Kea-Tzia Karthaia

It is the most important archaeological site of the island. According to the findings, it must have been the most important of Kea’s Tetrapolis (league of the four cities). It started being inhabited during the Late Bronze period, but it flourished in the Classical period. The first excavations in the area took place in the early 19th century by a Danish expedition, which embezzled many findings and distributed them to museums and collections throughout Europe. The exhibition of the excavation became the cause for even more thefts and it is certain that really important objects have been lost or destroyed. In the early 20th century, a French expedition discovered the temple of Athena and in the ‘60s the ancient theatre was brought to light. Since then many excavations have been conducted with conservation and restoration projects. Important findings are now exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Ioulis. The bay of Karthaia and the neighboring Poles were the natural ports which served the needs of the residents. For its protection there was a wall with bastions and towers, part of which is preserved today. The two Doric temples of the archaeological site are located in the southern section of the acropolis. The temple of Athena was built circa 500 BC. At the same time the temple of Apollo was built above the sea level, and according to archaeologists, it had sculptures with subjects from the Trojan war. Info You will find detailed information about Karthaia at the site of the Foundation of Hellenic World www2.egeonet.gr

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