Enduring Pilgrimage

Times change, the languages of different peoples change, nonetheless their habits, and especially their faith, does not recede but persists and transforms. Such a transformation is revealed along the epic trail M38, the longest in the network. This trail leads to three important monuments of religious interest that recount the evolution of faith on Kythera from the Minoan times to this day. A few years ago, at the site of Agios Georgios at Vouno, the archaeological excavation revealed the most important Minoan Peak Sanctuary ever found outside Crete. In this sanctuary, the Minoans worshiped the Mother Goddess of fertility and euphoria. At the same location, two churches now stand: on the east side, the church of Kytherian style dedicated to Panagia Myrtidiotissa and Agios Nikolaos, and on the west side the church of Agios Georgios with the mosaic floor of the 7th century. In Chousti cave, at Diakofti, archaeologists discovered a sanctuary of the Phoenician goddess Astarte, later worshipped as Aphrodite, goddess of love and fertility. Finally, at the contemporary pilgrimage of Agia Moni people worship Panagia (Mary) as “Moni ton Panton Elpis” (the only hope of all). Apart from the places described above, which take us on a journey through the timeless worship of the female deity on Kythera, the trail traverses the coastal settlements of Diakofti and Avlemonas, which are ideal for a cool break in the clear turquoise water. There are manifold magical viewpoints to the Myrtoan Sea, Cape Maleas and the eastern coastline of Kythera.