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Kythira

Coordinates:36°15′27″N22°59′51″E/ 36.25750°N 22.99750°E/36.25750; 22.99750
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For other uses, seeCythera (disambiguation).
Kythira
Κύθηρα
Municipality
View of Cythera's capital (Chora) from the Castle
View of Cythera's capital (Chora) from the Castle
Kythira is located in Greece
Kythira
Kythira
Location within the region
Coordinates:36°15′27″N22°59′51″E/ 36.25750°N 22.99750°E/36.25750; 22.99750
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitIslands
Government
• MayorEfstratios Charchalakis[1](since 2019)
Area
• Municipality300.0 km2(115.8 sq mi)
• Municipal unit279.6 km2(108.0 sq mi)
Elevation
506 m (1,660 ft)
Population
(2021)[2]
• Municipality3,644
• Density12/km2(31/sq mi)
• Municipal unit
3,605
• Municipal unit density13/km2(33/sq mi)
• Community
550
Time zoneUTC+2(EET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+3(EEST)
Postal code
801 00
Area code(s)2736
Vehicle registrationZ
Websitekythira.gr

Kythira(/kɪˈθɪərə,ˈkɪθɪrə/kih-THEER-ə,KITH-irr-ə;Greek:Κύθηρα[ˈciθira]), also transliterated asCythera,KytheraandKithira,[a]is anisland in Greecelying opposite the south-eastern tip of thePeloponnesepeninsula. It is traditionally listed as one of the seven mainIonian Islands,although it is distant from the main group. Administratively, it belongs to theIslandsregional unit, which is part of theAtticaregion, despite its distance from theSaronic Islands,around which the rest of Attica is centered. As a municipality, it includes the island ofAntikytherato the south.

The island is strategically located between the Greek mainland andCrete,and from ancient times until the mid-19th century was a crossroads of merchants, sailors, and conquerors. As such, it has had a long and varied history and has been influenced by many civilizations and cultures. This is reflected in its architecture (a blend of traditional,AegeanandVenetianelements), as well as the traditions and customs, influenced by centuries of coexistence of the Greek, andVenetiancultures.

Administration

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Kythira and the nearby island ofAntikythirawere separate municipalities until they were merged at the 2011 local government reform; the two islands are now municipal units of Kythira municipality.[3]The municipality has an area of 300.023 km2,the municipal unit 279.593 km2.[4]The province of Kythira (Greek:Επαρχία Κυθήρων) was one of theprovincesofLakonia,then ofArgolis and Korinthia,then of Attica Prefecture from 1929 to 1964. Then from 1964 to 1972 Kythira became part of the newly establishmentPiraeus Prefectureand after dissolution of Piraeus prefecture returned toAttica Prefectureas part of Piraeus prefecture (Νομαρχία). It was abolished in 2006. From 2011 it is part of theIslandsregional unit ofAttica region.

History

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Pre-classical and ancient

[edit]
Antikythera mechanism,National Archaeological Museum, Athens

There are archaeological remains from theHelladic period,contemporary with theMinoans.[5]There is archaeological evidence of Kythiran trade as far as Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Kythira had aPhoeniciancolony in the early archaic age; the sea-snail which producesTyrian purpleis native to the island.[citation needed]Xenophon refers to a Phoenician Bay in Kythira (Hellenica4.8.7, probably Avlemonas Bay on the eastern side of the island). The archaic Greek city of Kythira was at Scandea on Avlemonas; its ruins have been excavated. Its acropolis, now Palicastro (Palaeocastron, "Old Fort" ), has thetemple of Aphrodite Ourania,who may well represent a Phoenician cult ofAstarte.

In classical times, Kythira was part of the territory of several larger city-states. Sparta took the island from Argos early in the sixth century BC, and ruled it under akytherodíkes(kυθηροδίκης, "judge on Kythira" ), in Thucydides' time [4,53,3]; Athens occupied it three times when at war with Sparta (in 456 BC during herfirst war with Sparta and the Peloponnesians;from 426 to 410 BC, through most of the greatPeloponnesian War;and from 393 to 387/386BC, during theCorinthian Waragainst Spartan dominance) and used it both to support her trade and to raid Laconia.

Kythira was independent, and issued her own coins in 195 BC after the Achaean defeat of Sparta. In Augustus' time, it was again subject to Sparta, being the property ofGaius Julius Eurycles,who was both a Spartan magnate and a Roman citizen.

