Karthaia was the most important of the four cities of ancient Kea. It was founded during the archaic times and had a long life, until the early Byzantine period. It is located in the southeast of the island, in the coastal area that today is called Poles.
Access to Karthaia is still possible today through the ancient road that connected the city with the other cities of the island. The acropolis is surrounded by archaic and classical walls with at least six entrances, while there were towers, from which they controlled the area. A Late Archaic temple of the Pythian Apollo, a pavilion of the Doric temple of Athena (end of the 6th century BC), a propylon, a submerged jetty and a theater have also been uncovered.
"It's the Carthian micro-wide rachula of stability,
But I won't exchange it for Babylon either."
PINDAR
(Paianas 4, 52c)
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
