The village of Mitata is located inland, slightly east of the center. The village rests on the ledge, forming a platform that rests over a deep green valley, with many staircase-type gardens irrigated by running spring water. The view is truly fantastic, overlooking the valley with Tsakonas’ canyon discernible in the West. Opposite Mitata, the village Viaradika is located. The culmination of diverse trees and bushes creates a unique landscape. In the last years, vegetables and fruit trees were planted in the valleys gardens.
A unique variety of nectarine trees grows in Mitata, known famously as "Aphrodite's breasts". The soil of Mitata is sandy in many places, in which you can find millions of ancient petrified shells. This is due to the well-known fact that, as Kythera has risen from the ancient sea level, this was once the sea floor.
Mitata gets its name from the sheep farms, i.e. cheese-making workshops ("mitata") that used to exist here. In the old times, the sheperds would herd their animals into the many caves of the area. Today, one can visit the canyon with its water mills, streams of running water, the caves and the churches with incredible paintings that have still been conserved. Ask the locals to direct you to some of the most well-known caves: “Panayia Spiliotissa”, “Mavri Spilea” (Black cave), “Skilos kai Gata” (Dog and Cat). The village’s spring is located near the gorge, where you can rest and have a picnic. You will also see old watering places where housewives, even today, wash their blankets and their coverlets.
The villages inhabitants are occupied with agricultural works, while the village has one of the island’s most beautiful lodgings. Mitata is well known for the Wine festival which takes place here each summer, in the month of August. The society “Mirtia” which organizes this event is one of the most active and powerful of the island.
