Kythira Archaeological sites and castles
Ancient wreck: The sea area of Avlemonas, near the islet Antidragonera, the team of archaeologists of the Archaeological Institute of Marine Research has discovered important findings, which give information on trade and navigation in ancient times. So far, they have discovered nine stone anchors, relics of shipwrecks and an abundance of objects, which are very important sources of information. No one can speak with confidence about the circumstances of the wreck. Both the wreck and the other findings are placed in the 4th century B.C. Researches at the bottom of Kythira keep going so soon scientists will be able to provide answers to many questions.
Antikythira Castle: In recent years archaeologists have systematically researched the ancient Egila, at Antikythira. It is a walled city about 300 acres of the 4th century B.C., where it should have been living around 800 people, mainly occupied with the piracy of passing ships from the Aegean to the West. Preserved also in very good condition, a ship sheds (sloping area to patrol a military or pirate ship) carved completely in the rock, one of the few in Greece that are preserved in their whole.
Apollo Sanctuary on Antikythira: At the head of the small Xeropotamos Creek, where in ancient times was the port of Egila, was discovered, in 1880, a statue of Apollo Egiliefs (exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Athens), as well as parts of the temple of God, which was in the port. In the ancient harbour are saved remains of walls, probably of the sanctuary or of the premises of the port, and stairs carved in the rock leading to the castle.
Hora castle-Paleohora castles: The Venetian castle overlooks the village of Hora, the capital of Kythira, as it is built onto a rocky hill with a view to the picturesque harbour of Kapsali. Its building began during the post Byzantine period and took its current form in 1503. Here, was moved the capital of the island after the destruction of the fortified village of Aghios Dimitrios in Paleohora by the Turkish pirate Barbarossa in 1537. Inside the castle are preserved Byzantine churches and several buildings. Among them stand the imposing residence of the Venetian Intendant and later the English Commissioner. Now, the castle houses the Historical Archive of Kythira. Enjoy here the magnificent view to Antikythira and Crete.
Housti Cave: It is located at Diakofti. Here, the archaeological excavations have revealed findings of 5000 BC. You can, with some difficulty, to ascend the hill of Paleokastro where the ancient capital of the island was. In the area there is the temple of Aghii Anargyri, Cosmas and Damianos, built in the place of the ancient temple of Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux. Close to it, around the church of Aghios Georgios Vounou (of the mountain), recent excavations found a sanctuary that was launched by the geometrical years.
Mylopotamos Castle: It is a Venetian castle, built at a strategic point on the slopes of Mylopotamos village, with which the Venetians controlled the west coast of the island and the waters towards the Ionian Sea. The gate of the fort, the date 1565 will tells you about its building and in the interior, you will see the settlement with houses inhabited until the 50’s. The castle includes a medieval necropolis. At the only and impressive gate of the fortress, you will see the winged lion, emblem of Saint Mark and the powerful then Venice. Like the other forts, Mylopotamos castle includes 9 churches, belonging to 16th to 17th century and covered with frescoes of exquisite art. The remarkable for their architecture churches are: Panaghia Mesosporitissa, Prophet Ilias, Aghios Athanasios, Aghios Ioannis Theologos, Aghii Anargyroi, Aghios Nikolaos, Agii Pantes, Aghios Ioannis the Baptist, Aghios Dimitrios.
Paleopoli-Skandia: Here you can see, after informing the staff of the Archaeological Museum, many Minoan chamber tombs and the preserved part of the Castle which guarded the port of Skandia until the early-Byzantine years (7th century). Skandia was the ancient town of Kythira, where the baths of Aphrodite were, i.e. where the goddess was born.
On the road to Avlemonas, as on Archimandrite Mormori Street, towards Diakofti, you can see the ancient quarries with the characteristic way of cutting.
Stone bridge at Katouni: It is one of the most impressive monuments of Kythira, built during the British Protectorate. It is the largest stone bridge built in Greece. Its length reaches 110 m and a height of 15 m. Its characteristic is that it rests on 13 arches.
Kythira archaeological sights and castles Photos
