Antikythera
Population: 24 (2019)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Antikythera is a Greek island lying on the edge of the Aegean Sea, between Crete and the Peloponnese. Its land area is 20.43 square kms, and it lies 38 kms (24 miles) south-east of Kythira.
Antikythera is one of the tiniest, non-modernised inhabited Greek islands. Its main settlement and port is Potamós, the only other settlements are Galanianá, and Charchalianá. There are only a small number of rooms for rent, all in the village of Potamos. These are best arranged by going to the island’s (unmarked) shop/post office. By shouting the message, the shop-keeper, will raise the mayor, who—in time—provides a simple room for lodging. Antikythera has no taverna as yet; but Mr Patakakis, on request, will provide food on a table in front of his shop!
It is notable for being the location of the discovery of the Antikythera mechanism and for the Antikythera shipwreck.
Antikythera is periodically visited by the Ablemon Nautical Company ferry on its route between Piraeus (Athens) and Kissamos-Kastelli on Crete.
The Island & Its History
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The earliest known inhabitants (4th or 5th millennium BC) were likely seasonal hunters who traveled there to exploit the presence of migratory birds. The population of the island has frequently changed as it was settled and abandoned several times, including a period of significant influence by the culture of Crete, during the Bronze Age.
Between the 4th and 1st centuries BC, it was used as a base by a group of Cilician pirates until their destruction by Pompey the Great. Their fort can still be seen on a cliff to the northeast of the island.
It is one of the few islands in the Aegean which was never ruled by the Ottoman Empire, as the Turks did not consider the small island a worthwhile conquest.
Antikythera was administered by the Venetians as part of the Ionian Islands, despite being several hundred kilometres away from the central Ionian archipelago. The Venetians held out in Antikythera until 1800 while the rest of the Ionian Islands had fallen to Napoleonic France in 1797. It became a British protectorate in 1815 as part of the United States of the Ionian Islands. The island was then ceded to Greece in 1864
From 1864 to 1912, Antikythera was the southernmost point of Greece, as Crete was then part of Turkey.
Antikythera is most famous for being the location of the 1900 discovery of the Antikythera wreck, from which the Antikythera Ephebe and Antikythera Mechanism were recovered.
Prayer Points
- The people on the island will realize their need for God and their eyes will be opened to the truth and love of God through reading the Bible for themselves.
- The Lord will work in the lives of all the God-fearing religious people already living on this island, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
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