Kythira
Chief place: Kythira (Khóra)
Kythira (the ancient Kythera, Cythera) is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands (Eptánisos), lying 15km/9mi off the southern tip of Laconia, with rugged karstic hills slashed by numerous gorges and sheer coastal cliffs. The meager yields of the island's agriculture have led many of the younger people to emigrate, particularly to Australia.
Kythira (the ancient Kythera, Cythera) is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands (Eptánisos), lying 15km/9mi off the southern tip of Laconia, with rugged karstic hills slashed by numerous gorges and sheer coastal cliffs. The meager yields of the island's agriculture have led many of the younger people to emigrate, particularly to Australia.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Kythira's abundance of murex shellfish (producing a much valued purple dye) led to an early Phoenician settlement on the island. Later it belonged to Sparta, and the Phoenician cult of the goddess Astarte gave rise to the Greek cult of Aphrodite, who was believed to have emerged from the sea in a large shell off the coast of Kythira. As a military stronghold off the coast of Lacedaemon the island was of great strategic importance in ancient times.
Under Venetian rule (from 1207) Kythira was known as Cerigo. Thereafter, as a late addition to the Eptánisos, it shared the destinies of the Ionian Islands. It was reunited with Greece in 1864, and on occasion served as a place of exile for opponents of the government.
Although the island is actually part of the chain of Ionian Islands, it is most accessible from the southern tip of the Peloponnese.
Under Venetian rule (from 1207) Kythira was known as Cerigo. Thereafter, as a late addition to the Eptánisos, it shared the destinies of the Ionian Islands. It was reunited with Greece in 1864, and on occasion served as a place of exile for opponents of the government.
Although the island is actually part of the chain of Ionian Islands, it is most accessible from the southern tip of the Peloponnese.
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Avlemona, Greece
On the east coast of Kithira lies the bay of Avlémona (or Áyios Nikólaos), where the yacht "Mentor", carrying some of the Elgin marbles, ran aground in 1802; the marbles were subsequently recovered and sent on to Britain.
Ayía Pelayía
North of Palaiókhora, in a wide bay of the northeast coast of Kythira is the island's second port, Ayía Pelayía, where during the military dictatorship (1967-74) political opponents of the regime lived in exile.
This is one of the island's two main ports. It is situated on the north coast, 28km from Kythira town. This developing resort is linked by bus with the capital and the larger villages.
This is one of the island's two main ports. It is situated on the north coast, 28km from Kythira town. This developing resort is linked by bus with the capital and the larger villages.
Collection of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art
The Collection of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art in Kythira, which includes wall paintings, mosaics, silverwork, metalwork and pottery, is housed in the Post-Byzantine church of Ascension at Livadi.
Islets
There are numerous rocky islets off the coasts of Kythira: to the south Avgó, with the Blue Grotto, to the east the two Dragonéra islands (with some cultivated land).
Kapsali, Greece
Kapsáli is the main tourist center on the island of Kythira. It is a charming twin harbor line by beaches - Yialos, Sparangario and Kapsalaki.
Kythera - Cave of St Sophia
Near the village of Milopótamos is the Cave of St Sophia, above Kokala Bay. There is a small chapel here dedicated to this saint.
Kythira - Town, Greece
At the southern tip of the island, high above the bay and harbor of Kapsáli, lies the charming village of Kythira (Khóra; pop. 750), the chief place on the island of the same name. Above the village is a massive Venetian castle (16th c.).
Kythira Archeological Museum
The Kythira Archeological Museum contains an important collection of Minoan vases, Mycenaean pottery and finds from the Archaic and classical periods.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
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)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Livádi
Not far from Kythira Khora is the town of Livádi. Some points of interest in here are the 12th Century church of Ayio Andreas and some nearby monasteries.
Panayía Myrtidiótissa
10km/6mi northwest of Kapsáli is the 17th century monastery of the Panayía Myrtidiótissa, with an icon which is revered as wonderworking.
An annual fair is held at the monastery at the end of September.
An annual fair is held at the monastery at the end of September.
Potamos, Greece
Potamós is the largest village on the island and is Kythira's main marketplace. It lies 19 km from Kythira Khora. There is a Byzantine church here dedicated to the St Theadore and the churches of Áyios Ioannis, Áyia Anastasia and the Saviour (Sotiros) are also worth a visit for their fine icons and frescoes.
