Antikythera became famous at the beginning of the last century when the wreck of a Roman ship from the 1st BC came to light from sponges. century, with rich finds, such as the teenager of Antikythera and the famous mechanism of Antikythera. The island's capital and port is Potamos, where almost the entire population lives. It is worth visiting Ancient Aegyla, in Polykastro, 1.5 km from Potamos, where there are remains of walls from the ancient city of classical times, believed to have been built by the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War.
The Antikythera Sea kept well within its bowels for over 2,000 years a unique testimony of our ancestors' ability to build sophisticated astronomical mechanisms with gears, the unique blend of which was the Antikythera Computer, recovered by Kalymnian divers in 1902.
The findings of the ascents of this wreck, in the maritime area of ​​Antikythera, today hold an important place in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. They consist of the famous "Adolescent of Antikythera", a magnificent bronze statue of a naked god or hero of the 4th BC. century, a remarkable head of a "philosopher", two bronze statuettes of the 5th century BC. etc. The shipwreck is dated between 128-80 BC.
The archaeological site of Aegila, the ancient name of the island, stands eternal guard of the straits of Antikythera above the beach of Xiropotamos. In the "castle" we will see the walls, rooms, paths carved on the stone, the quarry and a neosoikos (sloped area for keeping a war or pirate ship) carved entirely in the rock, which is one of the few in the Greek area that is preserved whole. The strategic position of the island, which closes the exit of the Aegean to the southwest, leads the Persian empire, in the years of Alexander the Great, to build a fortress, an entire walled city - naval base on the island.
In many places its walls are kept at a height of 6 meters. The sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis was established in its port.
Every summer during the month of August, excavations are carried out at the archaeological site, which can be visited and guided by the archaeological mission of the Ministry of Culture. Antikythera is located at a hub where millions of birds pass through on their journey between Europe and Africa.
In Potamos, a 19th century watermill, one of the few that have been saved in Greece, is preserved in very good condition. In addition to the water mill, there are also five other windmills from the 19th century. The Lighthouse of Apolitara, at the southern end of the island, has an interesting history and is located in a particularly beautiful location. It was built in 1926 and its height is about 23 meters. The natural beauty of the wild landscape with the sea as a background will be strongly imprinted in the visitor's memory.