Ruined Lime Kiln

Until the 1950s, the building activity in Kythera was almost exclusively based on local raw materials and lime was produced in the lime-kens of the island. The so-called “kaminades”, were skilled craftsmen who were engaged in this difficult and painstaking activity. Two elements were necessary to select the appropriate location: limestone and vegetation. The lime kilns were elaborate dry-stone structures, of circular shape and specific style, which allowed the rise of high temperatures (which exceeded 1000° C), necessary for firing limestone. First they built the “kazani” of the furnace, the large pit with the built walls, which is still visible. Then, they closed the kazani by building a vaulted room, leaving two or four openings, the “pores”, from which they fed the fire. Over the dome, they loaded all the remaining stones. The entire load of stone that turned to lime was called “gomari”. In the upper part of the furnace, in the “hood”, they put an “askela” (Drimia maritime) for good luck. The kiln had to bake the limestones for at least three consecutive days and the “kladi” was the fuel material (skinos, prinos and phrygana). Locals say that this lime was of better quality than the one we produce today.