MYKONOS (Myconos). Mykonos is world-famous.
It is no coincidence that this, the most cosmopolitan of all
Greek islands, attracts so many visitors from all over the
globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals.
Here, the steep mountains to be encountered in most of the
Cyclades give war to low, rocky hills which
combine with superb beaches to make up the landscape of the
island.
The capital, Hora, with its colourful harbour in
which little fishing boats nestle happily side by side with
luxury yachts, presents quite a different picture from
the
majority of Aegean island towns. While it is usual for island
villages to be built on naturally amphitheatrically sites,
Mykonos
is spread out over a flat area and conveys an impression
of solid aesthetic cohesion.
Along the whitewashed streets stand brilliant white box-shaped
houses with stepped walls for sitting on, wooden doors and
windows and brightly-coloured balconies. These are interspersed
with small but impressive churches, pretty little tavernas
and shops selling souvenirs and other goods, and the overall
sense is of being inside a film set.
On the low Kastro hill is the complex of churches known
collectively as Our Lady 'Paraportiani', a superb arrangement
of whitewashed
masses created over the centuries and now recognised as a
national
cultural monument.
Of particular historicall and aesthetic interest are the
medieval houses in this district of the town, which stand
like
a wall above the sea protecting the west side of Hora.
The Archaeological Museum of Hora contains finds
from tombs on the nearby island of Rhenia,
sculptures, vases and figurines. The Folklore Museum brings
together a
number of collections of furniture, icons, pieces of sculpture
and folk musical instruments. Mykonos is also the home of the
Nautical MuseUIl1 of the Aegean, which has interest all of its own.
The countryside of Mykonos is a mixture of grey-green rocks
ringed by prickly pear plants and little fertile areas carpeted
with wild flowers. Here and there are tiny whitewashed chapels
and windmills.
Ano Mera is, after Hora, the most important of the older villages
on the island. Standing 8 km. to the east of the town, Ano
Mera bas the interesting monastery of Our Lady Tourliani,
ornamented with fine woodcarvings. The church bas a collection of valuable
ecclesiastical vessels, vestments and embroideries. The court yard contains an interesting belltower
and a marble fountain.
Here lovers of the sea will find outstanding golden beaches
such as Agios Stefanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Platis Gialos,
Ornos, Elia and Panormos.
Mykonos is a busy island with all the amenities of a modern
resort and with plenty to do - by day or night for those
who want to have a lively time. Yet visitors fond of more
peaceful holidays will still find quiet corners in which to
relax. How to get there:
By ferry from Piraeus and Rafina.
By air from Athens
Enjoy our
beautiful pictures of Mykonos! Click on them to enlarge:
|
De
windmills of Mykonos
Photo: Denise Dene. |
De windmills of Mykonos
Photo:
Danny Verhasselt. |
|
Mykonos little street.
Photo:
Fam. Caria. |
Paraportiani
church
Photo: Denise Dene. |
|
Kastro,
Mykonos
Photo: Denise Dene.
|
little street in
Mykonos
Photo: Bruno Hubrecht.
|
Mykonos
Photo:
J. en W. v. der Sleen.
|
Spring at
Mykonos.
Photo:
J. en W. v. der Sleen. |
Back to Cyclades | Back to
Greece
