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Kea island in Greece

Kea related sites

Kea (Tzia), very close to Athens, is a mountainous island, its coarse beauty broken up by small valleys, planted with vines and fruit-trees. A quite holiday spot, its numerous bays and cute villages offer quiet, relaxation in contrast to the other, more popular Cycladic islands. The capital of the island Hora or Ioulida is a short drive from the port Korissia - or Livadi - and home to the Archaeological museum which hosts a number of Cycladic period finds. Visitors may find uncluttered, clean beaches at Pisses, Korissia, Koundouros, Otzia & Poles.

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Kea's history

The name Tzia is a Frankish adoption of its name (Kea-kia-Tzia) and left as memento of the occupation by the Franks and Venetians during the Middle Ages.

Mythology
According to mythology, Kea was the residence of the Nymphs of the forest springs who embodied the "liquid element". The island's old name was "Ydroussa" (Water Island). The Gods envied its beauty and sent a fearsome lion to persecute the Nymphs, who took refuge to the northern shores and from there to Karistos. Then, a long period of dryness began, the water levels decreased and the vegetation withered. The islanders asked for the help of Aristaios, son of Apollo and the nymph Kirini, who lived in Thessaly. He came to the island and built a sanctuary to honour the Ikmaios Zeus, the god of rain. Gods were pacified and the draught was reduced. Aristaios organised the agriculture and gave special emphasis to apiculture, of which he is considered the "Father". Another myth tells us that Kea took its name from Keos, son of Apollo and the nymph Rodessi, leader of the Locrians of Nafpaktos, who settled the island in prehistoric times.

Pre-historic
The first settlers of Kea are believed to have been the Telchines. As excavation findings show, the island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was one of the centres of Cycladic civilisation. It was the birthplace of many great figures from antiquity, like Simonides and the sophist Prodicus.

Historic
Kea was known for the "Kean Law", a custom according to which those who lived to be seventy committed suicide by drinking hemlock. The island's decline started in Roman times. In 1207, it was given to the Venetians, then divided into four different administrative sections.

One of the Venetian rulers, D. Mikelis, founded the island's castle on the site of ancient Ioulida. In 1537, the island fell to the Turks, exhausted as it was by pirate raids. During the Russian-Turkish war and after the defeat of Lambros Katsonis, it suffered hell on earth. The idea of a revolution against the Turks started to gain ground gradually among the islanders. The revolution was finally declared by Kea's Metropolitan Bishop, Nikothimos Roussos. The priest, Athanasios Homatianos, raised the war flag after Easter service in 1821. Kea was liberated in 1830 and the borough of Kea was founded in 1835.

source: www.hri.org

Kea island today

Ioulis, the capital of Kea, is situated 5.5 km from the port. It is built on the location of the ancient town of Ioulis, while many of the old mansions are built next to the castle, from which one can still see a part of the walls and the entrance, above which stands the blazon of the Pagalos family, depicting two chickens and bread in its centre. Apart from the ancient acropolis of Ioulis, one of the best sights is the impressive sculpture of Kea's Lion, or "Lionda", as the locals call it. One should also visit the churches of Panayia Gamila, Panayia Revmatiani, as well as the ruined monasteries of Agia Anna and Dafni, built by St Filothei, in order to protect Athenian women from the Turks. In the modern town, one can admire the beautiful buildings housing the school and the town-hall, while near the school, half-hidden in a cave, the chapel of Hrissospiliotissa is built.

Korissia is the port of Kea, occasionally called "Livadi" by the locals. It is 5.5 km from Ioulis and the houses are built around a bay, on a small plain. Korissia is built on the site of the ancient town of Korissia. Excavations in the area brought to light one of the most significant sculptures of the Archaic Years, the "Kouros of Kea", now exhibited in the Archaeological Museum in Athens. On the hill of Agios Savas, one can see the ruins of the walls and towers where the altars of Apollo, Venus and Neptune once stood.

Vourkari is a small, beautiful fishing village, situated 1.5 km from Korissia. Its architecture is very special, while all the tourist boats coming to Kea anchor in its bay. The area's most significant sight is the small peninsula of Agia Irene, in the north, where excavations cast light upon a settlement from the Bronze Era. From Vourkari, one should visit Faros, as well as the historic passage crossed by Lambros Katsonis's ships.

Sightseeing

The Monastery of Panayia Kastriani is situated 7 km from Otzias and it is built on a rock on the eastern coast. The monastery was named after the hill of Kastri, where it is built and it includes two churches. One dates back to the 18th century, and the other, built in honour of the Virgin Mary, is said to have been built in the early 20th century. The Monastery accommodates its visitors in specially decorated cells.
The monument of the Lion ( or "Lionda", as the locals call it ), is situated 1,5 km from the north-eastern exit of the settlement of Ioulis. It is a huge, dominating sculpture, carved on slate and dated back to the Archaic Era. The monument is mentioned in many myths concerning the island of Kea.

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Kea hotels

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