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Well, to be really honest, I don't know and never heard a legend about Aprhodite ("Venus" in the latin-Roman world) taking her bath in this particular waterfall. What's sure, according to Greek Mythology, Kythira (or Cythera) island is her birthplace, she "rose from the foam of the sea waves" (that's what her name in greek means) on a beach of this island, and not in Cyprus as many may believe. That's why Kythira, the birthplace of the Goddess of Love, had always a great symbolic significance for the romantics.

Another great love story increased this symbolism. It is said, that Paris and Helen, found their love shelter here before leaving for Troy, in a cave, about 4-5 km to the west of this waterfall, which today is open to the public and you can see (inside the cave!) an Orthodox church of the 13th century at the spot where the two lovers got "married" (you 'll see a photo from there in the near future.

During the 18th century many theatrical plays and songs of that era, had as a theme, the "Voyage to Cythera". The dream for Kythira reached its peak with two paintings by Antoine Watteau, the ***Pèlerinage à l'île de Cythère*** and the ***L'embarquement pour Cythere***

All of these things, created an idealistic perspective about Kythira to the romantics of the 17th and 18th century, who were coming to the island in search of the ideal, pure, romantic love. But... reality was different. The island had passed many rough times during many centuries, dozens of invaders and hundreds of years of poverty. The island was abandoned and reinhabited several times.

The disillusionment of those who came here seeking a world that didn't really exist, is depicted perfectly on "Voyage to Cythera" one of the masterpieces of Greece's greatest ever film director, Theo Angelopoulos (worldwide aknowledged master of cinematography). This time, the theme is not love, it's nostalgia, and the film has a strong political character. The hero is an old Greek comunist, who had left Greece after the end of the Civil War(1945-1949)and after passing 32 years of his life in the Soviet Union, he decides to return to his motherland. Meanwhile, all these years, he has created in his mind, his soul and his heart an idealized image of Greece. When he finally returns, he finds out that Cythera (his idealized Greece) doesn't really exist.

ABOUT THE PHOTO:
Taken at Fonissa (or "Neraida") waterfall, very close to beautiful Mylopotamos, about a 10 minute walk, from the village (you 'll see signs). If you like walking and a little bit of adventure, you can continue walking on the right side of the small river, following signs for watermills. You 'll reach to a renovated watermill. From that point if you follow some red and blue arrows, pass right beside 3 small lakes and about 20 old, ruined watermills and after a 30-40 minute walk, you 'll reach to a larger waterfall and a lake with crystal clear water (You'll aslo see a photo from there in the near future). You will probably be all alone there and if you go with your loved one, then Kythira will justify the legend of the "Island of Love".

ONE MORE PHOTO FROM KYTHIRA:
***A MERMAID IN KYTHIRA***

Copyright © 2009 – Hercules Milas. The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.