The village stands on the site of the ancient Phocian city of Phlygonia, whose acropolis corresponds to today’s Paliokastro. Phlygonia was destroyed by the Persian army of Xerxes during his campaign through Phocis, and again in 346 BC during the Third Sacred War, when Philip II of Macedon razed several Phocian cities. This punishment was imposed by the Delphic Amphictyony because the Phocians had cultivated land considered sacred to the Delphic oracle, as recorded by Pausanias.
Today, Kyriaki is nationally known for the Arvanitsa Forest Festival, an annual three-day music festival held in a forested area about 5 km outside the village. It is the only three-day Greek music festival of its kind so close to Athens and is organized by the Hellenic Mountaineering Association of Kyriaki.
The festival was first held in August 2012, featuring prominent artists such as Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Alkinoos Ioannidis, Lavrentis Machairitsas, Miltiadis Paschalidis, and Giannis Aggelakas. Over the years, the festival has grown significantly in popularity, attracting around 12,000 visitors in 2018, with artists including Pavlos Pavlidis, Ypogeia Revmata, Diafana Krina, Sokratis Malamas, and Natassa Bofiliou.
Kyriaki combines mountain beauty, deep historical roots, living tradition, and vibrant contemporary culture, making it a rewarding destination throughout the year.
