kythera

kithira island Ionian islands Kythera Island Sparti Neapolis Lakonia mystras Mt. taygetos travel pictures

Ducks strolling on the beach by the port of Neapolis. The ferry apart from an alternative way to Kythera, is also the only link to the smaller island of Elafonissos

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Neapolis (Lakonia / Southeastern Peloponese)

Statue in tribute to the "Unknown Sailor" at Neapolis port and (background pic) from aboard, partial view of the town with the cloudy slopes of Mt Parnon (1935m) in the background. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background picture

Part of the break-water viewed from aboard while entering Diakofti, the main port of Kythera about one hour away from Neapolis.

Kythera (Ionian Islands)

The break-water connects to an islet and forms a semi natural shelter against the strong winds which more than often lash the island

...unlucky detour...the shipwreck (Aug 2000) of the Antiguan flagged freighter Nordland aground by the islet of Fidonissi (snake island) outside the port of Diakofti. The oiled sites in the spilled area, though significantly cleaned thanks to natural cleaning, are still visible. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

The rocky islet of Hytra (=kettle) viewed from the castle of Hora.

View from castle of Hora to the twin bays of Kapsali and (background) to the town of Hora. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

View to Hora with the castle on the background and (background), the initially " Virgin Mary of The Latins" (16th cent) and since 1806 orthodox church of Myrtidiotissa inside the castle of Hora. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Traditional house of typically minimal architecture in town of Potamos.

Restored mansion of "neoclassic" style in town of Potamos.

The 13 and 7 arched bridges at Kato Livadi-Katouni- and (background) Potamos along with many smaller ones are landmarks from the period of English rule (1809-1854) on the island. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

The main entrance to the remnants of the small Venetian castle (1565) at Mylopotamos

Venetian emblem engraved above the entrance of an old home in Hora. Mentioned in mythology as the birth place of Aphrodite, Kythera due to it's strategic location between Greek mainland and Crete was often the object of conflict between Athens and Sparta. In the later times after the Byzantine decline, Kythera was occupied by the Venetians (13th-18th century) until, after two short intervals of French (1797-1788) and Russian-Turkish (1798-1800) rule, it became part of the "Eptanisos Politia" (1800-1808) the first modern form of a "sovereign" greek state consisted of the Ionian Islands. After a period of indigeneous conflicts and involvement of foreign powers (French 1808-1809 and English till 1864) Kythera along with the rest of Ionian islands, was passed (1864) to the, since the revolution of 1821, emerging modern Greek state. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic,

At the fountain of Fonissa or Neraida in Mylopotamos. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Fallen Fall foliage at the fountain of Fonissa (or Neraida) in Mylopotamos. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Remnants of the Byzantine casle town of "St. Dimitrios" (nowadays Paleohora= old country) originating from the 12th century. Hardly accessible and almost hidden from the rest of the island, Paleohora had exit to the sea through a narrow gorge (background pic). Once discovered by the notorious Ottoman admiral Barbarosa (aka Hayrredyn Barbaros) the old capital was totally destroyed (1537) and never rebuilt again. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Old steam-powered steam-roller aside the main road to Hora.

A dried tree in front of Byzantine ruins at Paleohora.

High school students and kindergarden kids in traditional costumes at the celebration and parade in Hora for the national anniversary of the "OHI" (=NO) day of 28th October 1940, when Greece rejected the ultimatum of fascist Italy and entered WII to obtain the first victory against the Axis. Incidentally, that involvement was decisive for another island complex, the Dodecanese (occupied by Italy) in the Aegean Sea, that was passed to Greece as reward after the war.... DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

High school students during the ceremony for the "OHI" day in Hora square.

High school students dancing in traditional costumes during the celebration in the square of Hora. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

The local philarmonic band parading in Hora for the "OHI" day.

Mt Taygetos and Mystras (Sparti / Lakonia / Peloponese)

A bit of hiking on Taygetos up to 1500m. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Views on the way to Anavriti from Maganiaris (part of route E4) a distance of about 15kms and 4 hours at medium pace.

Views on the way to Anavriti from Maganiaris

...trapped on Taygetos...

Mushrooms, colorful but poisenous . DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

...more views on the way.... DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Partial view to the remnants of upper castle of Mystras from the lower section of the castle town. Mystras was founded in 1249 by William De Villeharduin, leader of crussaders in Peloponese. Originally under Venetian inlfuence, Mystras passed to Byzantines ten years later, after the battle of Pelagonia (1259) and the capture of Villeharduin by Byzantine emperor Michaell VIII Palaeologus. Since then "The Despotate of Mystras" was the seat and the base of Byzantine administration for the recapture of Peloponese from the Franks. The last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI Palaeologus was crowned here in 1449 just 4 years before his death in the final battle and fall of Constantinople to the Turks.The economic flourish of Mystras owed to the silk production didn't last for long as far as the city was repeatedly plundered by Turks and Venetians and finally totally destroyed (1825) by Albanians and Turks during the Greek revolution.The few survivors of Mystras were among the first residents of the nearby town of Sparti founded in 1835 by king Otto on the site of ancient Sparta. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Partial view to the remnants of lowerr castle of Mystras and the valley of Sparti from the upper section of the castle town. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

The restored church of Perivleptos at the lower section of Mystras

The restored church of ("our Holly Lady) "Hodegetria" (leader of the way) at the lower section of Mystras

Hand written "Four Gospels" from the "Holly Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta" (14th century) illustrated with icons of the Evangelists at the museum of Mystras. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background picture

The archangels Gabriel and Michael and (background) the fresco of "Pantokrator" on the dome and the pulpit at Perivleptos. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

"Proskinitario" marble tablet (shrine) at the museum of Mystras

Giantes (wishbone) a minimal but greatly expressive portait of a young girl from the exhibition at the municipal gallery of Sparti. DO NOT CLICK, just DRAG ON to view/review background pic

Kythera Island and Sparti photography by bilwander Oct / Nov 2005

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