This is a 20th century reservoir built using local government funds, in an era when there was no water supply network on the island. The women filled up water jugs there until the 1960s. In the Spilia neighbourhood, in the picturesque village of Dryopida, there is drinking water supply. Before 1940, Dryopida locals would have […]
Reservoir/ Spring (Theatraki) Read More »
At the entrance of Dryopida hamlet there is a complex of fountains that once served as the central water supply point. At the western entrance to Dryopida, if you head down the hill to the left, you will come across a stream, which used to be called ‘nerofama’ (water eroded soil), and a rainwater collection
Katovrisi, Testimony: Yiannis Filippeos (Apithanos) Read More »
This small vegetable garden belongs to Giannis Philippaios, also known in the village as Apithanos (the Uncanny). Giannis’ father bought if from his brother and worked it as a vineyard for a few years. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by animals that managed to get in. When Giannis inherited it in the ‘90s, the small garden
Small vegetable garden (Perivolaki) in a stream bed Read More »
In the Chora of Kythnos, there is a wide range of chimney stacks. This results from the personality of the various masons who built them, each one in their own personal style. The craft was handed down from one generation to the next and produces works of art. The top of the stack is called
Kapasoi from Thermia, Kythnos Read More »
Kataste(g)i is the covered passage for pedestrians and animals within hamlets. In Greece, these special passages are also known as diavatika or skepasta. These are constructions (balconies or rooms) above the lanes meandering the hamlet. They were constructed either to span the passage using wooden beams as a bridge or to support a bridge with
Kataste(g)i in Chora Read More »
There are 6 peristeriones (dove houses) in Chora. The biggest, which gave its name to the district, is in the heart of Chora, on the douseme (paved surface) lane leading to Tsigoures district. This peristeriona must be at least 100 years old – we do not know the exact year of its construction. Next to
Peristeriona in Chora, Kythnos Read More »
Kataste(g)i is the covered passage for pedestrians and animals within hamlets. In Greece, these special passages are also known as diavatika or skepasta. These are constructions (balconies or rooms) above the lanes meandering the hamlet. They were constructed either to span the passage using wooden beams as a bridge or to support a bridge with
Kataste(g)i in Dryopis (narrow passage) Read More »
The impressive terracing is one of the most outstanding features of the rural landscape of Kythnos. They are called skales (steps), anavathmides (grading) or pezoules (ledges). People have been terracing for years to secure land for their crops and, consequently, their food. Terracing holds rainwater which infiltrates the soil deeply and replenishes the aquifer, instead
Terracing at Agios Tryphon Read More »
The rural landscape is of particular cultural interest because it reveals people’s capacity to manage the natural environment in a sustainable and respectful manner, ensuring quality despite the limited natural resources at their disposal. Kythnos’ rural landscape is characterised by terracing or skales (steps) as well as dry stone constructions known as kelia (cells)
Rural landscape with a farmhouse, terracing and dry stone Read More »
These small stone-built constructions are encountered in the countryside of the Cyclades; they are called kelia (cells). The are dry stone buildings and blend harmoniously with their natural surroundings; they are small miracles of Cycladic architecture and remnants echoing rural life of yesteryears. These constructs were built by farmers with the stones they picked
Two-cell rural residence on a hill above Schoinari Read More »