By this time, the Greek cities were in practice subject to theRoman Empire.Kythira continued to exist under the Roman Empire and itsByzantine successor statefor centuries. Christianity is attested from the fourth century AD, the time ofConstantine;according to her legend, Saint Elessa came from Laconia to convert the island.[6]

Medieval and modern

[edit]
Further information:Ionian Islands under Venetian rule
Ruins ofPaliochora
View of Kythira Castle
Katouni bridge (19th century)
The castle ofKithira,
copper engraving byCoronelli.

Kythira is not mentioned in the literary sources for centuries after its conversion; in the period of Byzantine weakness at the end of the seventh century, it might have been exposed to attacks from both the Slavic tribes who raided the mainland and from Arab pirates from the sea. Archaeological evidence suggests the island was abandoned about 700 AD.

When SaintTheodore of Cytheraled a resettlement after theByzantine reconquest of Cretein 962, he found the island occupied only by wandering bands of hunters. He established a great monastery at Paliochora; a town grew up around it, largely populated from Laconia.

When the Byzantine Empire was divided among the conquerors of theFourth Crusade,theRepublic of Venicetook her share, three eighths of the whole, as the Greek islands, Kythira among them. She established a coast patrol on Kythira and Antikythera to protect her trade route to Constantinople; Kythira was one of the islands Venice continued to hold despite the Greek reconquest of Constantinople and the Turkish presence all over the Near East.[7]During the Venetian domination the island was known asCerigo.

Kythirans still talk about the destruction and looting ofPaliochorabyBarbarossa;it has become an intrinsic part of the Kytherian folklore. One can easily accept the stories of locals by noticing the number of monasteries embedded in the rocky hillsides to avoid destruction by thepirates.

Barbary pirates ranged across the Mediterranean waters, raiding ships, coasts and islands, taking booty and slaves for theBarbary slave trade.Kythira was at the mercy of Barbary pirates due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean. In order to intercept merchant vessels, islands along the trade routes were of course more interesting for pirates.[8]In the 17th century the small islands like Sapientza (Kalamatas) south of Messinia (district in south-western part of the Peloponnese), Cerigo (Kythira) south of the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese, and along the coast of Asia minor, the then deserted islands of Fourni southwest of Samos, and the island of Psara, west of Chios, were all pirate bases.[9]

WhenNapoleonput an endto the Venetian Republic in 1797, Kythira was among the islands incorporated in that most distantdepartmentof France, calledMer-Égée.Kythira shared a common destiny with the otherIonian islandsduring the turbulent Napoleonic era, and is still regarded as one of them; it was counted as one of theCycladesin antiquity.

In 1799, the Ionian islands became theSeptinsular Republic,nominally under Ottomansuzerainty,but in practice dominated byImperial Russia.In 1807, the French recaptured the islands, before they were captured again by theBritishin 1809, who set up theUnited States of the Ionian Islands,aBritish protectorate.The British ruled over the islands for nearly half a century; under British rule, they were governed by a High Commissioner who was granted both legislative and executive powers. During the period of British rule, the city was known as Carigo or Cerigo, a name it had been acquired under Venetian control. After a long period of turbulence in the colony, which even eminent Commissioners asWilliam Ewart Gladstonewho served in the role for three weeks in the winter of 1859 failed to resolve, the British discussion whether they were a waste of money or a vital overseas possession ended with the cession of the Ionian Islands, including Kythira, to the newKing George I of Greece,who was brother-in-law to the Prince of Wales.

The chief town of the island, Kythira (or Chora, "village" ), houses the Historical Archives of Kythira, the second largest in the Ionian islands, afterCorfu.

Geography

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Satellite image of Kythira

Kythira has a land area of 279.593 square kilometres (107.95 sq mi); it is located at the southwestern exit from theAegean Sea,behindCape Malea.[10]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 has many beaches, of various composition and size; only half of them can be reached by road through the mountainous terrain of the island. TheKythirian Straitsare nearby.

Kythira is close to theHellenic arcplateboundary zone, and thus highly prone toearthquakes.Many earthquakes in recorded history have had theirepicentresnear or on the island. Probably the largest in recent times is the 1903 earthquake near at the village ofMitata,that caused significant damage as well as limited loss of life. It has had two major earthquakes in the 21st century: that of November 5, 2004, measuring between 5.6 and 5.8 on theRichter scaleand the earthquake of January 8, 2006, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the latter was in the sea about 20 km (12 mi) to the east of Kythira, with afocusat a depth of approximately 70 km (43 mi). Many buildings were damaged, particularly old ones, mostly in the village ofMitata,but with no loss of life. It was felt as far asItaly,Egypt,MaltaandJordan.

