fortified settlements on Karpathos were labeled simply “Castro” (castle). |
| Porto audimo | Diafani or another harbor | “Porto” clearly indicates a harbor settlement in the north-east. |
| Porta asprea | Apella / exposed eastern cape | The wording suggests a rugged eastern coastal point. |
| Promontorio | Southern cape region | Generic Italian term meaning “headland” or “cape.” |
| Monte gomelo | Mountain interior | Probably refers to one of the island’s central mountain masses. |