To the visitors of the blog,
I started urban travel tales in May 2012. I was inspired by the combination of travelling while tales and images unfold, with the wealth of Cultural Heritage and the Protection of the Environment.
The blog has been awarded 3 times – see blog pages, ‘Awards’.
The texts – result of thorough research and personal experience – appear here for the first time, are first published here, with my editing in both languages En/Gr. My photos from camera or mobile.
My approach is that of a traveller’s wandering – to explore, acquaintance with the place, in juxtaposition to the touristic, thoughtless consumerism.
I always refer to the source in case of a borrowed extract or photograph.
All republishing or reproduction of the content of the blog urban travel tales is covered by copyright.
Happy browsing!
Lisa Samloglou
2013 © Copyright. All rights reserved
initial post 20 October 2013, revised August 2024
The neoclassical building of the Town Hall dominates in the square. It was built in 1902 at the time of Gregory Ieromnimon. The administrative services have long been relocated to make space for the School of Music. A number of statues decorate the roof of the neoclassical mansion, ex-Town Hall and flowers the surrounding space.
Every Orthodox Easter, the night of the Good Friday, here at the square meet the four flowered ‘epitaphs’ from the four churches of Ioulida. They are carried on the shoulders of men dressed in the church clothing, like the priests.
Long processions of people holding lit candles and lanterns write illuminated shapes along the narrow paths of Chora.
Rituals and faith have survived through centuries marking a moment of spiritual uplifting and collective memory for the community of the islanders and the visitors.
“The square is considered to be the south end of the historical centre because from there stand the more recent parts of the settlement. Up to this point, we meet a few middle class houses sparsely interspersed between the popular Cycladic houses, above and below the central road ( house of I. Gleoudis, the group of houses of the Ieromnimon family, Rediadion…). This therefore confirms the idea that Katochori was inhabited by the upper and middle class trade and craftsmen. The Cathedral of Ioulis, Dimotikia (annunciation of Virgin Mary) dominates Katochori.”
Source: Tassos Anastassiou, Kea, History Sightseeing, guide book, Hermoupolis 2007, p. 79
The square keeps buzzing by the children, the constant passage and those who sit enjoying the food, the drinks, their coffee and sweets in the tavernas, the coffee-shops, the patisseries and bakeries, and the bars around the square, and along the streets and the steps that cross all the neighbourhoods of Chora.
A path leads you to the outskirts towards what used to be a public laundry, the cemetery and the famous statue of the Lion/ Leon.
Tzia/Kea offers the wild beauty of a natural arid and rocky landscape of coasts whipped by the winds. It is also endorsed with well-protected natural ports and bays; you will always find calm corners and beaches safe for every weather condition.
As you drive across the length and width of the island, you will come across green meadows in the spring, century-old oak forests, fields with figs of indie, mediterranean gardens with vegetables, and a great diversity of flowers and endemic plants.
The island is a land rich in archaeology and history, music, customs and traditions. All that exists and takes place in the space and time of a particular location, as you know, is part of Cultural Heritage. The myths, the jokes, the oral history, the photo archives, the books and documents, not to forget Environment, the flora and fauna: the famous cows of Tzia, the bee hives, the birds, the cicadas, and the fish.
The Archaeological Museum of Kea, Ministry of Culture and Sports, houses the Kores of Kea, findings from the archaeological site of Agia Irini.
Check the opening hours!
If you do not make it to the Museum you may get an impression from my corresponding blog post. ⬇
I have left the car at the parking lot, 15 minutes uphill walk to the entering square where cars may stop just to let passengers out or in.
In the autumn and in winter, when the beaches are not as appealing, and the weather is cooler, explore walks for photography, wander the narrow streets of Chora, follow the trail leading to Leon, discover the inland.
And if all of these is not enough to seduce you, there is always the sunset.
Closing with a friendly reminder:
Regardless of your opinion about the blog and the post, you probably agree that respect for the work, the time, the energy and MERAKI (no English equivalent, renders the feeling of tender to passionate engagement) that each blogger invests, without financial or other returns, is a matter of honesty.
The content of the blog is product of intellectual property covered by copyright.
Please refer to the source, that is my blog, when you share or repost is whenever you repost texts, photos, material or the post itself.
Thank you, wishing you happy travelling!
2013 ©Copyright. All rights reserved
Explore Kea or Tzia through my blog posts:
Daughters of Kea and Agia Irini
To the Lighthouse of Saint Nicolas/ Προς το Φάρο του Άη Νικόλα
Walking the trail to the ancient Karthea, at the Greek island of Kea
Take a walk in the unseen side of the Greek island of Kea, from the Byzantine times
Urban travel tales 
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