Mylopotamos Castle, Castle in Kato Chora, Greece
Mylopotamos Castle is a Venetian fortress on a steep rock above the village of Kato Chora on the island of Kythira. It overlooks the Ionian Sea, and inside its walls are narrow lanes, old stone houses with flat roofs, and the remains of nine small churches from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The fortress existed by the 14th century, but its main construction work took place around 1566 under Venetian rule. It was strengthened to protect the island's western coast from pirate attacks, though its eastern side remained easier to approach.
The name Mylopotamos means "mill of the river," a reminder of the watermills that once worked along a nearby stream. Today, walkers can still follow the stone paths between the ruined houses and small churches, where faded wall paintings hint at the daily life of the old community.
The site sits high above the coast, so wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven stone paths. The road up is paved, but parts of the castle grounds have loose rocks and steps that require care.
Above the entrance gate, a carved Venetian lion holds a book with the Latin inscription "Peace to you, Saint Mark." The gate's date of 1566 may mark a repair rather than the original building, so the stone itself raises questions about the fortress's early years.
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