Informations about Kea
Geographical & Historical Outline
Kea is also called Tzia, a name it was given during the Frankish period.
It is the westernmost of the Cyclades islands and the closest of Attica. Its harbour abstains only 16 miles from Lavrion.
It lies between the cape Kafireas in Evia and Kythnos with an area of 131 square kilometers.
The island is mountainous. Its highest peak is Profitis Elias (568m).
The island of Kea has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, and its earliest inhabitants thought to have been Pelasgians.
They were followed in turn by Karians, Leleges and Phoenicians.
The island was named after hero Keo, who came to the island in the beginnings of the 11th century BC.
In historical times, Kea was colonized by Ionians, and four independent cities were founded on the island: Ioulis, Carthaea, Piiessa, and Korissos.
It had great cultural tradition: amongst other things, it was the birth place of several personalities famous in their own day, such as Simonides and the sophist Prodikos.
In Byzantine times, Kea was included in the province of Greece and was under the sovereignty of the East Roman state.
During the period of Roman domination, the autonomous and socio-political operation of the four cities stops.
Ioulida becomes the only political center of island.
During the dynasty of Justinian and Venetians (1207- 1566), Kea was conquered successively from various dynasts. In this period the islands suffered lot of pirate raids.
The Venetian domination was succeeded by the Ottoman.
It met a lot of catastrophes especially during the period of the Russian-Turkish war.
Kea took part in the Greek Revolution of 1821 and was adjusted in Greece in 1830.
Informations about Kea
HOW TO GET THERE
There is a ferry service from Lavrio of Attica (1 hour).
You can reach Lavrion Port by bus from the Pedion Areos KTEL Intracity Bus Station or by car via the Attica Highway.
Kea is also connected with Kythnos and Syros.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
- Archaeological Museum of Kea
Tel: + 30 22880 22079
- Health Center
Tel: + 30 22880 22200
- Municipality of Kea
Tel: + 30 22883 60000
kea.gr
- Community Center
Tel: + 30 22880 21589
- Police Station
Tel: + 30 22880 21100
- Bus Intracity Station KTEL Attica
Tel: + 30 210 8808080
ktelattikis.gr
- Port Authority of Lavrio
Tel: + 30 22920 20400
- Port Authority of Korisia Kea
Tel: + 30 22880 21344
- Tourist Info
Tel: + 30 22880 21500
