Architecture

Kythnos lies between Kea and Serifos. It is a beautiful Cycladic island with a bare landscape, sparsely dotted by different kind of trees. Its infertile landscape and the size of the island haven't favoured the construction of modern motorways and that is why some roads are quite rural and steep.

Kythnos has some small villages with a few inhabitants that become even fewer when autumn comes and the tourist go back to their homes.

The architecture of the villages is characterized by houses with tiledroofs to let the wind slide off them. Not to mention, the wind blows a lot in the Greek islands, both in summer and winter. The capital of Kythnos island is Messaria or Chora. It has stunning, whitewashed houses, cobbled alleys, wonderful archways and windmills. Dryopida is another beautiful village of Kythnos. It is a typical Cycladic settlement with paved, narrow streets, white houses and lovely chapels.

Another known village of Kythnos is Loutra, named this way by the thermal spas that exist in the area since the ancient times and are said to have healing properties. The medieval castle of Orias or Katafalos lies in Loutra and gives a view of the architectural style of the Venetians, who actually built it when they had conquered the island.

Merichas is also a popular resort of the island, mostly prefered by the young people. This is where most of the island's clubs and cafes are situated, with loud music and open till morning. The rest of the island keeeps its ways more quiet and traditional.

Kythnos, as all the Cycladic islands, has many churches and small chapels scattered along the countryside and its coasts.

The most known churches are the churches of Panagia Nikous, Agios Savvas, Agios Ioannis Theologos, Panagia Kanala and the chapel of Profitis Ilias.

Most of the churches on Kythnos are small, white-washed and have blue domes, according the the Cycladic architectural style.