KEA SIGHTSEEING

One of the biggest sights of the island is the prehistoric settlement of Ayia Irini with ruins found in the northern side of Kea. Sources report that it was destroyed by a powerful earthquake little afterwards the big acne during the 15th century B.C.

Ancient 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.

In the centre of Kea you can see the Tower of Ayia Marina, a tall building between the ancient cities Korissos and Poiessa which was founded at the Hellenistic period.

Other beautiful sights of the island are the monastery of Panagia Kastriani, perched on Kastri hill; the lion of Tzia, sculptured in a rock above Ioylida and the renovated stone mills in Koyndoyros.

The Town Hall at Ioulida, a neoclassical building erected in 1902 and decorated with ceramic sculptures of Apollo and Hermes and the neoclassic school of Ioylidas are designs of the Bavarian court architect Ernst Ziller.

In the central square of Ioylida you can find admirable drawing by the famous painter Alekos Fasianos.

The acropolis of ancient Ioulis with visible ruins of the temple of Apollo and medieval fortifications added in the 13th century.