KITHNOS

(Pocket Guide )
KYTHNOS

Kithnos, or Thermia as it is also known, is the first island on western Cyclades sea routes and an ideal destination for short breaks as well as long
holidays. Countless beaches, the typically Cycladic landscape dotted with dry stone walls (xerolithies), and locals' warm hospitality extend a welcoming
embrace.

The island is about one hour from Lavrio on high-speed boats and 90 minutes by ferry; from Piraeus is a three-hour journey by ferry.

HISTORY

Kithnos is named after Kithno, chief of the Dryopes and the island's first settler. By another account, the island's name derives from the root "kith", from
which the verb keftho (I hide) also derives and suggests its name means "hiding place".

Mesolithic artifacts unearthed in recent excavations in the Maroulas offer evidence that the island may be the oldest settlement in the Cyclades.

Herodotus mentions that in the 13th century B.C., the Dryopes arrived on the island where they built Cyclopean walls and impressive temples. The
island was subsequently settled by Ionians.

Kithnos contributed a trireme (ancient galley with three banks of oars) to the Greek fleet in the Persian wars and joined the Athenian League (or
Confederacy). Later, the island came under the Roman empire and subsequently the Byzantine empire, where it was part of the Aegean theme.

Under Venetian rule, Kithnos was taken by Marco Sanudo and named Thermia because of its warm waters.

Pillaged by the pirate Barbarossa in 1537, the island remained under Venetian rule before passing into Russian hands after the Russo-Turkish war.

In 1827, the island reverts to its ancient name, Kithnos, and joins the Greek revolt for independence from the Ottoman empire. During the reign of King
Othon (Otto), dissenters were exiled to the island. In 1862, rebels from Syros clashed with the army at Ayia Irini Bay in a bid to free detainees on Syros.
The uprising was put down and three rebels-Leotsakos, Moraitinis, and Skravelis-killed in the fighting.

Today, the local economy revolves around tourism along with farming and other occupations. Kithnos offers visitors the perfect combination of Cycladic
beauty, pristine waters, and local produce-meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, and fresh fish.

SIGHTS

Maroulas

Excavations at Maroulas uncovered a Mesolithic (9000-8000 B.C.) settlement. Evidence suggests it may have been a resupply station or staging base.
Archaeologists unearthed circular dwellings and graves, while finds included a human skeleton and a number of stone tools made from firestone, quartz,
and obsidian. The site is the only open-air Mesolithic settlement known in Greece.

Kastro Orias

The Oria kastro (fortifications) is located on the island's northern area, between Sklavo and Yialoudi hills just before reaching of Cape Kefalos.

Wind and Solar Park

The wind-power and solar-energy park is located near the heliport, just outside Hora. Wind-powered generators and solar heat collectors at the park are
used to power the island.

Byzantine Museum

A small Byzantine collection is housed in Ai Georgis church at Dryopida and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Ai Minas Church

The church dominates Dryopida and is worth visiting for its exquisite wood-carved iconostasis and epitaphios (funerary bier used in Holy Week services)
and a bishop's throne that offers a fine example of folk art.

Ayios Savvas Church

The church is located in Hora. A carving over the threshold establishes the year of its founding as 1613.

Folklore Museum

Located in Dryopida, the museum features a small but interesting collection of antique tools and other implements that offer a flavor of day to day life in
earlier centuries alongside a collection of traditional costumes.

Panayia Kanala Monastery

Dedicated to Panayia Kanala (Our Lady of Kanala), the island's patron, the monastery is built into the rocks near the coastal settlement at Kanala.
Panayia tou Nikous Monastery

Located about 800 meters from Hora, the monastic community likely takes its name from the Byzantine-era Panayia tis Nikopoiou, that is, Our Lady
Who Brings Victory (nike).

Katafyki Cave

One of the Greece's largest caves, Katafyki features stalactite and stalagmite formations. It's located at Dryopida.

Thermal Baths

The Kithnos Spa was built at Loutra in 1857. It's open daily from June through October and has two medicinal springs where visitors can take treatment.
The baths of King Othon (Otto) and Queen Amalia, the first monarchs of the Modern Greek State, are exhibited here.

BEACHES

Kithnos has countless coves, bays, and beaches with pristine waters and natural shade:

Ayia Irini: Small beach opposite Loutra

Ayios Dimitrios: Large, pretty sand beach on the island's southernmost point; forms part of the waterfront of Ayios Dimitrios settlement.

Ayios Stefanos: Sheltered beach on the island's eastern coast. Sand, pebble, and natural shade from tamarisks growing along the shoreline.

Ayios Sostis: Gorgeous beach on the island's northernmost tip, with fine pebbles and sand named after the nearby church of Ayios Sostis.

Apokrousi: One of the island's longest beaches with sand and natural shade.

Gaidouromantra: Large, sandy beach with clear water.

Episkopi: Pretty sheltered cover with sand and tamarisks growing along the shore.

Zogaki: Southernmost of the trio of beaches-Naoussa, Kouri, and Zogaki-linked by stepped footpaths.

Kalo Livadi: Located on the island's southeastern coast, it is marked by the church of Panayia Kalolivadiotissa perced on a rocky outcrop.

Kolona: Impressive beach divided by a low sandbank into two sand beaches.

Kavouroheri: Small beach located between Potamia and Maroula.

Kouri: Picturesque beach between Naoussa and Zogaki coves.

Lefkes: Beach in front of the Lefkes settlement; sand, pebbles, and natural shade.

Liotrivi: Small beach off the road to Kalo Livadi.

Loutra: Pretty beach opening off the village of Loutra. Swim at selected spots to catch currents from the spa.

