History
Kythnos or Thermia is situated between the islands of Gia & Serifos, 52 nautical miles from Piraeus port, a distance which conventional boats cover in 3 hours, whereas from Lavrio’s port the distance is approximately 2 hours. Its extent of ground is 99klm2 with 1.500 permanent residents.
Most probably the island was named after its founder Kythno, even though his existence is very ambivalent. The word (driopic or Phoenician in origin) it’s possible that may be based on the root “kyth” which comes from the verb “keyftho” which means hide (the participle =dark, deep place where someone can disappear). This interpretation of the name arraigns to some physical attribute of the island during the premature ancientry (shadowy forests, deep valleys or caves or mines).
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This gravure is one of the first maps of Kythnos. |
According to archaeological & anthropological findings, the island was inhabited since the 8th millennium B.C. Recent palaiontological findings in Maroulas place, near to today’s Loutra, found traces of 4 tombs of the middle Stone Period, a fact that proves that maybe here there was the most ancient installation of people in the Cyclades islands.
The existence of 20 circular constructions out of cleft stones was also registered in the area of Skouries, which surrounded extractive ovens as well as a mine of copper extraction located in cape Jouli, which belongs to the first Cycladic period.
The first residents were most probably Greek-Pelasgians, while in the Median (ΜΗΔΙΑΚΑ) years were Driopes. Of competent importance also, are the Cyclopean Walls as well as the temples that they left behind. After Driopes the island was inhabited by Ionians. Later on, Aristotle refers to the Kythnian City and considers it as ideal.
Part of the outdoor collection of Katholiko, Chora. In full view, part of a Hellenistic period sarcophagus.
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During the Roman Times the island was part of Achaias County & later on Byzantines included it in “Aegean Theme”. In 1207 A.C. the French Empire also imposed herself to the island by the Venetian Marcus Sanoudus. In 1292 A.C, Thermia (this is how the island was named during the Medieval Times, due to the founts that spurt warm waters) were conquered by the admiral of Aragonia, while in 1537 were conquered by the Russians. However, in 1827 the island gained back its ancient name-Kythnos- & participated to the liberal battle against the Turks.
In 1862, rebels who came from the island of Syros with the boat “Karteria” battled with the army forces who remained loyal to Othon & had arrived with the boat “Amalia”.
During the battles, those who were in favor of the royalties dominated over their opponents, and as result rebels Leotsakos, Moraitinis & Skarvlelis were executed.
These facts gained their own place in the contemporary history and named “Kythniaka”. Nowadays in the cove of Aghia Eirini, next to Loutra there is a marble plaque with all these names to the memory of these first rebels who fought for our country’s democracy.
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