23.10.16 Temple of Pythion Apollo - Ancient Karthea (Kea)

By Scott Shephard

We spent the night moored at Karissa on the island of Kea largely because our mission was to visit the remote and very ancient city of Karthea. This city flourished in the 5th century BCE, or about 2800 years ago. Like so many other temples, there isn’t much left of this temple dedicated to Apollo. Earthquakes aren’t unusual in Greece and what the Gods didn’t do, humans, looking for material for new buildings or roads or whatever did the rest.

But it is a spectacular place, largely because of the setting at the base of a rocky and quickly rising slope but also because we had this archaeological site all to ourselves. Easiest access is by boat, though we had to get in the water to make it to shore due to rocks near the beach. You can hike in from above but I’ve read that the path is steep and rocky. If you are part goat, it would be easy.

This is not a typical cruiser’s place. Perfect!

DJI Minie 3 Pro 5 frame HDR

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