Kythira Travel Guide By Teo & SuperHost365
Αξιοθέατα
The island’s most characteristic monument is the castle of Chora! The castle or “Fortezza” was built in the 13th century when Kythera was dominated by the Venetians. The “Eye of Crete” as it was also called due to its strategic position, providing the observance of ships on three seas simultaneously – the Ionian, Aegean and Cretan, was built over different phases of the island’s history, but the biggest and main part including the facade was built in 1503 by the Venetians, who repaired and reconstructed it. At the castle’s entrance you can see the tunnel or else “fossa”! The Venetian emblem of the lion of St. Mark used to be on that front wall, but it was destroyed along with the Nobility Book and the coats of arms by the French in 1797. On the left side of the castle’s entrance you can see the prison and a little further up on the right of the southwest part the huge Venetian reservoir with domes and arches.
In the middle of the castle you’ll notice a few ruined two-storey houses, as 200 years ago there were 200 inhabitants in the castle, the last one left during the Occupation when the conquerors commandeered the buildings. A further 30m walk will get you in front of the gunpowder magazine, a building with walls more than one meter thick and right next to it, the church of Pantokratoras, filled with old murals. The castle’s old headquarters are located in front of the church; the building now houses the Historical Archive of Kythera. Crossing the big tunnel underneath the headquarters you’ll reach the headquarters square with the big 16th century church – originally the Catholic “Our Lady of the Latins”. In 1806 the church was inaugurated as orthodox, commemorating Mirtidiotissa. Next to it is the church of “Panaghia Orfani” which kept the icon and heirlooms of the Agarathos monastery in Iraklion for 300 years, since Crete was dominated by the Turks. The church of Mirtidiotissa also kept the homonymous icon in times of pirate raids outbreak until 1842, when the icon returned to the monastery of Mirtidia and an 1844 copy was left in the castle instead.
Outside the fortress there is a second wall to the north, surrounding Klistos Vourgos with many churches and houses. There are several cannons in the castle, dating from the Venetian, the Russo-Turkish and the English period. Two of Mirtidiotissa’s miracles are associated with the castle and displayed at the bottom of the icon. One has to do with the ship that carried the precious metal for the icon’s dress from Crete and was threatened by pirates. The second relates to the lightning that struck the castle in 1829 and passed in front of the image and the adjacent gunpowder magazine without causing any damage.
Chora Kithira Castle
The island’s most characteristic monument is the castle of Chora! The castle or “Fortezza” was built in the 13th century when Kythera was dominated by the Venetians. The “Eye of Crete” as it was also called due to its strategic position, providing the observance of ships on three seas simultaneously – the Ionian, Aegean and Cretan, was built over different phases of the island’s history, but the biggest and main part including the facade was built in 1503 by the Venetians, who repaired and reconstructed it. At the castle’s entrance you can see the tunnel or else “fossa”! The Venetian emblem of the lion of St. Mark used to be on that front wall, but it was destroyed along with the Nobility Book and the coats of arms by the French in 1797. On the left side of the castle’s entrance you can see the prison and a little further up on the right of the southwest part the huge Venetian reservoir with domes and arches.
In the middle of the castle you’ll notice a few ruined two-storey houses, as 200 years ago there were 200 inhabitants in the castle, the last one left during the Occupation when the conquerors commandeered the buildings. A further 30m walk will get you in front of the gunpowder magazine, a building with walls more than one meter thick and right next to it, the church of Pantokratoras, filled with old murals. The castle’s old headquarters are located in front of the church; the building now houses the Historical Archive of Kythera. Crossing the big tunnel underneath the headquarters you’ll reach the headquarters square with the big 16th century church – originally the Catholic “Our Lady of the Latins”. In 1806 the church was inaugurated as orthodox, commemorating Mirtidiotissa. Next to it is the church of “Panaghia Orfani” which kept the icon and heirlooms of the Agarathos monastery in Iraklion for 300 years, since Crete was dominated by the Turks. The church of Mirtidiotissa also kept the homonymous icon in times of pirate raids outbreak until 1842, when the icon returned to the monastery of Mirtidia and an 1844 copy was left in the castle instead.
Outside the fortress there is a second wall to the north, surrounding Klistos Vourgos with many churches and houses. There are several cannons in the castle, dating from the Venetian, the Russo-Turkish and the English period. Two of Mirtidiotissa’s miracles are associated with the castle and displayed at the bottom of the icon. One has to do with the ship that carried the precious metal for the icon’s dress from Crete and was threatened by pirates. The second relates to the lightning that struck the castle in 1829 and passed in front of the image and the adjacent gunpowder magazine without causing any damage.
when you'll visit the island and you are of adventures and like to explore, don't miss to check the web site of Kythira trails.https://kytheratrails.gr
6 yerel halk öneriyor
Kythira
when you'll visit the island and you are of adventures and like to explore, don't miss to check the web site of Kythira trails.https://kytheratrails.gr
Places to visit
Located in the southern part of the island of Kythira. Seaside village it is built along two beautiful leeward gulf with sandy beach forming omega. It is the cosmopolitan area of Kythira and attracts youth for the night life, but also notable cultural places. The location offers spectacular view in the Chora to the Castle, the Monastery of Agios. Ioannis, where there is said that he started writing disclosure before departing for Patmos, and to the south the island Chytra with the Cretan sea. From the Kapsali run tours to the island Chytra, which is inside the large cave in blue phosphorescent waters and monk seals.
In Kapsali there are several tourist accommodation units, cafes, restaurants and lively nightlife.
