Τα Κύθηρα ...

Kythera, an island also known by its old Venetian name Tsirigo (Cerigo) is, according to mythology, the island of the Heavenly Goddess Aphrodite and of Eros. It is located in Southern Greece, just off the tip of the Peloponnese, near Elafonisos and Cape Malea. Kythera is linked throughout the year by ferry with Piraeus and Crete’s Kastelli. It is also linked to Kalamata, Gythio and Neapolis in the Peloponnese. The island has its own airport with flights to and from Athens throughout the year operated by Olympic Air.
The birth of Aphrodite on Kythera, according to mythology, defined the future course of the island. According to Hesiod's Theogony, Aphrodite was born in the froth of the waves of Kythera, when the genitals of Uranus fell into sea after being cut off by Saturn. According to this version of the myth, the waves swept her away and the goddess arrived in Paphos, Cyprus, where she was worshiped as the patron goddess of the island. It is from this island that the goddess is often referred to as Kytheria Aphrodite. The founding of a temple for this goddess in the very early years on the island, attributed to Kythera the Homeric description zathea, which means holy.
The population is 3,354 inhabitants (2001 census). The capital of the island has 579 residents and important villages are Livadi with 370 and Potamos with 400 residents. The rest of residents are scattered in many (almost 60) small villages, throughout the island. Αdministratively it is a municipality and together with the nearby island of Antikythera, make up the Province of Kythera, which belongs to the Prefecture of Piraeus. Historically Kythera and Antikythera belong to the Ionian Islands.
Main agricultural products are olive oil and honey. As a tourists’ destination, the island is becoming more and more popular. Contributing to its good reputation is the fact that all developments are under strict laws that help Kythera maintain its unique character.

The island has a large number of things to see, the most obvious being the numerous, scattered traditional villages. There are many Byzantine and Venetian monuments, and some English. The main attractions are:
The capital “Chora” with its traditional narrow streets and architecture, and of course its castle.
Kapsali, the port of Chora with the twin bays.
Paleochora, the ruined Byzantine capital of the island and the “Kaki Langada”, that leads out to sea from Paleochora, south towards Ag. Pelagia.
Mylopotamos, a traditional village in the west with the waterfall “Phonisa” and the medieval “Kato Chora” with its Venetian castle, stunning scenery and preserved Byzantine churches. Avlemonas, a quiet bay with a small Venetian castle.
The medieval Aroniadika and the many more traditional villages in the centre of the island.
The bridge at Katouni constructed by the British in 1829 which was the largest of its kind in Greece.
There are numerous old churches and monasteries on the island dating from the 13th century onwards. There are three monasteries: “Panagia Myrtidiotissa”, patroness of the island, “Agia Moni” and “Agia Elessa”. Tha latter two are built opposite each other on mountain tops. Churches may also be found in caves at three separate places on the island.