KYTHIRA TRAVEL GUIDE

KYTHIRA > HISTORY

HISTORY

Due to the strategic geographical location Kythira has had many conquerors through the ages. In Neolithic times it seems that it was habited by the Minoans for the first time in the settlement of Skandis known today as Paleohora. Kythira was a Minoan naval base for their travels to the west. Later the Dorians followed by the Phoenicians who traded in the valuable purple dye produced here. The Phoenicians brought with them the adoration of Aphrodite (Celestial Venus), goddess of love and friendship. In those times Kythira was known as Royal Purple, because the island was rich in Porfiras (purple), a snail from which the colour was produced.

The Mycenaeans followed the Phoenicians in 14th century BC, who were then followed by the Spartans in 6th century BC who remained until the Hellenic Classical period. The Athenians came many times especially during the period of the Peloponnese Wars. The island laid waste in the early Christian years due to the pirate invasions. From 395 AD the island passes into the Byzantium period. In 12th century Agios Dimitrios, today’s Paleohora become the Byzantium capital of the island with a large population and many churches.

In 1207, the island was conquered by the Venetians and was renamed Cerigo. Because of the strong feudal system that was enforced by the Venetians many inhabitants left the island. In 1537, the capital was conquered and destroyed by the pirate Barbarossa with a large proportion of the population being killed, those that survived were captured and sold in the slave markets of Smyrni. The Venetian occupation continued to 1797 when the French conquered the island with the exception of a small portion that was occupied by the Turks.

In 1815, the Treaty of Paris was signed that recognised the United State of Ionian Islands under the sovereignty of England. The English regenerate and develop the island, but suppressing the Greeks. The English possession expires in 1864 then Kythira with the other Ionian Islands join with free Greece.

During the WWII the islanders participated strongly in the resistance of the German occupation. On 4th September 1944 Kythira was the first region of Greece to regain its freedom.