Castle of Kythira: A Historic Fortress on the Greek Island of Kythira
Visitor Information
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Official Website: destinationkythira.gr
Country: Greece
Civilization: Venetian
Site type: Military
Remains: Castle
History
The Castle of Kythira is located in the town of Chora on the island of Kythira, within the municipality of Kythira in modern Greece. It stands on a site long valued for defense and control of sea routes, with origins possibly tracing back to the Byzantine period, during which an earlier fortress is believed to have occupied the location.
The current castle’s significant development began in 1503 when the Venetian Republic undertook its reconstruction and expansion. The Venetians maintained control of the fortress until 1797, transforming it into a major stronghold overseeing vital maritime passages between the Ionian, Aegean, and Cretan seas. This strategic importance earned it the nickname “Cretan Eye” or “Eye of the Greek Seas.” The Venetian noble family Venier played a key role in building or extensively enhancing the castle during this period.
After nearly two centuries under Venetian rule, the castle changed hands multiple times. The Ottoman Empire briefly held it from 1715 until 1718. The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw a complex sequence of occupations; French forces governed the site in 1797–1798 and again from 1808 to 1809. Between these intervals, a combined Russian-Turkish military occupation took place from 1798 to 1800, followed by control by the Republic of the Seven Islands from 1800 to 1808. Subsequently, British administration lasted from 1809 until 1864.
During the French occupation, the symbolic Lion of Saint Mark, emblematic of Venetian authority, was removed from the castle. By the middle of the 19th century, the fortress was home to around 200 residents and continued as a civilian settlement until the outbreak of World War II. In that global conflict, the castle was appropriated by German and Italian forces for military purposes, marking the last recorded period of its martial use.
Within the castle walls lies the Venetian governor’s palace, which transitioned into the residence of the British High Commissioner during their rule. Today, it functions as the Historical Archive of Kythira, preserving documents that chronicle the island’s history going back to the mid-16th century.
Remains
The Castle of Kythira extends approximately 200 meters in length and 80 meters in width. It features robust defensive walls about one meter thick, constructed to withstand sieges and project strength. The main entrance is positioned on the western side, providing access to the interior of the fortress.
Within the castle premises, several cannons of varying origin remain in place, reflecting the fortress’s layered military past. These artillery pieces date from Venetian, Russo-Turkish, and British periods, underscoring the continuous defensive role the site held under diverse rulers.
On the eastern edge of the castle stands the former Venetian governor’s palace, a prominent structure now serving as the Historical Archive of Kythira. Nearby, the castle retains parts of a prison and a gunpowder magazine, both indicative of its military functions. The eastern sector also contains tightly grouped two-story residential buildings, which housed the castle’s inhabitants during its period as a civilian community.
A vaulted cistern is preserved within the castle grounds, built to store water and ensure supply during times of siege or isolation. This feature demonstrates the fortress’s preparedness for extended periods without external resources.
Among the religious structures inside the fortress, the Orthodox Church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, dated to 1580, holds special significance. Originally constructed as a Catholic church, it was converted to Orthodox use in 1806 and serves as the island’s patron church. Its walls are adorned with frescoes from the 16th and 18th centuries, preserving artistic expressions from different eras within the same sacred space.
Perched on a high elevation more than 200 meters above sea level, the castle offers commanding views to the south. This vantage point enabled control over surrounding waters and crucial maritime routes between islands. The fortress remains well preserved, presenting a comprehensive picture of its historical and architectural development through centuries of occupation.