KYTHIRA
ISLAND, GREECE Is the most southerly of the Ionian islands; was
the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite, who was said to have emerged
from the sea here; this was the ancient center of worship of this goddess.
Kythira, also known as Kythera, Cythera, Cerigo or Tsirigo, is an island,
one of the Ionian Islands. It lies opposite the eastern tip of the Peloponnesos
peninsula in Greece. It has an area of 284 square kilometers. The rugged
terrain is a result of prevailing winds from the surrounding seas which
have shaped its shores into steep rocky cliffs with deep bays. The island's
architecture is a blend of traditional, Aegean and Venetian elements.
At the start of the second millennium B.C. it was a Minoan colony and
in 424 BC it came under the sway of Athens. Over the centuries it knew
a succession of conquerors from the Romans to the Byzantines, Venetians
and Turks, and it was frequently looted by Barbary pirates. In 1864, the
island was reunited with the Greek state.
Like many of the smaller Aegean islands, Kythira is depopulated. Its present
population hovers around 2,500 people, but the modern Greek diaspora has
produced perhaps 100,000 Kythiran descendants in Australia alone. The
capital of Kythira island, Hora is located on the southern part of the
island having no ports connected to the southern Peloponnese or Vatika.
Kythera's port for Viatika is in Agia Pelagia Kythira.
Most of the over 60 village names in Kythira island end with -anika and
a few end with -athika, -iana and -ades. Ports are Agia Pelagia Neapolis
- Vatika and Diakofti Gythion, Antikythira, Piraeus, Crete and Neapolis
- Vatika
HOW TO GET TO KYTHIRA ISLAND, GREECE
Kythira is served by daily flights to and from Athens Airport by Olympic
Airlines journey time is approximately 40 minutes. There are also daily
connections by boat car ferries to and from the Peloponnese and several
connections to and from Crete. In the summer period there are also fast
hydrofoil connections directly from Piraeus port of Athens. |