Overview of Kea
Kea is situated in the Cyclades about 60km (37miles) from Athens, 20km form Cape Sounio and about 1h by ferry from Lavrio. Kea is part of the Kea-Kythnos regional unit.
Its climate is arid and the terrain is hilly. Kea is 19km (12miles) long from North to South, and 9km (6miles) wide from East to West. The area of Kea is 128.9 square km and the highest point is 560m above sea level.
The capital of Kea is, Ioulis. It is situated inland and at a high altitude due to fear of pirates. Other major villages are port of Korissia and the fishing village of Voukari. The population in 2011 was 2455.
HistoryÂ
Kea was divided between four city-states during the Archaic period: Ioulis, Karthaia, Poieessa and Koressos. During the Classical period it was home to Simonides and his nephew Bacchylides (Greek lyric poets). During the 3rd century BC coins were retrieved featuring dogs or stars with emanating rays, which highlights the importance of Sirius.
The island is also known for an ancient stone-carved lion, Lion of Ioulis (or Liontas), which was carved before 600 BC. According to many the island was home to beautiful water nymphs, which made the gods jealous, and they send lions to wreck the island. Although, mainland Greece was full of lions during the classical period. When the nymphs left the island it became dry and less-fertile and got ruled by the star of Sirius. It was only when the highest point of the island was designated as a sanctuary to the rain-god Ikmaios Zeus when things got better.
During the Byzantine period, until 1204, many churches were built under the rule of Diocese of Athens, and the prosperity of the island rose. During the Byzantine-Venetian War in 1302, the Venetians won the war. They built the castle on the ancient acropolis of Ioulis. The port became a haven for pirates and by 1470 there were only around 200 people living on the island.
Kea was again taken by the Ottoman Turks in 1537 from the Venetians. Kea joined the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
On 21 November 1916 the HMHS Britannic sank off the island of Kea on the Kea Channel after hitting a mine. They lost thirty lives and she was the largest ship that sunk in World War 1.
Things improved after this as the island again developed culturally and agriculturally, exporting acorns, barley, wine, honey and dairy products and in 1927 Ioannis Gleoudis built the Enamel and Metalworks factory in Korissa, where its ruins can still be seen. Though immigration to America has hurt the island, it has also helped to support it. In the 1970’s the artist Fasianos ‘discovered’ the island and this led to other artists ‘discovering’ it as well. From there it was ‘discovered’ by Athenian yuppies who bought and restored old houses in Chora. The island is still in the process of being ‘discovered’.
Interesting Facts
Coordinates: 37°37′23″N 24°20′12″E
Amorgos Island Area: 148.9 sq. kms
Coast Length:
Population: 2455 (in 2011)
Telephone code: +22880
Postal Code: 84002
Time Zone: GMT +2:00, Summertime: GMT +3:00
Capital: Ioulis
Highest Mountain: Prophet Elias 561m
