The architectural heritage of Greece's Kea island: Vibrant colours, stone houses and watermills
Kea has around 2,500 permanent residents, and despite the growth of tourism, the island has managed to retain its traditional character.
Every summer, Greece's Cyclades islands draw numerous tourists seeking more than just sun and sea. Kea, known as Tzia, is an island in the western Cyclades celebrated for its history and natural beauty. Often referred to as the "gateway to the Cyclades," Kea is just 16 nautical miles from the port of Lavrio. Ioulida, the island's capital and one of its four historic towns, is uniquely situated inland as the former commercial center of Kea.
Ioulida's architecture differs from typical Cycladic styles, incorporating urban and neoclassical elements. The island is renowned for its vibrant colors, plasterwork, and traditional stone buildings.
Kea's permanent population of around 2,500 residents has managed to retain its traditional character despite tourism growth. Ioulida, built in an amphitheater-like layout on two hills, has been granted protected status due to its distinctive architectural identity. A unique stone called miltos, found in the Otzia area, was quarried here and exported to Athens. This greyish-red stone contributes to the island's distinctive aesthetic.
The farmstead, home to the island's farmers and livestock breeders, is a vital part of Kea's cultural heritage. Traditionally, farmers had homes in Ioulida and countryside farmhouses, often received as dowries. Stonemason Dinos Vrettos, who spent 25 years as a stonemason and five years excavating the ancient theatre of Karthia, explained the construction of traditional houses using stones from ancient structures. These houses, usually bought by foreigners, retain their original features despite often being sold.
In Mylopotamos, near the Flea spring, there were once 11 watermills, now one of which serves as a residence and another operates for tourists. These watermills, likely from Ottoman rule, were in operation until the 1980s before being abandoned. Retired aviation worker Savvas Michael emphasized the importance of preserving Kea's history, even if its traditional elements like watermills are no longer functional.
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