Paleokastro
Situated near Paleopolis on a hill top. Traces of inhabitance lead back to the Geometrical Age. In 1999, the Kytherian archaeologist and professor Ioannis Petrohilos performed an excavational research at the top of the hill of Paleokastro, next to the church of Agios Georgios (altitude 323 m), where he located a sanctuary which had been in use from the Geometrical age through to the Hellenistic age. From the findings, it is possible that the sanctuary was devoted to Aphrodite. In Paleocastro, the ruins of buildings and walls of the city of Kythera and the Acropolis are preserved. The excavational findings were various pots, caps of compasses, censers, copper accessories such as pins, rings and others. The excavational research was extended for the following years.
Paleopolis - Skandia
In the area of Paleopolis lies the ancient harbor of Skandia, which was the harbor of the capital city Kythera. The harbor sunk due to the earthquake in 375 A.D. In the past archaeological studies have been performed in the area. The ancient tombs in Skandia are visitable.
Minoan Peak Sanctuary
In 1992 the archaeologist Yiannis Sakelarakis and his team discovered an unlooted sanctuary in the mountain of Agios Georgios. This was the surveillance point from which Minoans controlled the Kytherian waters. Here, information was also transmitted visually via torch system between Peloponnese and Crete. In the excavations, pottery and stone utensils, earthenware jars, statuettes etc were found.
Mikri Dragonara (Antidragonera)
A sanctuary possibly devoted to “Gigeouhos” Poseidon, protector of the earth’s surface and god of earthquakes. Coins from 54 cities and kingdoms of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea were found during the excavations which were carried out in late nineties by a group of excavators led by the archaeologist Aris Tsavaropoulos. Pottery amphorae for offerings were also found. A small harbor facility has been preserved, of which the 9 stone anchors found are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Hora.
Housti and Sanctuary
The cave of Housti is located in Diakofti, the island’s main harbor. It is an underground cave with an area of approximately 800 m2. At the beginning of the decade, an extensive archaeological research was launched that brought to light significant findings dated about 3.800 B.C. The cave was also used later on, with significant findings from the Classical age and the Roman age. Among other things, the cave was used as worship area.
Kastelo, the Fortress of Saint Francisco
The Kytherian Sea forms the Western entrance to Aegean Sea. Sailing by the coast of the area has always been deemed dangerous and Cape Maleas, the cape of the Eastern Laconian peninsula, marks the most difficult point for sailors. For this reason, a safe port was needed in the area for passing vessels to stop in case of rough seas. The ancient city of Skandia's harbor in Kastri, as well as the subsequent harbor of Agios Nikolaos, today’s Avlemonas, were offered for safe mooring. To the West of Avlemonas is a Venetian fortress, the fortress of Saint Francisco. It was built by the Venetians in 1565 in an effort to control the island and the area from foreign raids. It is shaped octagonally and has the following architectonical characteristics: cannon windows, square, central tower, cannons.
The Fortress of Chora - Kythera Town
This is the best preserved fortress of the island. It was built in the 13th century by Veniers, yet earlier facilities may have already existed in the area. It was renovated by the Venetians in 1503 and consists of the main fortress and a contiguous area with a second fortification which surrounds the Mesa Vourgos settlement. In the castle there are the churches of Panayia Myrtidiotissa, Panayia Orfani, Pantokratoras and Agios Ioannis. The castle also still holds the Historic Archive of Kythera which is located in the palace, the old governor’s residency and houses of nobles. In Mesa Vourgo settlement there are 14 churches. Sempreviva, a plant with a small yellow flower endemic to Kythera, grows between the castle's rocks. The view from the castle is breathtaking.
Paleochora
The Byzantine capital of the island was built in the 13th century. Agios Dimitrios, as it was called, was a secure fortress built at Kakia Lagada gorge and could be accessed only from the Southeastern side. The houses were built closely together and tradition says that there were 70 churches inside the settlement. 21 churches are preserved today. Kakia Lagada canyon flows to the northern coasts, to the east of Agia Pelagia. The city of Agios Dimitrios was not visible from anywhere and therefore made a safe fortress that protected its inhabitants from pirate raids. In 1537 the pirate Hairedin Barbarossa, who was a janissary of the Turkish navy, destroyed Agios Dimitrios city and massacred the population, taking many of its inhabitants by force and selling them off to slave markets.