Communities and villages

[edit]
View ofAvlemonas

The municipal unit Kythira is subdivided into 13 communities (constituent settlements in parentheses):

  • Kythira or Chora (Kythira,Kalamos,Kapsali, Manitochori, Pourko, Strapodi)
  • Aroniadika(Aroniadika, Pitsinades)
  • Karavas(Karavas, Vouno, Gerakari, Kryoneri, Petrouni, Plateia Ammos, Progki)
  • Karvounades(Karvounades, Agios Ilias,Alexandrades,Keramoto,Pitsinianika, Stathianika)
  • Kontolianika(Kontolianika, Goudianika, Tsikalaria, Fatsadika)
  • Livadi(Livadi, Ano Livadi, Katsouni, Lourantianika, Travasarianika)
  • Logothetianika(Logothetianika, Kominianika, Lianianika, Perlegkianika)
  • Mitata(Mitata, Avlemonas, Agia Moni, Viaradika, Palaiopoli)
  • Mylopotamos(Mylopotamos, Araioi, Kato Chora, Piso Pigadi)
  • Myrtidia(Drymon, Kalisperianika, Kalokairines, Moni Myrtidion)
  • Potamos(Potamos, Agia Anastasia, Agia Pelagia, Kampos)
  • Fratsia(Fratsia, Dokana)
  • Friligkianika(Friligkianika, Aloizianika, Diakofti, Drymonari, Kampos Palaiopoleos, Kastrisianika)

Climate

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Kythira has a hot-summerMediterranean climate(Köppen climate classification:Csa) with mild, rainy winters and warm to hot dry summers.[11]

Climate data for Kythira Island
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.5
(70.7) 		22.8
(73.0) 		24.0
(75.2) 		27.0
(80.6) 		33.2
(91.8) 		40.0
(104.0) 		40.2
(104.4) 		37.8
(100.0) 		33.6
(92.5) 		30.0
(86.0) 		26.2
(79.2) 		22.6
(72.7) 		40.2
(104.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 12.7
(54.9) 		12.9
(55.2) 		14.2
(57.6) 		17.1
(62.8) 		21.6
(70.9) 		26.0
(78.8) 		28.7
(83.7) 		28.5
(83.3) 		25.6
(78.1) 		21.2
(70.2) 		17.8
(64.0) 		14.6
(58.3) 		20.1
(68.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10.8
(51.4) 		10.8
(51.4) 		12.0
(53.6) 		14.7
(58.5) 		18.8
(65.8) 		23.0
(73.4) 		25.6
(78.1) 		25.4
(77.7) 		22.9
(73.2) 		18.9
(66.0) 		15.8
(60.4) 		12.7
(54.9) 		17.6
(63.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.9
(48.0) 		8.9
(48.0) 		10.0
(50.0) 		12.4
(54.3) 		16.1
(61.0) 		19.9
(67.8) 		22.4
(72.3) 		22.5
(72.5) 		20.3
(68.5) 		16.8
(62.2) 		13.9
(57.0) 		10.8
(51.4) 		15.2
(59.4)
Record low °C (°F) −1.8
(28.8) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		−4.3
(24.3) 		6.2
(43.2) 		9.4
(48.9) 		11.8
(53.2) 		14.8
(58.6) 		17.2
(63.0) 		11.8
(53.2) 		8.8
(47.8) 		2.0
(35.6) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−4.3
(24.3)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 103.3
(4.07) 		67.7
(2.67) 		59.5
(2.34) 		28.1
(1.11) 		10.5
(0.41) 		1.9
(0.07) 		2.4
(0.09) 		2.3
(0.09) 		11.2
(0.44) 		54.2
(2.13) 		85.6
(3.37) 		115.2
(4.54) 		541.9
(21.33)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) 10.2 8.5 6.4 4.0 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.1 5.1 7.7 11.0 56.6
Averagerelative humidity(%) 72.3 72.4 71.5 67.9 63.1 57.1 54.4 56.7 62.1 68.3 72.5 72.8 65.9
Source: NOAA[12]

Mythology

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In AncientGreek mythology,Kythira was considered to be the island of celestialAphrodite,the Goddess of love (cf.Cyprus,another island devoted to the Goddess of Love). She is said to have been birthed from sea foam near the island.[13]

Demographics

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Like many of the smaller Aegean islands, Kythira's population is decreasing. While the island had reached a peak population of about 14,500 in 1864, that has steadily declined mostly due to emigration, both internal (to major urban centres of Greece) and external (to Australia, the United States, Germany) in the first half of the 20th century. Today its population hovers around 3,650 people (2021 census).

