KEA (TZIA)

(Pocket Guide )
KEA

Kea or Tzia as the island is also commonly known, is the westernmost island of the Cyclades group. Its shoreline is 85 kilometers and its surface area
covers 131 square kilometers.The port is just 40 miles from Piraeus and 16 miles from Lavrion, making it the closest island the Cyclades group to
Athens. There are daily sailings from Lavrion, and travel time is about one hour. There are also boat connections to Syros and Kithnos from the island.

Kea stands out for its rich flora. Visitors can admire its woods of royal oak, one of the few remaining oak woods in the Aegean. Acorn oaks grow in the
central and eastern parts of the island. The island claims 16 of the 1,300 plant species endemic to Greece. Five of these have been designated rare,
and southeastern is protected under the Natura 2000 program.

Wild orchids, medicinal herbs, aromatic shrubs, rare mushrooms, multicolored lichens, chestnut trees, maples, Phoenician junipers, terebinths, Judas
trees, crocuses, irises, bellflowers, anemones, wild roses, hyacinths, wild gladiolas, asphodels, and Spanish broom carpet the island, creating a unique
palette of colors and perfuming the air with their fragrances to the delight of all nature-loving visitors and inhabitants.

Kea's coast curves into small bays and coves; it's also riddled with sea caves. The expansive Ayios Nikolaos Bay, one of the Mediterranean's largest
natural harbors, is on the island's northwest coast while Otzias, on the east, is open to northerly winds. Harbors on the island's northwest are at
Koundouros, while there is also anchorage at Poles and Spathi coves on the eastern coast and Poisses on the western coast. The seabed off the coast
is carpeted by large fields of marine seagrass or Posidonia.

HISTORY

In mythology, Kea was known as Hydroussa because of its plentiful water and thick vegetation. Its woods were said to be inhabited by Nymphs, who
abandoned the island, prompting Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, scorched Hydroussa and the other Cyclades and transform them into a barren
landscape. The arid conditions and barren terrain forced the island's inhabitants to seek help from the demi-god Aristaeus of Thessaly, a son of Apollo
and the Nymph Cyrene. The gods were appeased by the offerings made by Aristaeus and the waterlessness became less harsh. Since then, northerly
winds known as meltemia blow over the islands for forty days when Sirius's constellation, the Big Dog, is visible.

Kea is named after the hero Keos, also a son of Apollo but with the Nymph Rhoedessa. Keos is believed to have lived on the island in the early eleventh
century B.C. Finds from excavations at Kefalas suggest Kea has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Traces of prehistoric human habitation have been
found on the Ayia Irini peninsula and at the village of Vourkari.

From the Bronze Age through the end of the Mycenaean period, the settlement at Ayia Irini made its mark on history and Early Aegean Civilization: in
the sixteenth century B.C., Ayia Irini served as the hub between the Minoan and Mycenaean worlds, emerging as an important center for trade and
culture.

The Ionians' arrival during the Archaic period led to the founding of the cities of Ioulis, Carthaia, Coryssus, and Poiessa, which also flourished,
economically and culturally. Kea was famous for its political system, which caught the attention of Aristotle and is described in his "Keion Politeia".

The lawmaker Aristides, one of the seven sages of ancient Greece and known for his strict, model legislation, hailed from Kea. One of these laws was
titled "Keion to Nomimon", according to which any citizen whose intellectual faculties and physical abilities were no longer beneficial to society should
die. Thus, anyone over the age of seventy ended their own lives by drinking conium (or hemlock) from the mandrake. This practice ended in the third
century A.D. as the population converted to Christianity.

From the dawn of the Byzantine Empire, Kea was included in the eparchy of Hellas and came under the administration of the Eastern Roman state. The
independence of the island's four cities ended with the Roman empire, and Ioulis became Kea's sole center of culture.

Under Venetian rule, the acropolis of ancient Ioulis was fortified, while during the rule of the Justinian and Venetian dynasties (1207-1566), Kea was
conquered successively by various Latin rulers.

It was during Venetian rule that the island became known as Tzia. In 1537, the island fell to the Turks; it subsequently suffered great destruction during
the Russo-Turkish War.