The visit to Paleohora is an amazing experience. This wild natural place stimulates and fascinates you. The legends come to life at night when, as some locals say, the voices and shouts of the massacred inhabitants are echoed inside the canyon! Spectacular Byzantine technique is evident in the construction and the wall paintings of the churches, especially of Agia Varvara which is situated to the North of the city’s propylaea (monumental gateway). Pay attention the wild goats which climb the steep canyon cliff-sides.
With proper equipment and a healthy desire for adventure you may venture behind the church of Agia Varvara and explore this fascinating canyon. Watch out because danger level is high.
Kato Hora
This is one of three medieval housing settlements, together with Paleochora and the Castle of Hora. Kato Hora is a Venetian fortress which was built in 1565. Inside the fortress, the main neighborhood is preserved with many houses still in good condition, and many churches in which Byzantine frescos and decorations are preserved. The Lion of St. Marcus, the emblem of the Most Serene Democracy of Venice, dominates the fortress' entrance.
Katouni Bridge
The Katouni Bridge was built in 1826, during the British age. It is one of the bridges built by the British in Europe, with a length of 110 meters, width of 6 meters and maximum height 15 meters. The bridge rests on 13 arches and 13 cylindrical openings in absolute symmetry. According to the legend, the English commissioner Mackwell fell in love with a young woman who resided in the Katouni settlement. He made the decision to build a bridge nearby and to come frequently to oversee the works progress. This way, he would be able to see and meet with her. In fact, this bridge was to be a part of the road which would connect the capital city of Kythera with the harbor of Avlemonas. The road was never completed since the British left in 1864 after the union of the Ionian Islands with mainland Greece. Today this bridge is one of the island’s most important monuments.
Potamos Bridge
Constructed in 1823 by the English commissioner Mackwell. The bridge has seven arches and is constructed from rock and concrete. Its dimensions are 60 meters length, 6,80 meters width and maximum height 16 meters.
The Milapidea School
During their stay in Kythera, the British built many schools and obliged Kytherians to attend. Those who did not send their children to the British schools to receive a British education were forced to pay taxes and work in public sectors. The school of Milapidea is situated at a high point above Livadi and is a representative example of the British architecture applied to the island. Like many other British schools, it is preserved in very good condition.
Faros Moudariou (Moudari Lighthouse)
Constructed in 1857 by the British, the Faros is one of the largest lighthouses of the Greek seas. It is situated at the Northern part of the island on the cape of Spathi. It has a height of 25 meters. In order to visit the lighthouse, one must follow the path that leads towards it. The inhabitants of Karavas can give you more information on how to find it. If you are lucky, the lighthouse keeper might permit you to see the interior of the lighthouse as well. The signal room provided information to all ships which passed by the area. A place of unbelievable magic. In good weather you can see all of the Laconian bay, from cape Maleas to cape Tenaro.
The windmills
As on many other islands in the Greek territory, you can find many windmills on Kythera, built in the 19th century. Their use was continuously connected with the agricultural production of the area. Kythera's strong and frequent winds favored their operation. Topographically, they can be found on the outskirts of settlements, in points easily accessible from cultivated areas. They are constructed either in pairs or alone. Built from stone, the windmills have an external diameter of 5-6 meters, while their height varies from 4,5-5,5 meters. The entrance usually holds a framework of chiseled porous stone. In some windmills, the masonry consists mainly of porous stone. The mills of Kythera were used for grinding wheat, until in the 20th century they slowly started being abandoned. In 1995 the last windmill of the island stopped operating. Many mills are preserved today in good condition.
The watermills
Most watermills of the island are located in Mylopotamos valley, near the village of the same name. They are 23 watermills in total, out of which only three are preserved in fairly good condition, due to the indestructible nature of important parts of their mechanism. All of them are privately owned. The name of the village obviously originates from the mills in the area. Mylopotamos’ valley is the most fertile area of the island and holds more water in its riverbed than any other. The watermills’ activity flourished mainly during the British occupation and their owners paid taxes for their operation. The mills ground wheat and grains. The mill drain supported the operation of the mills, through which the water would flow, in the meantime irrigating the valley's gardens. The watermills were connected through a large network of paths of many kilometers. The watermills stopped operating just after 1950, when they were successively replaced by the operation of diesel-motored mills.
Other areas holding watermills are the valley of Oheli comprising 10 mills, Tsakonas Canyon in Mitata, Karavas valley, the watermill in Agia Pelagia etc.
ANATOMY OF A WATERMILL The watermill consists of:
- the water tower, called “voutzi”
- the grinding workshop
- the storehouse
- the customers’ waiting area
- the “jourio”, basement with the paddle wheel
- the miller’s residence
