The Myth and History of Kythera

According to Hesiod's myth, the Kytherian sea is the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. When Gaia sought to punish her husband Uranus for his transgressions, she enlisted her children to end his reign. Kronos, wielding a scythe, fulfilled his mother's wish by severing Uranus' genitals, which fell into the sea near Kythera, transforming into small islands. The mingling of Uranus' blood with the sea foam gave rise to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Though born in Kythera, Aphrodite journeyed to Cyprus in a grand shell, where she made her home.

The symbolism of Aphrodite and Kythera has captivated artists for centuries, inspiring works like Jean-Antoine Watteau’s painting "The Embarkation for Cythera," Renaissance poetry, and the cinematography of Theo Angelopoulos. This enduring fascination reflects humanity's eternal quest for distant and desirable ideals.

A Crossroads of Cultures

Kythera stands as a cultural crossroads in the Mediterranean, welcoming pirates, colonists, ascetics, and the persecuted throughout its history. Inhabited since the Neolithic era, the island's soil conceals artifacts from the Bronze Age, Early Greek, and Early Minoan periods. The Minoans, who established one of their earliest colonies in Kastri (modern-day Palaiopolis), used Kythera to control the surrounding region as early as the 20th century BC.

The Phoenicians later colonized the island, processing laver to dye their garments a deep red. They named the island Porphyris or Porphyrousa and built a temple dedicated to Aphrodite, importing the worship of a similar deity from the East.

Following the Phoenicians, the Mycenaeans dominated Kythera in the 14th century BC. The island's control oscillated between the Athenians and Spartans during the Peloponnesian Wars, eventually leading to a period of peace after 421 BC.

From Byzantine to Modern Times

Kythera became part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century AD, leaving a strong religious legacy with over three hundred monuments and churches. The island experienced periods of desertion and resettlement, notably by the Evdemonogiannis families from Monemvasia in the 11th century.

The Venetian Republic later annexed Kythera, installing the Venieri family to rule. Despite political shifts, the Orthodox faith thrived, and the island's population grew. However, Kythera faced significant challenges, including devastating earthquakes and pirate raids, notably by Hayreddin Barbarossa in 1537.

In the 19th century, Kythera was briefly under French and then British control before uniting with Greece in 1864. The island played an active role in the National Resistance during World War II, becoming one of the first regions in Greece to be liberated.

Today, Kythera's rich history and natural beauty continue to enchant visitors, offering a glimpse into its storied past and vibrant cultural heritage.