{"id":39713,"date":"2021-07-07T12:12:46","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T09:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/kea\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:28:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:28:43","slug":"kea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/kea\/","title":{"rendered":"K\u00e9a"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Otzi\u00e1 bay, K\u00e9a, from E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n

The island took its name by the hero K\u00e9o<\/strong>, son of god Apollo and the nymph Rodo\u00e9ssi. His presence on the island is estimated around the 11th century BC. Earlier to that, the island was named Ydro\u00fasa<\/strong> (=watery), due to its many wells, rivers and dense vegetation. <\/p>\n\n

According to mythology<\/strong>, when its name was still Ydro\u00fasa, the island was inhabited by nymphs and when they left (chased by a mythical lion), Sirius, the brightest star on the sky, burned all of the Cyclades and K\u00e9a transformed to a waterless, dry land. The inhabitants prayed to god Apollo to help them and he sent his son Arista\u00edo, who organized the island, taught the villagers the art of agriculture and livestock and brought the meltemi wind, so that the islanders would cool off in the heat of the summer.<\/p>\n\n

Archaeological findings revealed signs of settlements in the peninsula of Ag\u00eda Eir\u00edni and Vourk\u00e1ri village, dating from the Neolithic Era<\/strong>. In the following centuries, the island was inhabited by K\u00e1res, Minoans from Crete and then Iones in the 11th century BC. The latter, founded the cities of Ioul\u00eds, Karth\u00eda, Koriss\u00f3s and Poii\u00e9ssa, brought the economic growth and made the island known to the rest of the Hellenic world, due to the excellent political system of its society, for which later the great philosopher Aristotle wrote of.<\/p>\n\n

The legislator Ariste\u00eddis<\/strong>, known as the \u201crighteous Aristeidis\u201d, originated from K\u00e9a and was renowned to all of Hellas for the strict but practical laws he wrote.<\/p>\n\n

After the Classical Years<\/strong>, K\u00e9a enters the Athenian Alliance and up until the end of the Roman Empire (3rd century AD), follows the general course of history of Athens.<\/p>\n\n

During the Byzantine years<\/strong>, the island suffers from continuous piratical raids and its inhabitants gradually become sparse. In the 13th century AD, the Byzantine historian Nik\u00edtas Akomin\u00e1tos visited the island and writes that life is scarce, only few agricultural settlements and that there are still bears and wild boars on the island.<\/p>\n\n

In 1789, L\u00e1bros Kats\u00f3nis<\/strong> brings the Hellenic fleet inside the natural harbour of \u00c1gios Nik\u00f3laos and fortifies the bay. After the sea battle of \u00c1ndros with the Turks, the latter blockade L\u00e1bros Kats\u00f3nis inside the bay, however, together with his wife from K\u00e9a, he escapes with a boat, crossing the narrower point of the northern peninsula by land. That narrow point is even today called \u201cL\u00e1bros strait\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

Thirty years later, in the Hellenic Wars of Independence<\/strong>, K\u00e9a took an active part and in 1830 was freed.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Sights<\/h3>\n\n

Ioulis (Chora)<\/strong>The capital of Kea is built amphitheatrically on a hillside and continues the legacy of ancient Ioulis. Its narrow alleys, stone houses and remains of the medieval castle create an atmosphere of authentic Cycladic life, while the Archaeological Museum presents finds from prehistoric to historic times.<\/p>\n\n

The Lion of Kea<\/strong>A short walk from Ioulis leads to the impressive ancient stone lion carved into the rock. This unique monument is linked with local mythology and stands as one of the island\u2019s most distinctive landmarks.<\/p>\n\n

Ancient Karthea<\/strong>One of the most important archaeological sites on the island, set in a stunning coastal location. The ruins of temples and public buildings reveal the prosperity of the ancient city and combine history with natural beauty.<\/p>\n\n

Ancient temples (Apollo, Athena, etc.)<\/strong>Kea was home to important sanctuaries in antiquity, reflecting its cultural and religious importance. The remains of these temples offer valuable insight into the ancient Greek world.<\/p>\n\n

Castle of Agia Marina<\/strong>A Hellenistic defensive tower (3rd\u20131st century BC) that connects the island\u2019s ancient and later history. Its position offers beautiful views and a strong sense of continuity.<\/p>\n\n

Monastery of Panagia Kastriani<\/strong>One of the most important religious sites on Kea, dramatically located above the sea. The setting, views and atmosphere make it a memorable and meaningful visit.<\/p>\n\n

Kefala (Neolithic settlement)<\/strong>Excavations in this area have revealed some of the earliest settlements in the Cyclades. The findings shed light on prehistoric life in the Aegean.<\/p>\n\n

Beaches (Otzi\u00e1s, Spath\u00ed, Ork\u00f3s, etc.)<\/strong>Kea offers a wide range of sandy beaches with clear waters and easy access. From calm bays to more open shores, there is something for every visitor.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

Flavours<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Mostra<\/strong>A classic local dish made with barley rusks, tomato and soft cheese. Simple yet full of flavour, it represents the essence of Cycladic cuisine.<\/p>\n\n

Strapatsada<\/strong>A traditional dish of eggs with tomatoes, often enriched with local ingredients. Ideal for a quick and satisfying meal.<\/p>\n\n

Kakavia<\/strong>A traditional fish soup made with fresh catch and simple ingredients, reflecting the island\u2019s close relationship with the sea.<\/p>\n\n

Paspalas<\/strong>A hearty inland speciality made with small pieces of pork cooked with eggs and tomatoes. A rich and satisfying dish rooted in rural tradition.<\/p>\n\n

Louza of Kea<\/strong>A cured pork delicacy with a strong, aromatic flavour, perfect as a meze.<\/p>\n\n

Local meats and barley bread<\/strong>Kea is known for the quality of its meats and traditional breads, which form the backbone of its cuisine.<\/p>\n\n

Pasteli of Kea<\/strong>The island\u2019s signature sweet, made with sesame and honey. A timeless delicacy with deep roots in Greek tradition.<\/p>\n\n

<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The island took its name by the hero K\u00e9o, son of god Apollo and the nymph Rodo\u00e9ssi. His presence on the island is estimated around the 11th century BC. Earlier to that, the island was named Ydro\u00fasa (=watery), due to its many wells, rivers and dense vegetation. According to mythology, when its name was still…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39711,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[594],"tags":[452,628,629],"class_list":["post-39713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-islands-of-kea-and-kythnos","tag-history","tag-kea","tag-otzia","category-594","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39713"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42607,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39713\/revisions\/42607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eagleray.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}