Why Visit
The island's landscape is a symphony of blazing bare rock, blinding white peasant architecture and, in contrast to its small size, numerous lacy stretches of the most beautiful sandy beaches, all these accentuated by the wonderful Mediterranean light and set against the deep blue background of the Aegean. Mykonos Chora, the island's port town and capital, is still considered by many as the Greek Saint-Tropez and it never fails to allure the crowds that flood it every year, thanks to its unique character that locals have managed to preserve almost intact to this day.
Around narrow, whitewashed streets there are white cubicle houses clustered, with their tiny balconies, colored windows and liliput yards lined by bougainvillea and pots of basilica. Numerous little churches and chapels, hidden minuscule piazzas and water wells, as well as the multitude of colourful shops are there to further accent this chaotic picturesque setting, where a simple stroll can turn into the most exhilarating experience. Mykonos is world famous for its beautiful golden sandy beaches and transparent waters. There is a beach for every taste and mood.
History
Mykonos owns its name to the son of the King of Delos, Mykonos. In fact, the history of Mykonos in the antiquity was much connected to the history of the neighbouring Delos. According to mythology, Hercules, in one of his twelve tasks, was fighting the Giants and, having killed them, he threw them in the sea where they petrified and turned into huge rocks, forming the island of Mykonos. Being in the shadow of the prosperous and spiritual island of Delos, where Leto was believed to has given birth to god Apollo and goddess Artemis, little things are known for Mykonos during the Ancient Times.
We know, from excavations in the ancient site of Ftelia, that the first inhabitants of the island were Cares, succeeded by Phoenicians, Egyptians and then Minoans who were followed by the Ionians. The ancient Mykonos developed a great culture and in fact the earliest amphora of the ancient times has been discovered on Mykonos and it is known as the Mykonos vase. In 1207, like the rest of the Cyclades, Mykonos came under Venetian rule. The Gizi dynasty took the authority of the island and built a Castle for its protection. A century later, Georgios Gizi, the last Venetian ruler, concede the island of Mykonos to Venice. In 1537 Mykonos, with most of the Cycladic islands, came under Turkish domination.
Because the inhabitants of the island were great sailors, they provided an important help to the War of Independence, offering their 22 ships, their 500 members of the crew and their 140 canons to the Greek Revolution against the Turkish yoke. The heroic revolutionary figure of Mykonos is a woman, Manto Mavrogenous who financed the Revolution, helped in the organisation of fights, participate to the Filiki Etairia (a secret revolutionary organisation) and managed to organise troups in order to revolt against the Turks in 1822.
After the Greek Independence, the economy of the island was completely destroyed and it lost all its ships. Later on, the island succeeded to reinforce their commercial power to rebuilt the economy using the textile, as the most important source of income for the families. In fact, the textile of Mykonos was of such high quality that it was traded around Greece and abroad. Tourism in Mykonos started to flourish in the early 1960s, when it became the favourite shelter for the artists and later for the hippies. The archaeological site of Delos became a great attraction and today, Mykonos has become one of the top tourist destinations in Greece. The various classical ruins, ancient sites and other findings are closely associated to the history of Mykonos.
Museums - Archeological
Mykonos is a beautiful place of major historical interest that is well-preserved to this day. A visit at the museums of the island is highly recommended starting from the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos. Here visitors will enjoy a vast collection of exhibits from the Hellenistic period and prehistoric times including vessels, statues and columns. Equally important is the museum in the sacred place of Delos. Imposing buildings, sanctuaries and exquisite collections of sculptures and other findings can be viewed.
In Chora, the capital of Mykonos is home to many museums which highlight the island's rich legacy, in the history and the tradition. The agricultural museum of Mykonos can give you a small tour on the agricultural way of life of the Mykonians, daily items and methods used at that time. The Folklore Museum of Mykonos offers an interesting journey in the traditional Mykonian life on the last century. The exhibition hosts typical Mykonian furniture, icons, photos, post byzantine scupltures and historical documents.
A special section of the museum is the famous Lenas House, a traditional 19th century middle-class Mykonian house. Also worth seeing is the Maritime Museum of Mykonos,where is unfolded the nautocal history of Mykonos through instruments, tools and various other exhibits. After completing your tour in the museums of Mykonos, you can pay a visit at the Municipal Library housed in the magnificent old mansion. The library is composed of a great number of books that locals donated including history, poetry, political and literature as well as rare manuscripts.
Beaches
Super Paradise, Paradise, Elia, Lia, Platis Gialos, Paraga, Psarrou, Agia Anna, Agios Ioannis, Agios Sostis, Agios Stefanos, Agrari, Divounia, Fokos, Ftelia, Glyfadi, Houlakia, Kalafatis, Kalo Livadi, Kapari, Korfos, Megali Ammos, Ornos, Panormos, Agios Lazaros
Religious Monasteries and Churches
The holy sites of Mykonos offer a unique monumental interest, concentrated around Chora and its nearby villages. Churches and monasteries of all sizes preserving their simple and austere architecture, stand proudly at the most privileged locations of the island with a splendid view to the sea. Their construction date begins from the Byzantine times and until the 19th century.
Panagia Paraportiani (Our Lady of the Side Gate) is the symbol of Mykonos located in the neighbourhood of Kastro. The church actually consists of five other churches built in 17th century. It is the most photographed church in Mykonos, famous for its unusual shape and architecture. Some kilometers from the capital of Mykonos stands the beautiful monastery of Panagia Tourliani, known for its remarkable architecture and rare icons. Inside the complex is the Ecclesiastical Museum of Mykonos displaying holy vestments and nice items.
The church of Zoodochos Pigis or Megali Panagia is the Cathedral of Mykonos standing in the heart of Chora and a couple of meters from there lies a catholic church. The monastery of Paleokastro is another important religious site found on the hill slopes above Ano Mera village. It was founded in the 18th century and today it is inhabited by nuns. Agios Panteleimon is a beautiful 16th century castle-monastery found in Marathi and is well-decorated with beautiful icons. Also worth seeing is the Catholic church of Mykonos, Panagia Rodario dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the numerous chapels.