Kapsáli
Located in the southern part of the island of Kythira. Seaside village it is built along two beautiful leeward gulf with sandy beach forming omega. It is the cosmopolitan area of Kythira and attracts youth for the night life, but also notable cultural places. The location offers spectacular view in the Chora to the Castle, the Monastery of Agios. Ioannis, where there is said that he started writing disclosure before departing for Patmos, and to the south the island Chytra with the Cretan sea. From the Kapsali run tours to the island Chytra, which is inside the large cave in blue phosphorescent waters and monk seals.
In Kapsali there are several tourist accommodation units, cafes, restaurants and lively nightlife.
Mylopotamos is one of the most beautiful medieval villages of Kythira. It is divided into three settlements which are Kato Chora, Limionas and Agia Sophia. Alluringly verdant, set in a wooden valley, this village is an oasis in the summer. It is located 15 km west of Chora, the capital of Kythira.
On its central square, a little church and a nice kafeneion are standing under the shadow of the trees. A waterfall called Neraida (water nymph) adds even more to the lovely image of the square. Kato Chora is the settlement with the oldest traditional architecture characteristics of the English school and the Venetian fortress.
This abandoned Kastro is built on the extension of a rock. It is small and was a refuge for the inhabitants, in case of an attack. In the entrance of the fortress is the well-preserved symbol of Venetian domination, the lion of Saint Markos.
Inside the walls, houses and exceptional Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches have been maintained. Among them is the church of Agios Athanasios, Panagia Mesosporitissa and Agios Ioannis Prodromos.
From Kato Chora, a beautiful stone paved road leads to the astonishing cliffs of Limionas, a rocky bay with fine white sand. Another road leads from the centre of the medieval village to the very interesting sightseeing of the cave of Agia Sophia which entrance has been used as a church and has a beautiful iconostasis carved in the rock with important Byzantine frescoes: it is the beautiful small monastery of Panagia tis Orfanis (the Virgin Mary of the Orphans).
A wonderful ravine begins before Mylopotamos and passes through it ends, forming a small waterfall called Fonissa (murderer) of a particular natural beauty. Mylopotamos offers a few hostels, one restaurant near the waterfall and a lovely kafenion.
19 yerel halk öneriyor
Milopotamos
Mylopotamos is one of the most beautiful medieval villages of Kythira. It is divided into three settlements which are Kato Chora, Limionas and Agia Sophia. Alluringly verdant, set in a wooden valley, this village is an oasis in the summer. It is located 15 km west of Chora, the capital of Kythira.
On its central square, a little church and a nice kafeneion are standing under the shadow of the trees. A waterfall called Neraida (water nymph) adds even more to the lovely image of the square. Kato Chora is the settlement with the oldest traditional architecture characteristics of the English school and the Venetian fortress.
This abandoned Kastro is built on the extension of a rock. It is small and was a refuge for the inhabitants, in case of an attack. In the entrance of the fortress is the well-preserved symbol of Venetian domination, the lion of Saint Markos.
Inside the walls, houses and exceptional Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches have been maintained. Among them is the church of Agios Athanasios, Panagia Mesosporitissa and Agios Ioannis Prodromos.
From Kato Chora, a beautiful stone paved road leads to the astonishing cliffs of Limionas, a rocky bay with fine white sand. Another road leads from the centre of the medieval village to the very interesting sightseeing of the cave of Agia Sophia which entrance has been used as a church and has a beautiful iconostasis carved in the rock with important Byzantine frescoes: it is the beautiful small monastery of Panagia tis Orfanis (the Virgin Mary of the Orphans).
A wonderful ravine begins before Mylopotamos and passes through it ends, forming a small waterfall called Fonissa (murderer) of a particular natural beauty. Mylopotamos offers a few hostels, one restaurant near the waterfall and a lovely kafenion.
Avlemonas is a traditional fishing settlement located 19 km north east of Chora, the capital of Kythira. Built in Cycladic style, Avlemonas is one of the island's most beautiful villages known for the numerous miniscule stunning gulfs and lush vegetation that create an astounding natural backdrop. The hiking tours and delighful walks across the enchanting landscape are a treat for every visitor.
The whitewashed houses with the blue windows and the flowered gardens constitute one of the main attractions of the village. The picturesque port of Avlemonas serves as a shelter for fishing boats and caiques. When the weather is clear, you can also visit the neighbour island of Antikythira.
The most important historical site of Avlemonas is Kastelo, a tiny 16th century Venetian castle built at the entrance of the port. It was used as a watchtower during the Venetian period and today it is the main tourist attraction, idyllic for long moonlit walks, sparking romanticism of a bygone era.
The beach, right next to the small port dominating the settlement of Avlemonas is ideal for swimming. The sea here is sparkling and clear with soft sand and plenty of accommodation facilities. It is connected to Paleochori, the largest beach of Kythira.
17 yerel halk öneriyor
Avlemonas
Avlemonas is a traditional fishing settlement located 19 km north east of Chora, the capital of Kythira. Built in Cycladic style, Avlemonas is one of the island's most beautiful villages known for the numerous miniscule stunning gulfs and lush vegetation that create an astounding natural backdrop. The hiking tours and delighful walks across the enchanting landscape are a treat for every visitor.
The whitewashed houses with the blue windows and the flowered gardens constitute one of the main attractions of the village. The picturesque port of Avlemonas serves as a shelter for fishing boats and caiques. When the weather is clear, you can also visit the neighbour island of Antikythira.
The most important historical site of Avlemonas is Kastelo, a tiny 16th century Venetian castle built at the entrance of the port. It was used as a watchtower during the Venetian period and today it is the main tourist attraction, idyllic for long moonlit walks, sparking romanticism of a bygone era.
The beach, right next to the small port dominating the settlement of Avlemonas is ideal for swimming. The sea here is sparkling and clear with soft sand and plenty of accommodation facilities. It is connected to Paleochori, the largest beach of Kythira.