Ioulida (Chora). Ioulida is the capital of the island of Kea. Ioulida is centrally located on the island, on the slopes of the hills of Kastro and Myloi and 5 kilometers (3 mi) from the port of Kea, Korissia. In antiquity, the ancient city of Ioulida, which flourished in the Archaic period, was located on the same site.
Nowadays Ioulida actually is a picturesque village that appears anything but typical Cycladic. In the Cyclades the houses are mostly white with blue windows and doors. In Ioulida the houses, doors and windows are all kinds of colors. What is most striking are the ceramic tiles on the roofs of the houses, because that is only seen here! Elsewhere, the roofs are flat. The center of the village is very nice because the narrow streets are decorated with colorful flowers. The houses are built near each other and there are some little squares with cafes, restaurants or shops. The village is very well kept and the houses look neat. Something you often see, are the pedestrian walkways and arcades built above the streets.
A striking building in Ioulida is the old school with its neoclassical style (19th century) as well as the town hall (1902). In the village you can see many beautiful churches painted in different colors.
Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Edited by Katrina Butzer