Kéa
Chief place: Kéa (Khóra)
Kéa, the most westerly of the larger Cyclades, lies some 20km/12.5mi southeast of Cape Soúnion. The island's agriculture and the traditional harvesting of acorns for use in tanning have declined as a result of emigration. There is a certain amount of tourist traffic from mainland Greece.
Originally settled by Dryopians from Euboea, and later by Ionians, the island was known in antiquity as Keos. It was a "tetrapolis" of four cities - Ioulis, Karthaia, Koressia and Poiessa.
Kéa, the most westerly of the larger Cyclades, lies some 20km/12.5mi southeast of Cape Soúnion. The island's agriculture and the traditional harvesting of acorns for use in tanning have declined as a result of emigration. There is a certain amount of tourist traffic from mainland Greece.
Originally settled by Dryopians from Euboea, and later by Ionians, the island was known in antiquity as Keos. It was a "tetrapolis" of four cities - Ioulis, Karthaia, Koressia and Poiessa.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
Related Attractions
Cape Kefala (Ancient Mine Workings)
On Cape Kefála, on the north coast of Kéa, are remains of a Neolithic settlement (4000-2800 B.C.). East of this, at Otziás, are the Trypospilies (ancient mine workings).
Karthaia (Closed for Restoration)
Near the south end of the east coast of Kea are the massive terrace walls of ancient Karthaia (only accessible on foot; stout shoes recommended). On the lowest terrace are the foundations of a Doric temple of Apollo; on a 6m/20ft long block in the polygonal walls of the terrace above this can be seen an ancient inscription; and on a still higher terrace are the foundations of another temple. Higher still again are the walls of the upper town and remains of buildings.
Kea - Town, Greece
The chief place on the island of Kéa is the town of Kéa (Khóra). It lies at the foot of Mt Profítis Ilías (560m/1,837ft) on the site of ancient Ioulis, of which there are some remains within the medieval Kástro (1210). Ioulis was the home of two notable poets, Simonides and his nephew Bacchylides (sixth-fifth century B.C.).
Kea (Ceos Archeological Museum)
The Kea Archeological Museum in the town of Kea contains interesting finds from the Cycladic period.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always opened on:
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Korissia, Greece
Four km/2.5mi northwest of Kéa, on the south side of the bay of Áyios Nikólaos (in the 13th century a pirate stronghold), is the little port of Koríssia (also known as Livádi), on the site of ancient Koressia. There are remains of the ancient town walls and a sanctuary of Apollo. The Kouros of Kéa (530 B.C.) that was found here is now in the National Archeological Museum in Athens.
About 1.5km/1mi north is the seaside resort of Vourkári.
About 1.5km/1mi north is the seaside resort of Vourkári.
Lion of Kea
On a hillside, 1.5 km/1 mi northeast of the Khóra on the island of Kéa is a 9m/30ft long lion carved from the native rock (sixth century B.C.).
Panayía Kastrianí
In the northeast of the island of Kea is the monastery of the Panayía Kastrianí (18th century), from which there are fine views.
Poíessa
Above Poísses Bay, on the west coast of the island of Kéa, are scanty remains of ancient Poiessa. On the way back from here to Kéa is the abandoned monastery of Ayía Marína, near which is a well preserved tower of the fourth century B.C.
Read More
