Mykonos
Island in Greece
About Mykonos
Mykonos is famed for its whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, colourful doorways, upscale shops, and small blue and red domed churches. It is a maze of narrow street that all look the same. It is said that this was done on purpose to confuse pirates who would come to Mykonos and raid the town.
Panagia Paraportiani
The Church of Panagia Paraportiani (also known as the Church of Our Lady) sits at the entrance of Kastro neighbourhood, right by the sea. Its name Paraportiani means “standing next to the entrance door”, reference to the church was next to the castle door. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, this church comprises five small chapels built on top of or next to each other.
Little Venice
Little Venice is a row of quaint fishing houses that sit on the edge of the sea. Built in the 18th century, these houses were used by merchants since they could have direct access to the sea. Some of these houses have been converted into cafes and restaurants.
Kato Mili Windmills
The Kato Mili Windmills were used by the Venetians for grinding grain. They are conspicuous by their snow-white colour, spherical shape with the pointed wooden roof. Being hundreds of years old, most of the windmills have been renovated and converted into museums, homes, storage facilities and lodging accommodations.
Interesting Facts
- According to Greek mythology, the island is named after Mykonos, the grandson of Apollo. It was formed when Hercules defeated the Giants. The petrified bodies of the Giants became the rocks that formed Mykonos.
- Mykonos is called “The Island of the Winds” because of its breezy weather. It is also called the Chora, which is Greek for town.
- Being close to Cyclades islands, Mykonos is the ideal spot for island hopping using a ferry ride. It offers boat excursions to the island of Delos, an uninhabited island that is an entire archaeological site.