Martinakia: Small sand beach just past Merihas on the road towards Loutra.

Mavrianos: Quiet beach on the eastern coast.

Megali Ammos Kanalas: Large, sand beach on the second bay beneath the church of Panayia Kanala; swimming on the left-hand bay is at a spot called
Antonides.

Merihas: Beach next to Merihas village, with pristine waters and fine sand.

Naoussa: Pretty beach on the eastern coast with a view of a church perched atop a rock hill.

Petroussa: Small beach on the island's southernmost tip accessible via Ayios Dimitrios.

Potamia: Sheltered and shady beach along the route to Ayios Sostis.

Simousi: Quiet beach on the island's southeastern coast.

Stifo: Pretty, quiet beach along the route to Ayios Dimitrios.

Schoinari: Sandy, shaded beach next to Loutra.

Trivlaka: Small bay on the island's western coast.

Fykiada: Beach wth golden sand framed by a gorgeous setting.

Flambouria: Large sand and pebble beach marked by the church of Panayia Flambouriani.

EVENTS

The paniyiri is a combination religious and folk feast held to observance saint's days and other important dates, featuring traditional foods and music.

● April 23: Ayios Georgios

● June: Ayia Triada
● June 30: Ayii Apostoloi
 ● July 20: Profitis Ilias
● July 26: Ayia Paraskevi
● August 6: Sotiros
● August 15: Panayias Kanala, Panayia tou Nikous, Panayias Stratolatissa
● August 23: Panayia tou Kastrou, Panayias Flambouriani
● September 8: Panayias Kanala

USEFUL PHONES

MUNICIPALITY OF KITHNOS 2281031277

CITIZENS SERVICE BUREAU (KEP) 2281031640
MEDICAL CENTRE 2281032234
PORT STATION 2281032290
POLICE STATION 2281031201
INFORMATION CENTRE 2281032250
BUS STATION 2281032250
TAXI STATION 6944276656

ORGANIZATIONS CATALOGUE

ACCOMMODATION

KYTHNOS BAY HOTEL ROMANTZA KONTSETA ROOMS

LOUTRA,2281031218 MERICHAS,2281032375, 6977799357 MERICHAS,2281033024, 6974490770

Eneos Beach Villas DELFINI ROOMS NIRIIDES

LOUTRA,6973555154, 6973555155 LOUTRA,2281031219, 6946061025 LOUTRA,2281031533, 6945272172

ALOZI FOINIKAS Efkalyptos - Enoikiazomena Domatia

MERICHAS,2281032419, 6974767236 MERICHAS,2281032203, 6945754214 MERICHAS,2281032316, 6947844379

VATHYSTHEA PORTO KLARAS FYROI STUDIOS

DRIOPIDA,2105810786, 6945858649 LOUTRA,2281031276, 6932215777 LOUTRA,2281031540, 6978583793

HOTEL MESSARIA KYKLADES AKROGIALIA KANALA

CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031672, 6972020261 LOUTRA,2109715294, 6944902141 KANALA,2281032366, 6944156473

FROSO STUDIOS ANNA AGNADI

KANALA,2281032509, 6977553032 MERICHAS,2281032702, 6947226636 MERICHAS,2281032807, 6948757644

PANORAMA GIANNOULIS IOANNA

MERICHAS,2281032184, 6945497368 MERICHAS,2281032092, 6945544056 MERICHAS,2281032858, 6944312643

LEYKES VILLA ELENA - MARTINAKIA EIRIANNA

DRIOPIDA,2281032211, 6947616649 MERICHAS,2281032275, 6907001840 LOUTRA,2281031455, 6949196001

BOURITI ELENI TZAMAROS TO GIASEMI LOUKIA KYNALI

MERICHAS,2281032005, 6974204537 MERICHAS,2281032248, 6940866956 LOUTRA,2281031500, 6972775905

ARCHIPELAGOS ASTRINI STUDIOS Flora Vasalou Rooms

KANALA,2281032380, 6938012160 KANALA,6949449785, 6949449785 LOUTRA,2281031450, 6972909563

XENONAS AFRODITI EN LEFKO KYTHNOS PELLI

LOUTRA,2281031651, 6945951356 MERICHAS,2281032792, 6974311136 LOUTRA,2281031056, 6936783862

MARTINOS STUDIOS MARGARITA ROOMS KYTHNOS

MERICHAS,2281032469, 6977318390 KANALA,2281032265, 6948367840

RESTAURANTS

MOLOS O STAMATIS TO STEKI TOU NTETZI

MERICHAS,2281032455, 6973408443 CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031489, 6944769419 CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031204, 6972011327

ARIAS CAVOD'ORO O MILAS

KITHNOS,2281031371, AGIOS DIMITRIOS,2281032815,
LOUTRA,2281031469, 6942640946
6974003180 6976706194

YACHTING CLUB- MESSARIA ARCHIPELAGOS

RESTAURANT SOFRANO CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031620,
KANALA,2281032380, 6938012160
LOUTRA,2281031436, 6932603023 6977638399

ENTERTAINMENT
SAILOR THE ROCK CASTLE KOURSAROS
LOUTRA,2281031441, 6949847825 MERICHAS,2281032466, 6973795429 CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031270, 6949444785

APOKALYPSI POUNTAKI PRIME

CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031272, 6947605251 EPISKOPI,2281032278, 6992869066

TRAVEL AGENCIES - RENTALS

ANTONIS
MERICHAS,2281032104, 6944906568

LOCAL PRODUCTS

Cat with Hat TRATAMENTO PANACHORI

CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031766, 6982918850 CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031638, 6936474180 CHORA KYTHNOU,2281031534, 6973692273