Mylopotamos

This village is like a world in and of itself! It would be easy to write a book on Mylopotamos. The village was set up during the Venetian era and was the third largest on the island behind Palaiochora (the former capital) and Chora (the current capital). The center of the village was the castle of Kato Chora: it is still preserved inside its walls but has been uninhabited for decades. As you enter the castle, look up and above the door you will notice the Lion of St. Mark, symbol of the Venetian Republic, also known as the Serenissima. Today, the central point of the village is the central square, from which depart all the roads and paths that will fill you with a sense of wonder. The central square is covered with enormous plane trees under which you can sit on one of the chairs of the small traditional café to contemplate the serenity of this place. The only sound you will hear in the afternoon is the bell of the Agios Sostis church, tolling to signal the new hour. Below the square are tanks filled with spring water, where in days of old village women would come to wash the family’s clothes. The place is laid out in such a way that the flowing water forms a small lake on which ducks have made their home. Walking through the alleyways of Mylopotamos will eventually lead you to Fonissa (the assassin), a hidden stream that starts with a spectacular waterfall. As you walk along the gully you will come across 23 water mills and several other waterfalls. At the end of this rugged but surprising path is the beach of Kalami, where you can spend the night. Kato Chora, the Venetian castle, is located at the far west of the village. It was built on the edge of the cliff, and there are many churches and houses with some remarkable architecture. The entire village of Mylopotamos has been acknowledged as a “traditional village”. This is why you will also note that all the houses were rebuilt in line with tradition. The village is growing more attractive all the time. On the road that takes you outside the village, towards the west, you will come to the spectacular cave of Agia Sofia, on the steep rockface of Kythera. The view is absolutely beautiful, somewhat akin to the caldera of Santorini. Continuing along the path will lead you to the picturesque beach of Limnionas, a small protected harbor with small crafts. This is a village of legends and traditions, where we invite you to spend the entire day tasting traditional dishes, drinking “tsipoura” (the local spirit) and visiting the monuments made by man and nature, ending the day with a unique sunset from the very edges of the Kato Chora Castle. And if this is not enough ask about the road to take in order to visit the small monastery of Panagia Orfani and the square church of Agios Petros in the village of Areoi.