Watermills are one of the earliest machines ever built, dating back thousands of years. It was a major advance over grinding grain by hand or by animals. Watermills direct a quantity of water to turn a large wheel. This wheel transfers motion to a grinding mechanism that crushes the grains into flour.
In Kythira the wheel is moved by water falling from above into a large hatch with force, which in turn moves the wheel, and then the millstones of the Mill.
Mylopotamos in Kythira is known for its water mills, which date back to the 13th century. In the past, there were up to 22 watermills in the area, which used the hydropower of the then abundant water of the Mylopotamos river to grind grain.
Today, only 8 of these watermills survive their ruins, and only one, the mill of Philippi it is completely rebuilt and remains functional.
Mills were built of stone and wood, and were usually single-story buildings. The management of water to avoid collisions was done with a water distribution system since the Venetian era. Water was channeled through channels into a tank, which turned a wheel. The wheel in turn moved the millstones, which ground the wheat. They usually produced flour from wheat and barley, which was used to make bread, pasta and other foods.
These water mills in the area Mills are an important part of the history and culture of Kythera and attract many visitors every year.
1. Vasilou Pashto or Gazou
2. Englezianikos
3. Dimitrakopoulou or Pastrikou
4. Keranis Megalokonomos or Famosaina
5. Kalomiras Vlahogeni or Nikula
6. Philippa
7. Andreas Kominou
8. Evgenikos or Neusiakianikos
9. Daskalou or Stratigianikos
10. Giannou Zervou
11. Alexandi
12. Zervomylos
13. Barba Petrou
14. Kalochereti or Rere
15. Kalochereti or Rere
16. Spiladi
17. Fiflonianikos – Malanou
18. Giorgitsas
19. Giannous
20. Elenis Kalohairetopoulas
21. Mastronikolou
22. Hoochli
The Mills area is accessible by a route through a natural path which does not constitute specialized hiking knowledge. Just make sure you wear appropriate shoes, i.e. no flip flops and open sandals.
Please note that these natural environments require special care and respect from the visitors themselves first and foremost, therefore littering, camping, and lighting fires for any reason are strictly prohibited.
