Milos

Milos is part of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. It is 11,2 km long and 17,6 km wide, but the sea cuts into the island creating a large bay giving it the shape of a horse shoe. The sea port is situated in the bay, making it one of the Mediterranean's largest natural harbours. Located about half-way between Creta and the mainland boats are the main mean of transport to and from Milos.

Photos: Sivan Askayo

Many of the beaches on Milos are surrounded by tiny fishing cottages. Those Syrmatas are build so close to the sea that the ground floor is used as the garage for their boats while the first floor is used as living space.

Today hardly any of the Syrmatas are used by fishermen but are rented to mainlanders or tourists as holiday homes.

According to legends the island was named after its first inhabitant. In Greek mythology Milos is the son of a Cyprian family who was sent to live on the island by the godess Aphrodite after his parents committed suicide.

The more widely believed theory is that it derives from the old prehellenic word »βήλος« meaning sheep.

Continuously inhabited for more than 5000 years Milos quickly established itself as one of the most progressive cities in the Mediterranean in Ancient Greece. Through mining the black vulcanic rock obsidian it prospered and became a centre for trade.

One of the most famous antique scultpures was discovered on Milos in the 1820s. The Venus of Milo shows the Greek godess Aphrodite and was discovered in ruins close to the village Tripiti and is now dislayed in the Louvre in Paris.

After the collapse of Ancient Greece Milos was repeatedly fought over and rules by the Romans, Byzantians, the Ottomans and even Nazi Germany during WWII.

With more than 70 beaches Milos offers the perfect spot for everyone, may it be white sand, volcanic rock or even deap sea caves surrounded by ancient runes like in Papafragas. Along the coast are many old caves that were once used as hide-outs by pirates.

2009 the Christian synod declared the island sacred as it contains the oldest Christian monument known today. The catacombs are in caves close to the village Tripti. As early as the 2nd century BC they were used as the muncipal cementery of the island and later as the first gathering (and hiding) point of the first Christians living there.