Kea took an active part in the Greek war of independence, following the 1821 revolt, and officially became a part of the Modern Greek State in 1830.

SIGHTS

The prehistoric settlement at Ayia Irini. The ruins of the prehistoric settlement at Ayia Irini can be seen on the northern side of the Ayia Irini peninsula.
The site was inhabited from Neolithic times through the 15th century B.C. when, according to historical sources, it was destroyed by a severe
earthquake.

Ancient Carthaia. Carthaia was one of four cities that flourished on Kea in antiquity. The most important ruins in the area are:

● The fifth-century-B.C. temple of Apollo marked by six decorated columns

● The temple of Athena, built in the late sixth century to early fifth century B.C. Fragments of a sculptured pediment with scenes from the battle of
the Amazons have been unearthed at the site.
● Ayia Marina Tower. The Tower of Ayia Marina is located in Kea's interior, between the sites of ancient Coryssus and Poiessa. It was built during
the Hellenistic period and is a typical example of a detached fortified tower.
● The Monastery of Panayia Kastriani perched on Kastri hill.
● The Lion of Tzia sculpted into a rock over Ioulida. The lion figures in a number of local legends.
● The restored stone windmills at Koundouros.
● The Town Hall at Ioulida, a neoclassical building erected in 1902 and decorated with ceramic sculptures of Apollo and Hermes.
● The public school at Ioulida, a neoclassical building designed by the Bavarian court architect Ernst Ziller.
● Paintings by Alekos Fassianos on one of the shelters in the capital's main square.
● The acropolis of ancient Ioulis with visible ruins of the temple of Apollo and medieval fortifications added in the 13th century.
BEACHES
● At Otzia: Otzia, Ladous
● At Vourkari: Three sand beaches
● At Panayia Kastriani: Spathi
● At Korissia: Xyla, Yialiskari
● At Koundouros (Nirissos), south of Tzia: Koundouro, Ayios Aimilianos, Kambi, Liparo, Bouri, Frear, Hilomodou, Panayitsa, Ligia
● On the island's northeastern coast (Panomeria): Spathi, Kalydonyhi, Psathi, Orkos

EVENTS
● On New Year's eve, Cultural Association members perform traditional carols from the island, accompanied by two folk instruments-the tsambouna
and the toubou.
● During the carnival preceding Orthodox Lent, costume balls, games, and clown shows are organized to entertain locals and visitors. Events
climax in the last week of carnival with a parade through Ioulida and theater performances satirizing local traditions. Guests are treated to local
wines, souvlaki, and rice pudding, courtesy of the municipality.
● The observance of the feast of Ayios Haralambos, the island's patron saint.
● The Feast of the Fairy Tales, an event organized to highlight local myths and folk tales.
● The Simonideia, a program of cultural events (theater, concerts, sports competitions).
● The paniyiri (religious and folk festival) in observance of the Metamorphosis Sotiros (Transformation of the Savior) on August 6 at Pisses.
● The August 15 paniyiri in observance of the Dormition of the Virgin.
● The paniyiri in observance of the feast of Ayios Sozon at Otzia on September 7.

USEFUL PHONES

MUNICIPALITY OF ΚΕΑ 2288360000

CITIZENS SERVICE BUREAU (KEP) 2288021150
MEDICAL CENTRE 2288022200
PORT STATION 2288021344
POLICE STATION 2288021100
TRAVEL AGENCY OF KEA 2288021500
BUS STATION 6938996126

ORGANIZATIONS CATALOGUE

ACCOMMODATION

ST. GEORGE BUNGALOWS KEA KOSTIS ROOMS HOLIDAY ROOMS

KEA (TZIA) - KOUNDOUROS,2288031385, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021918,
KEA (TZIA) - OTZIAS,2288021151, 6945155382
6944074390 6932612003

GIANNIS APARTMENTS TO ILIOVASILEMA GIALISKARI

KEA (TZIA) - GIALISKARI,2288021419, KEA (TZIA) - GIALISKARI,2288021197,
KEA (TZIA) - PISSES,2288031332
6979742563 6975791509

