Kythera. A place… like a dream. The corner of the Ionian Islands that typically belongs to Attica. A place ideal for escapes and relaxation. You’ll charge your battaries on the crystal clear and exotic beaches. Your eyes will rest on the green landscapes. You will gain new gastronomic experiences from the local flavors of the island. You will feel greek hospitality at its best. Kythera has these and many other reasons to choose them. And Chytra of Greece is one of them. A famous creation of nature that will surprise you.
The famous Chytra of Greece, the cave and the sempreviva
As you come to Kythera it is worth visiting Chytra. It is the rock that stands up in the middle of the sea off Kapsali. A work of art of nature that is one of the most famous sights of the island that has a special name.
Chytra is an impressive creation of nature that may not be ideal for cooking, but is famous for its flowers. From Diakofti we headed to the former first port of the island. The route was so graphical and we were gazing nature, we didn’t even understand that we had driven 34 km and we arrived in Kapsali We went down to the port where Captain Spyros Kassimatis was waiting for us with his boat to guide us through the secrets of the bottom of Kythera.
The Chytra, What’s the secret of a lonely, dry rock in the middle of the sea? Yes!! The Chytra is a wonderful mountain field. The inhabitants of Kythera will gladly tell you the stories about the double name of the rock. The rock apart from Chytra is also called Egg, while in the southern part there is a cave.
Captain Spyros showed us the cave and told us about the sempreviva while we were making the tour of the island. The rock is unique in the world because it is only there that Semperviva (sembreva a perennial plant keeps its leaves in winter and is very resistant to difficult conditions of growth), the plant that lives eternally, as its name says. Why do they call it Chytra? Captain Spiros had the answer. He explained to us that when the weather changes and turns into a pinnacle, the clouds along with the rock create a form that looks like it is boiling in the middle of the sea.
The exotic beach of Kyriakoulo
After this nice tour, we lifted anchor and pulled for Kapsali. But before we go back, Spiros changes rota and takes us to a small fjord, a small little seaside, Kyriakoulou. The waters and the landscape are idyllic and we could not resist a dive and to the power of the goddess Aphrodite. With the salt on our skin, we are going back to Kapsali. It is one of the most beautiful and deserted beaches in Kythera. You can read more about it. HERE.
Chytra and Kyriakoulou are only two of the wonders of Kythera. If you’re there on vacation, you’ll find out a lot more. A trip you’ll never forget…
Photo Source: abramis.gr
Read also:
Calm beaches of Attica that are not caught by the wind
The beaches of Attica that offer you a natural shade
Mikro Pilion: The hidden blue beach of Attica
Frequently Asked Questions
Chytra is an impressive natural rock formation located in the middle of the sea off Kapsali in Kythera, one of the Ionian Islands. It is one of the most famous sights of the island and is known for its unique geological features and rare plant life. The rock has a distinctive shape that resembles a cooking pot when clouds surround it during stormy weather, which is how it got its name.
Chytra is called the 'Cooking Pot' because of its distinctive appearance during changing weather conditions. When storms approach and clouds gather around the rock, the combination of the rock's shape and the clouds creates a visual effect that looks like a pot boiling in the middle of the sea. The name 'Chytra' literally refers to this cooking pot-like appearance.
The Sempreviva (or sembreva) is a unique perennial plant that is found only on the Chytra rock in the world. This remarkable plant keeps its leaves throughout winter and is extremely resistant to difficult growing conditions. Its name means 'the plant that lives eternally,' reflecting its exceptional durability and ability to survive in the harsh environment of the isolated rock formation.
Visitors can take a boat tour from Kapsali with local guides like Captain Spyros Kassimatis to explore Chytra and its surroundings. During the tour, you can see the impressive rock formation, visit the cave located in its southern part, learn about the rare Sempreviva plant, and visit nearby exotic beaches like Kyriakoulo. The boat journey itself offers scenic views of Kythera's natural landscape and coastline.
Yes, there is a cave located in the southern part of Chytra rock. The cave is one of the notable features of this natural monument. The rock is also known by another name - 'Egg' - due to its oval shape. The area is famous not only for the cave but also for being the exclusive habitat of the Sempreviva plant, making it a unique geological and botanical destination in Greece.
