Kythera is an island that comes with great history. It’s located in the south-east of Peloponnisos, somewhere opposite Cavo Malia great rock. According to Greek mythology, is this island that Goddess Venus was born and that’s where it took its name from. The Goddess used to been called as the Kythereia Venus. Kethyrousless, was consider the man that didn’t have any talents or external beauty.
The island been through many eras, during the pass of the years and a lot of nations conquered it. It’s about a very beautiful island, which combines all the good thinks that a visitor requires to see during vacations. Nature comes first in this island and the available activities are plenty. Also the monuments are a vision for the visitors and can reserve a journey in times with pirates, Venetians and conquerors.
The most important monuments of the island are its castles. They may not be preserved in a very good condition, but they carry an aura that makes Kythera a magical place lost in time.
The main castles are four and can be visited by people hosted on the island. Kythera is the island that no one gets bored. The energy that comes from its castles, is quite enough to force people come back over and over again.
Let’s take a look on the Castles even from afar:
Avlemonas Castle
It is known also as Castelo of Avlemonas. Avlemonas is a small village on the East of the Island. It was one of the main ports and that is why it was built there during the Venetian time, in order to control the eastern passage of the island to the Aegean. It used to have observatories, warblers and cannons, which still stand out nowadays, among the 14 arches of Castelo.
Not far from the fortress, had also been shipwrecked, Elgin ship carrying Parthenon Marbles.
Mylopotamos Castle
It is also a Venetian Castle, situated on the slopes of Mylopotamos lowers. It was built in 1565, as it is written on its gate. It is strategically located because it controlled the west passages of the island to the Ionian Sea. Because of its West position, the sunset in the certain place in magnificent. In fact, according to reliable sources, the castle was inhabited by families of Venetian soldiers, in order to guard the island from the corsair raid that was common at that time. Even until today, the layout of two-storey houses is distinct. It also contains nine churches with a lot of wall paintings and some houses, which actually were inhabited until the early fifties.
Chora Castle
Or Fortseta of “Eye Of Crete”. It was built during the Venetians era and it can be seen from everywhere, since it is at the highest point. The specific castle use to controlled three open seas at the same time, the Ionian, the Aegean and the Cretan, and therefore considered to be of high strategic importance. You can see prisons inside and vaulted tunnels. In the center, there are half-broken houses and at the entrance there is the emblem of the Venetians, the lion.
Oldchora Castle
This one was built on the time of Byzantium by people of Monevmasia. It is a natural fort with a deep gorge. It is located on the North side of the island. It was destroyed by the chief of the Turkish fleet, Chairedin Barbarossa, who also killed many in his passing.According to the legend if you approach close enough to the castle during the late hours, you will hear the screams of the women, the crying of the children and you will feel over you the frozen look of Captain Barbarossa
Kythera’s castles are one more reason for anyone to visit the island. Give it a try once, and you will not be disappointed!!!