Vourkari Village EMAGE KEA HOLIDAYS

KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288022221, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021295, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021241,
6970011093 6934619801 6930798930

GALINI THALASSINO AGERI KEA VILLAS

KEA (TZIA) - GIALISKARI,2288021615,
KEA (TZIA) - PISSES,2288031316, 6989235680 KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,2288022120, 6972243330
6980888277

ELEFTHERIA DIMITRIOU SERVOU PANORAMA LEFKES

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,6970092644, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288022046, KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021443,
6970092644 6976189880 6932276561

ANEMOYSA RED TRACTOR FARM OKEANIDA

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021346, KEA (TZIA) - GIALISKARI,2288021960,
KEA (TZIA) - OTZIAS,2288021335, 6937648707
6977621107 6932298539

UNITED EUROPE KORALLI STUDIOS ABODE IN KEA

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021362, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021268,
KEA (TZIA) - KOUNDOUROS,6983797859
6977750948 6936687953

EYANGELOS ISIDOROU POLITIS SPYRIDON DOKERIS AIGIS SOUITES

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021481 , KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021825,
KEA (TZIA) - PISSES,2288031331, 6977355935
6976335303 6974701881

CAVO PERLEVO ALPHA STUDIO

KEA (TZIA) - OTZIAS,2288021450, 6977350702 KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288022695,
 6972534534

RESTAURANTS

MAGAZES TO SPITI STI CHORA MOUZAKI

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021104, KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,6941554481, KEA (TZIA) - PISSES,2288031223,
6934359266 6944773232 6937287229

LAGOUDERA Piatsa TASOS

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021977, KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,2288022195, KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021379,
6936166049 6974496589 6948201368

TON KALOFAGADON AIGIS ESTIATORIO O FILIPPOS

KEA (TZIA) -
KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,2288022118, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021690,
VOURKARI,2288021825,
6932447892 6973583017
6974701881

KEA TO STEKI TOU STRONGYLI I TAVERNA TOU SIMOU

KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021177, KEA (TZIA) - KATO
KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021025
6937944971 MERIA,2288024280, 6974102438

ALL AROUND BINYLIO VOURKARION

KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021080 ,
KEA (TZIA) - TO STEKI TIS RITSAS
VOURKARI,2288022444, KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,2288022088, 6972376735
6970565860
6972466607

ENTERTAINMENT

LEON BREEZE FINGER FOOD BAR CAFE VARADI

KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288028015, KEA (TZIA) - MILOPOTAMOS,2288022481,
KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,6976432158, 6976432158
6978442611 6972775798

EN PLO BOTZI CAFE ZEUS FABER

KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021784, KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021329,
KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288022081
6932941940 6987410707

PAPA DOBLE KOKKA CAFE ALL AROUND BINYLIO

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288028005, KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021080 ,
KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288028012
6972029009 6970565860

TRAVEL AGENCIES - RENTALS

PLOES KEAS E.E LEON RENT A CAR STEGADI

KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,6948505899, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021898, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021435,
6948505899 6937185053 6939326949

EOS RENTALS
KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288029140,
6986821418

ACTIVITIES

FOLKLORE MUSEUM OF KEA IN

Viomatiko agroktima Aristaios KEA DIVERS
MYLOPOTAMOS KEA (TZIA) - VOURKARI,2288021853,
KEA (TZIA) - MILOPOTAMOS,2288022481, KEA (TZIA) - MILOPOTAMOS,2288021345
6973430860
6972775798

LOCAL PRODUCTS

OAKMEAL Acorn Foods ANTHEA'S THYMAROTOPOS I.K.E.

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,6977077791, KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021042,
KEA (TZIA) - MILOPOTAMOS,2288029099
6977077791 6946023228

KOKKINO TRAKTER STIN TZIA MELI EYANGELOS POLITIS ARISTAIOS

KEA (TZIA) - KORISSIA,2288021346, KEA (TZIA) - MILOPOTAMOS,2288021345,
KEA (TZIA) - PISSES,2288031331, 6977355935
6977621107 6980368806

FARMA KASTANIES
KEA (TZIA) - IOULIDA,2288024026, 6977409422