Kea - Cyclades (Greece)
Kea (Tzia) is a Greek island that belongs to the Cyclades group of islands and the closest island to Attica and Athens. It is a mountainous island with deep ravines, steep slopes, beautiful mountain plateaus, breath-taking valleys, picturesque bays and enchanting beaches. Since ancient times, Kea has been known for its almonds, honey and wine. The picturesque capital of Kea is Ioulida (Chora) and the best resorts of the island are Gialiskari, Korissia (also the port of the island), Vourkari, Koundouros, Otzias, Pisses and Spathi.
The island has a rich history. In ancient times it was called Hydroussa. It was a very important island in classical times, mainly due to its location near Athens and the other Cyclades. At that time there were four states on Kea: Ioulida (Ioulis), Karthaia, Piiessa and Korissia. When you visit these places today, you see ancient ruins – reminders of the past. Kea was a very crowded island and there were many roads and paths crisscrossing it. These old trails still exist and today walkers benefit from them. It is a paradise for hikers with 60 kilometers (37 mi) of mountain trails and walking paths. The trails are well marked and the afford hikers views of all kind of monuments and buildings that you couldn’t see if you were traveling by car.
Kea occupies an area of 131 square kilometers (50 mi2). The capital of the island is the picturesque town of Ioulida, which is located in the heart of the island, and built on two different hills. The islanders call their capital Chora. From Chora you have an excellent view over the sea. Nearby you see the highest peak of the mountain Profitis Ilias (568 meters/1,900 feet).
There are no large villages on Kea. Its approximately 3,000 inhabitants live in small viallges. The largest of these are Ioulida, Korissia and Otzias. There are many bays with quiet beaches where, even in high season, you might be alone. Many of these beaches are accessible only by foot. Some of them can be reached with a jeep or by boat.
Sights and tips Kea
Chora or Ioulis or Ioulida, the picturesque and traditional capital of Kea:
- The castle, situated on the hill and built on the foundations of the ancient city.
- The Lion of Kea, an archaic statue on a rock just outside the village.
- Several monasteries.
- The archaeological museum.
In Koundouras you will see remnants of the old city, walls and foundations of houses. One can also see stone windmills.
Visit the ruins of the ancient cities of Ioulis, Korissos, Kathraia and Piessa.
Visit the monasteries of Aghios Symeon and Panagia Kastriani.
Striking Kea
On Kea you will see many oak trees, a striking and unique phenomenon for a Cycladic island. Until the 60s the oak trees were an important source of income for the islanders, because the oak was exported.
Kythnos - Cyclades (Greece)
Kythnos (Kithnos) is, like most Cycladic islands, a barren mountainous island with picturesque small bays. Although the island is bare, inhabitants grow olives, grapes and fig trees.
The harbor town of Kythnos is Mericha (Merihas), the port on the western side of the island. The capital is called Chora or Mesaria. Mesaria is built near the center of the island on the plateau of a hill. Particularly striking are the numerous beautiful churches with their fine woodcarvings, sanctuary screens and icons. Every year on August 15th a public feast is held – the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
Worth mentioning are the church of Aghios Savvas from the 17th century, the cave of Katafiki, and the monastery of Our Lady “Tou Nikou,” that lies on a beautiful hill.
The picturesque village Driopida is the island's former capital, which retains its ancient name. Loutra is known for its thermal springs which are considered medicinal to people who suffer from arthritis and skin diseases.
The southeastern part of the island and the monastery of Panagia Kanala, the patron saint of the island, are beautiful. This monastery was built on the cape opposite Serifos with a beautiful expanse of sandy beach. The building is of great interest and the scenery reminds one of a fjord in Greek colors.
Sights and tips Kythnos (Kithnos)
Chora is the capital, which has beautiful alleys with fine ornamentation. The churches from the 17th and 18th centuries with beautiful icons from the famous Cretan School are definitely worth a visit. Loutra is a picturesque seaside village.
Sights:
- The ruins of the castle.
- Medicinal sources managed by Greek tourist board hotel "Xenia."
- The Panagia Kanala church, 16 kilometers (10 mi) southeast of Chora. Panagia Kanala (Holy mother Kanala) is the protector of Kithnos.
Feasts held on Kythnos:
-The Three Units, a festival of folklore dance, food and drink which is held in early July.
-The Celebration of Prophet Elias is celebrated until dawn on the mountain.
-On August 15th, a two-day feast celebrated in honor of the Assumption.
Beaches of Kythnos:
Merihas, Loutra, Episkopi, Flambouria bay (accessible only by boat), and Aghios Stefanos.
How to get to Kythnos
There is no airport on Kythnos. The best way to come is fly to Athens then take the boat from the port of Lavrio (near Athens airport). There is also a regular connection to other Cyclades islands and other ports like Andros, Kea, Syros and Tinos.
Η Κέα ή Τζια είναι ένα κυκλαδίτικο νησί του Αιγαίου πελάγους. Είναι το πιο κοντινό κατοικήσιμο κυκλαδονήσι στην Αττική. Είναι το 6ο σε έκταση και το 10ο σε πληθυσμό νησί των Κυκλάδων.
Η Κύθνος είναι νησί των Δυτικών Κυκλάδων ανάμεσα στην Κέα και τη Σέριφο. Απέχει 56 ναυτικά μίλια (104 χλμ.) από το λιμάνι του Πειραιά και 25 ναυτικά μίλια (49 χλμ.) από το λιμάνι του Λαυρίου. Ονομάζεται και Θερμιά (τα Θερμιά), τουλάχιστον από τον 12ο αιώνα οπότε και αναφέρεται «Επισκοπή Κέας και Θερμίων». Το όνομα αυτό οφείλεται στην ύπαρξη θερμών πηγών, οι οποίες βρίσκονται στον όρμο των Λουτρών. Τα λουτρά της Κύθνου λέγεται ότι απολάμβανε και ο βασιλιάς Όθωνας και η βασίλισσα Αμαλία του Ολδεμβούργου. Σύμφωνα με την απογραφή του 2021 ο πληθυσμός του νησιού ανέρχεται σε 1.568 μόνιμους κατοίκους.
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