Amirali Springs

How many different treasures can you find on an island? Karavas is “synonymous” with plenty of water and rich vegetation. The settlement is built on a key point, utilizing the water potential and the numerous sources of the Patima water basin, which is one of the most important in Kythera. If Marmaro and the church of Agios Charalambos are the center of Karavas, then Amirali springs at its heart. Apart from the spring, the small district and the gardens around it is the place for gathering, celebration and partying, as well as for a refreshing tour in the world of the ravine, for both locals and visitors. On a mythical island, every name hides a local history. There are many variationsof the history of the name of the springs. A Turk named Amer Ali lived higher up in the ravine, towards Progi, and was taking water from the spring when he once fell off his horse and died or was murdered because he fell in love with a woman from Karavas. Most likely, however, the place name comes from someone with the Byzantine rank of amiralium (admiral), who had a property in this location under Venetian rule. References to the place name Amirali exist since 1720 and in the 16th century a resident of Kythera appears with this surname. Most often, the old Karavites say “Amirialis” or “Amirgialis” (not Amiralis), and prefer the water from the Keramari spring upstream in the ravine.