Kythera
In prehistoric times, a strategic point in the Aegean and a natural station between Crete and the mainland. It was the seat of a prosperous commercial station of Crete, as the strongly Minoan character of the finds shows. In Kastri, an important settlement of the 16th - 15th centuries BC. A summit sanctuary has been identified in Agios Georgios Vounos. The findings are exhibited in the Museum of Kythira and the National Archaeological Museum. A trading post to Egypt and the East, it belonged to Sparta as an area of periociums. Phoenician purple traders introduced the cult of Aphrodite Urania to the island. Her temple perhaps on the site of the church of Agios Kosmas in the ancient city of Kythira (Paliokastri or Paleokastro) or a little further west, on the site of Vigles or Kolones (in both places architectural members). A cyclopean fortification is preserved on top of Paleokastro. The ancient port of Aulemon probably in today's Finikounda. Remains of the ancient city of Scandia on Kastri Hill; ancient remains further west inland at Paleopolis. In Agios Georgios the Mountain, a remarkable early Christian mosaic floor. Its decoration also includes hunting scenes.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou