The chapel of Agios Ioannis Theologos is situated near the settlement of Kapsali, 2.5 km south of Kythera. The chapel was built in 1592, on a steep slope, thus it is called Agios Ioannis Gremon (: St John of the crevices). It was built in honour of the Evangelist John, as it is said that he lived here for a while, on his way to Patmos, writing part of the Apocalypses. The steep slope makes access to the church difficult, yet the view compensates for this. The pilgrims who come here on August 29th for the feast day of the church, usually stay in the preserved cells next to the church.
The monastery of Agia Moni (:Holy Monastery) is situated northwest of the village of Diakofti, 30 km away from Kythera. It was built in 1840 and dedicated to Our Lord the Saviour. Tradition claims that the monastery's holy icon was found in the bushes by a shepherd, in 1759. It is said that Theodoros Kolokotronis prayed here for a successful outcome to the Greek Revolution. To thank the Lord, he helped renovate the monastery in 1822. On August 6, the monastery's nameday, a multitude of pilgrims come here to pay their respects to the miraculous icon.
In the village of Avlemonas, 32 km northeast of Hora, one can admire parts of an old rectangular Venetian castle, built in 1565. On the castle's walls, one will admire the carved blazon of the Lion of Agios Markos. Also of note are the Venetian canons, which are still standing.
The stone bridge of Kandouni is situated near the village of Livadi, 4 km north of the island's capital. It is the largest construction on the island, as it is 150 m long, 24 m high and 6 m wide. The bridge forms 13 arcades which join the settlement of Livadi with Kandouni. The bridge was constructed by the English during the period when Mackvel was the commissioner of the island. A lot of tourists visit the area to admire the bridge.
The Castle of Milopotamos is not only of the most significant sight-seeings in the area, but in the whole island, as well. It was built by the Venetians, in 1565 AD, after the destruction of the old capital -Palaiohora- by the pirate Barbarossa, in 1537. Above the central gate, the blazon of the "Lion of St Marcus and the Venetians", is beautiful carved. The Castle housed the residencies of the rich and the powerful families, store houses and laboratories for producing aliments.
Today, here stand the ruins of the old houses and part of the castle's walls. From the Castle's single-nave marble temples with the beautiful painted walls, the only ones still existing are the churches of Agios Athantasios, Agios Ioannis Hrissostomos and Agios Cosmas.
From Milopotamos' Castle on can distinguish the ruins of the School built during the English Occupation, by Mackvel, in 1825.
The monastery Myrtidion is situated near the village of Kalokerines, 12 km west of the island's capital. It is built among the myrtles, near the beach, overlooking the sea.
According to tradition, the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary was found here by a shepherd, guided by a vision, in the 14th century. Although the shepherd took the icon to his home, the next day, the icon had disappeared only to be found again in the same place, a fact which was interpreted as Virgin Mary's wish for her icon to remain there. Originally, in this location, the people of the island built a small church which monk Leondios later extended by adding two new wings -the wings of St Theodoros and Zoodochos Pigi. The monastery, in its currently form, was founded in 19th century (1841-1857) by the Abbot Agathagelos Kalligeras.
The church is small, built in the style of a three-nave basilica and it is quite similar to the church of Evagelistria, on the island of Tinos. In the church, one will admire the icons from the 17th and 18th century. The most valuable icon is the one of Virgin Mary, which has a gold carved exterior which, in 1837, replaced the previously silver one. Tradition says that the icon was constructed by the Evangelist Lucas whose model was Virgin Mary herself, and this is why the characteristics of the face are so vivid.
Outside the church one will be impressed by the tall stone bell-toll, which was finished by Nikolaos Fatseas in 1888, as well as by the carefully preserved gardens. The church is crowded during the summer festival of August 15, as well as on September 24, when the icon was found.
In the village of Karavas, 35 km north of Hora, there are a lot of springs irrigating the village's green plane trees, as well as the almond trees and the eucalyptus. The scenery is majestic, with many trees and crystal-clear waters. Among the village's springs, the most dominating is the spring of Amir Ali, named after the Turk tax-collector who died here during the Ottoman rule.
The Castle of Hora in Kythera is a typical example of a western fortification, and it still stands in very food condition. The Castle's construction began in 1316 from the Venetian Venteri family, upon the ruins of an old Byzantine fort, built in 1150. In 1503, the Castle's walls were reconstructed and extended.
The Castle's history is similar to the island's disorderly history. At first, due to the constant pirate raids, the Castle housed the town of Kythera, the barracks, the storage rooms, the headquarters and the people's homes. During the Turkish Occupation, many fighters from the mainland sought refuge here. When the Ionian Islands were united with the rest of Greece in 1864, the celebration took place here.
In the Castle, the Historical Archives of Kythera are housed in the building which once served as the Venetian Master's and, later, the English Commissioner's residence. In the surrounding area of Messa Bourgo, there are some preserved churches, such as the church of Panagia Orfani, Agia Triada, Panagia Myrtidiotissa, Agios Ioannis and Pandokrator. From the Castle (built at an altitude of 250 m) the view to the sea and Hora is captivating.
The castle of Palaiohora, also known as Castle of Agios Dimitrios, is the oldest castle on the island, and it is situated 9 km away from the village of Potamos. The castle literally "climbs" on a steep rock surrounded by precipices. It was built in the 12th century and renovated a year later by the Evdemoyiani family, who used the architectural style of their home town, Monemvassia.
In the early 16th century the Castle encompassed the Byzantine capital of the island which was dedicated to St Dimitrios. It provides refuge for many Greek from Mistras and other parts of Peloponissos, who were persecuted by the Turk "Mohammed the Conqueror". This was a period of fame for the Castle. At that time, it had 800 inhabitants and 72 churches. Nevertheless, in 1537, during one of pirate Barbarossa's most destructive raids, the Castle was completely destroyed.
Today, one can still admire parts of the town's medieval houses, as well as parts of churches such as the church of Agia Varvara and of Agios Andonios.
The cave of Agia Sofia is situated in a steep rock 60 m. high, outside Milopotamos, 15 km, northwest of Kythera. It is one of the most beautiful Greek caves. It was named after the chapel of Agia Sofia, which stands at the cave's entrance. The chapel was built in 1785 in honour of Agia Sofia, whose corpse is said to have been found here.
The cave's interior is separated into numerous chambers. In the chamber where the chapel is one can admire a small lake with beautifully coloured water. The walls are covered with lovely stalactites and stalagmites of several sizes, as well as amazing murals from the 11th and 12th centuries. The chambers have names which refer to the colour and shape of the stalactites, such as "Venus's Chambers and Bathroom". There are also the Chambers of Ambers, of Pearls, of Bats, of Pine trees and of Leo.
The historical archives of Kythera are kept in the Castle of Hora. This building was the residence of the Lord Commissioner during the Venetian rule and the English Occupation. In the building one will find a multitude of manuscripts from all the historical periods of the island.
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