Economy

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Fonisa Waterfall atMylopotamos, Cythera

Since the late 20th century, the Kythirean economy has largely focused and, in the process, has become dependent ontourism,which provides the majority of the island's income, despite the fact that Kythira is not one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece. The popular season usually begins with the Greek holiday ofPentecostat the end of May, and lasts until the middle of September. During this time, primarily during August, the island's population will often triple due to the tourists and natives returning for vacation. Dependence on tourism has resulted in increased building activity in many of the island's villages, mostly for commercial purposes (hotels and hospitality facilities, shops etc.), but also secondary homes; prominent examples are Agia Pelagia and Livadi, both of which having witnessed significant growth in their size since the early 1990s.

Minor sources of revenue are thyme honey, famous within Greece for its rich flavor, as well as some small-scale cultivation of vegetables and fruit and animal husbandry that is, nevertheless, increasingly restricted to local consumption.

Only five of the island's villages are on the coast (Platia Amos, Agia Pelagia, Diakofti, Avlemonas, & Kapsali). During July and August, several traditional dances will be held in various villages. These dances usually attract the majority of the island's population, the biggest of which are the festival of 'Panagia' in Potamos on 15 August, and the wine festival in Mitata on the first Friday and Saturday of August.

Infrastructure

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The Trifylleion Hospital of Kythera is the onlyhospitalon the island. The hospital's construction was made possible through the contributions ofGreek Americans,including Mixalis Semitekolos, also known as Mike Semet, who was a prominent figure in the New York City restaurant industry in the early 20th century. Semitekolos, an immigrant from Kythera, raised funds for the hospital by participating in a pan-Kytherianfundraising campaignin theUnited Statesin the early 1950s. His significant monetary contributions earned him recognition fromKing Paul of Greecewith theOrder of the Phoenix.The groundbreaking for the hospital was on May 21, 1953, in Potamos, making it the first hospital on the island. It remains the only hospital on the island to this day, providing essential medical services to the residents of Kythira and the surrounding areas. The charitable organization responsible for the hospital evolved to become the Trifylleion Foundation of Kytherians and is still active today.[14][15]

Kythira (town)

[edit]
View of the capital, Chora
Street of Chora

The capital, Chora, is located on the southern part of the island having no ports connected to the southern Peloponnese orVatika.Kythira's port for Vatika was previously situated at Agia Pelagia, although in recent years this port has been decommissioned and has been replaced by a new port at the coastal town of Diakofti, Kythira.

Most of the over 60 village names end with "-anika" and a few end with -athika, -iana and -wades. This is due to the villages being named after influential families that settled first in that region. For Example, 'Logothetianika' is derived from the Greek last name of 'Logothetis'.

Officially, Greek is Kythira's main language. Despite popular belief, most places such as public services and local administrations, will be able to oblige to an individual's needs in English as well. In specific areas, some of Kythira's population is fluent in Italian.[16]

Transportation

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The island in the past has been plagued by a poor infrastructure, exacerbated by the effect of weather on transportation during the winter months.[citation needed]However the construction of the new port inDiakoftialong with the renovation of the island's airport have significantly reduced these effects. A new road from the island's most populated town of Potamos in the north to the island's capital of Chora in the south is currently in the planning and development stage.

Port

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Despite the fact that the island has been a trade route for centuries, construction of a modern port was postponed several times until the latter half of the 20th century. In 1933, efforts were made to construct a port in the village of Agia Pelagia, yet financial and governmental problems meant that it was only decades later that one was built. That small port of Agia Pelagia (currently being renovated from a ferry dock to a tourist/recreational boat dock) was the island's main port until the mid-1990s. Around that time the new port ofDiakofti,the site originally chosen by the British colonial administration in the 19th century, was constructed along with a modern wider road, aiming to support larger cargo and passenger vessels. The port of Diakofti currently serves scheduled routes to/fromGythion,Kalamata,Antikythera,Piraeus' Athens port, Crete & Neapolis - Vatika. Proposals have been made to attach a marina to the south side of the port, however no plans or timetables have been produced. Additionally, the harbour of Agia Patrikia (north of Agia Pelagia) is the primary fishing boat harbour, housing two wide boatramps and a boat repair facility.

