The "Eye of Crete"

The Kastro in Hora is one of the most striking reminders of the Venetian occupation of the island. Although the plaque on the wall as you walk up the rampart reads "1503" construction actually commenced in 1306 in place of a smaller Byzantium fort. In the 16th century the walls and fortifications were extended. According to the noted historian, Chryssa Maltezou, the authorities on Kythera were able to communicate with the Venetian regiments in Crete by means of signal fies on the castle to warn of possible incursions by pirates. In this way Kythera became the "Eye of Crete". The settlement pattern around the Kastro fits into the traditional kastro-chora, fortezza-borgo pattern so that locals could take refuge in the castle when the island came under attack. At it highest point the Kastro is built to an altitude of 250 metres.