Kythnos Archaeological Site of Vryokastro

Location: Apokrousi

Vryokastro is surmised to be the island’s ancient capital. Located between Apokrousi Beach and Episkopi Beach, the ancient city was called “Kythnos”, justifying the origin of the island’s current name. Findings show that Vryokastro was probably inhabited from the 12th century BC to the 6th or 7th century AD, when residents decided to move to the Castle of Oria, more than 10 km away.

According to archaeological evidence, ancient Vryokastro was a walled city extending over approximately 300 acres (1.2 square kilometers). The small islet of Vryokastraki used to be part of the city, as it seems to be connected to the land in ancient years, yet was gradually cut off. The city featured an acropolis, a harbor, two necropolises, a sanctuary, public buildings and underwater reservoirs. Underwater research has also discovered buildings on the seabed, while marble sculptures dating to the Roman era were found in an underwater wall.

The temple dates to the Archaic period and was discovered between 2002 and 2006. According to its architecture and the type of findings, researchers assume that two deities were worshipped there. The temple was located on a plateau encircled by a retaining wall. Below it, a building dating to the Late Classical and Hellenistic Period was found, which presumably functioned as a prytaneion. The Agora was probably situated on the plateau.
The number of findings exceeds 1,500. The main items unearthed included jewelry made of various materials (such as gold, silver, and amber), clay figurines, and vessels.