Airport

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The island's primary airport is theAlexander S. OnassisAirport also known asKithira Island National Airport,located in the region between the village of Friligiannika and Diakofti, about 20 km (12 mi) from the capital. The airport was revamped and extended at the turn of the 21st century, largely by private funds provided by the local population. The island is served byOlympic AirandAegean Airlinesflights.

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]
[edit]
  • View on Kapsali
    View on Kapsali
  • Church of Agios Georgios
    Church of Agios Georgios
  • View of the Kytherian Straits
    View of the Kytherian Straits
  • West coast
    West coast
  • Avlemonas at southeastern coast
    Avlemonas at southeastern coast
  • Paleopoli Beach
    Paleopoli Beach
  • Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa
    Monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa
  • Gold Icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa
    Gold Icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa
  • Church of Agia Despoina
    Church of Agia Despoina
  • The castle of Kythira by night
    The castle of Kythira by night
  • Winery in Martesakia (Pitsinianika) showing neoclassical architecture
    Winery in Martesakia (Pitsinianika) showing neoclassical architecture
  • Cave in islet Hytra
    Cave in islet Hytra
  • Kythira's main port, Diakofti
    Kythira's main port, Diakofti
  • The shipwreck
    The shipwreck
  • Melidoni beach
    Melidoni beach
  • Kaladi beach
    Kaladi beach
  • Hytra view from the castle
    Hytra view from the castle
  • Lion from the Kythira Archaeological museum.
    Lion from the Kythira Archaeological museum.
  • Dry landscape in Kythera.
    Dry landscape in Kythera.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^The Italian nameCerigocan be used in speaking of late medieval and early modern Kythira.

References

[edit]
  1. ^Municipality of Kythira, Municipal elections – October 2023,Ministry of Interior
  2. ^"Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό"[Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  3. ^"ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text"(in Greek).Government Gazette.
  4. ^"Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)"(PDF)(in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2015-09-21.
  5. ^Georgiadis, Mercourios (1 January 2023).The Sacred Landscape at Leska and Minoan Kythera.INSTAP Academic Press.ISBN978-1-62303-442-9.
  6. ^Brill's New Pauly,article on "Cythera" (for entire section), citing Paus. 1,27,5; Thuc. 4,53,1ff.; 57,4; 5,14,3; 18,7; 7,26,2; 57,6; Xen. Hell. 4,8,7; Isoc. Or. 4,119, and Cassius Dio 54,7,2).
  7. ^Fernand Braudel,The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world in the age of Philip II,trans. Reynolds. In the 1995 ed. Vol II, p.877.
  8. ^Simbula, P F.Iles.p. 3.
  9. ^Zakythinos, D A.Corsaires et pirates.pp. 713–714.
  10. ^C.Michael Hogan. 2011.Aegean Sea.Eds. P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC
  11. ^Kottek, M.; J. Grieser; C. Beck; B. Rudolf; F. Rubel (2006)."World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated"(PDF).Meteorol. Z.15(3): 259–263.Bibcode:2006MetZe..15..259K.doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130.RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
  12. ^"Kythira Island Climate Normals 1961-1990".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
  13. ^Hesiod, Theogony l. 192
  14. ^"» 101 West 66th Street, The Colonial".Retrieved2023-04-02.
  15. ^"Mixalis-Semitekolos| Kytherian Society of California | KSOCA".ksoca.Retrieved2023-04-02.
  16. ^"Useful information about Kyhera".Visit Kythera.Archived fromthe originalon 11 October 2016.Retrieved16 June2016.
  17. ^"Nolwenn Leroy - J'ai volé le lit de la mer Lyrics | Lyrics".lyrics.Retrieved2023-08-03.
  18. ^Sicking, Louis."Islands, Pirates, Privateers and the Ottoman Empire in the Early Modern Mediterranean".Seapower, Technology and Trade: Studies in Turkish Maritime History. Proceedings Eurasian Maritime History Conference, Istanbul, 5–9 November 2012 (Istanbul 2014).
[edit]
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