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Myconos Island
Myconos is situated south-east of Tinos and north of Paros and Naxos. One of the island's characteristics is the total lack of trees or green, justified by the ground's composition and the dry climate, strong winds and extensive sun. The island was never known for its agricultural production, yet the vineyards produce excellent wine. Today, the surge in tourism allows only slight cultivation of orchards and fruits, while the vineyards are destined of personal consumption. The 3,000 inhabitants of Myconos are engaged with tourism, and fishing, while fewer are occupied with stock-breeding. The wild life and good manners of the locals have made Myconos one of the most famous islands in the world. Myconos is regarded as being the most cosmopolitan and crowded island of the Cyclades. Every summer it draws crowds of tourists who seek vivid holidays. Greek mythology claims that Myconos was formed by the fossilized bodies of the giants that Hercules killed, and was named after the mythical hero Mykono. Cosmopolitan and charming, picturesque and sophisticated, it has been the playground of the famous and infamous alike, since the 50s. Myconos is known for its windmills, rocky hills that gently roll down to sandy beaches, wild night-life, and of course "Petros" the Pelican. The capital, Chora, is adorned by beautiful, white-washed, boxed-shaped houses, built around stone-paved narrow streets, small red-roofed chapels, lively bars, first-class restaurants and simple taverns. The harbour is equally hospitable to luxury mega yachts and small fishing boats. Ano Mera, the second most important village in the island, is home to the interesting Monastery Our Lady of Tourliani, with a collection of valuable ecclesiastic vessels, vestments and embroideries. Beach lovers will enjoy the crystal clear Mykonian beaches Psarou, Kalafatis, Paradise, Platis Gialos, Ornos, Elia and Panormos.
According to myth, Neptune, during his battle against the Giants, threw huge rocks that fell into the sea and formed the wild, rocky ground of the island. The history of Myconos begins with its first inhabitants, who are said to have been Leleges or Kares. They were followed by the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Cretans, while, in 1,000 BC, the island was inhabited by Ionias. Myconos was a member of the First Athenian Alliance in 478 BC. After the Romans occupied the Cyclades and Delos was declared a free port, the island of Myconos flourished, till 88 BC, when Delos was destroyed by the Mithredates. Myconos was occupied by the Venetians, only to be submitted to the Gizi family, who ruled until 1390. In 1537, Myconos was conquered by the pirate Barbarossa and was submitted to the Ottomans until the Revolution of 1821, to which Myconos took an active part. The Revolution's heroine, Mando Mavrogenous, gave her entire fortune for the cause. The island was liberated along with the rest of the Cyclades, yet poverty drove the locals to migration, until the 1950s, when tourists interested in the ruins of Delos, began to visit Myconos and were impressed by its natural beauty.
Place of interest ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. Myconos' Archaeological Museums most significant exhibit is a big clay jar, on which the Hellenic expedition to Troy is represented in relief. This jar, which was found in the city of Myconos, dates back to 640 BC and is one of the most beautiful examples of archaic art. FOLK ART MUSEUM. The Folk Art Museum, founded in 1959 by professor Kyriazopoulos, includes collections of ancient and modern Myconian furniture, pictures, photographs, ceramics, folk instruments, post-Byzantine sculptures, iron and bronze utensils. MONASTERY OF PANAGIA TOURLIANI AT ANO MERA. The monastery of Panagia Tourliani was founded in 1542 by monks of the monastery of Katapoliani on Paros. In 1767, the monastery was restored, assuming its present shape. In the monastery's yard, you can admire a sculptured marble fountain, while the wood-carved screen of the church has been constructed in Florence. A museum operates inside the monastery, which features religious exhibits like vestments, Byzantine and Renaissance icons, the first bells of the monastery and other ecclesiastical gems. NAVAL MUSEUM OF THE AEGEAN. The Naval Museum of the Aegean was founded by the ship-owner Georgios Drakopoulos in 1985. The exhibits include ship models from the pre-Minoan era till the 19th century, historical naval documents, a collection of rare ancient coins with naval depictions, naval objects and marble copies of Myconian and Dilian tombstones of shipwrecks and missing seamen.
Transportation By Air There are regular 45 minute flights from Athens. During the summer season, Mytilini, Rhodes, Samos, Chios and Herakleion of Crete, offer flights to Myconos. From the sea Ferry boats There are many scheduled departing Piraeus and Rafina to Myconos port. (94 nm, in 4-6 hours). Also, there are ferry boats from Thessaloniki and Herakleion,(230 nm, in approximately 13 hours).
Hydrofoils
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