Milos is the fifth largest island in the Cyclades with an area of 151 sq. km, a population of 3,222 inhabitants and 126 km of coastline. Its shape resembles a horseshoe, as the two sides of the island are joined by a narrow isthmus; in between, the sea penetrates deep inland to form the huge Bay of Milos and its safe natural harbour, which is one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Milos, as you will discover, has its own special charm due to the rare morphology of its terrain and its mineral wealth. Spectacular rock formations with different textures and unusual colours, from the purest white to black and from golden yellow to deep red, combine to form marvellous multicoloured images and landscapes that have been painstakingly fashioned by nature over the centuries. On Milos the bowels of the earth seem to be linked to the surface through vents that have created hot springs at various points. Here the visitor stands in awe before the divine inspiration that went into creating places such as Sarakiniko, Kleftiko or the Glaronissia. The sea too, the azure Aegean sea, has left its mark on the landscape. It has sculpted the coastline into countless indentations and inlets, mostly covered by fine white sand, that the visitor will find it difficult to resist. On the south coast of the island particulalry, the endless motion of the waves has created caves small and large that once hid pirates and buried treasure, local independence fighters and members of the resistance during the Great Wars. The island of Milos also has a rich history. Its fame has spread far beyond the borders of Greece thanks to the Aphrodite of Milos, the famous statue that is better known as the "Venus de Milo" which draws the admiration of all the visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris where it is exhibited. The strategic position of Milos on the sea routes gave rise in ancient times to the early development of civilisation on its hospitable land, a civilisation that shone for many centuries and provided a great impulse to the arts, especially those of pottery and sculpture. At Phylakope, vestiges of the foundations of ancient cities have been found, one built on top of the other. Later, when the ancient world fell apart, Milos was among the first to adopt the new religion. The catacombs at Klima date from the early years of the Christian era and are considered among the most significant in the world today. In antiquity, the Milians were wealthy merchants thanks to obsidian, the island's hard, black, glass-like rock that was used to make sharp tools and weapons before the discovery of iron. In later times as well, the soil of Milos has kept on providing rare and valuable materials that are shipped to all corners of the world. Milos island has been a very important center of the Cycladic culture and has experienced an important development thanks to its safe natural harbor and its rich subsoil. Plentiful obsidian deposits were found all around the island, which the inhabitants of Milos sold to Crete and the rest of Greece for the construction of weapons and tools. After the Peloponnesian War the Athenians destroyed the island, which experienced a new development during the Hellenistic period, at the time when the famous Aphrodite of Milos was constructed. In 1820, a farmer discovered the statue near the ruins of a roman theatre. At that time a French battle ship anchored in Milos and spread the news to the French Embassy in Constantinople. The French accomplished through their ambassador to bring the statue in Paris, just before it was supposed to be transferred to Athens. Today the famous statue of Aphrodite is situated in the museum of Louvre and you can find a copy of it in the archeological museum of Milos at the capital Plaka. As the ship approaches the port in Milos, you will be faced with a quite spectacular view. Its strange horseshoe shape, emerging out of the blue waters of the Aegean combined with the great Greek sun, creates a majestic and glorious spectacle. You will be filled with the desire to embrace it... what we can guarantee is that you will love it! Milos is one of the most seductive and hospitable of the Cyclades islands. It is 86 nautical miles from the Pireaus port and it has an area of 151 sq. km. This amazing island has approximately 5,000 inhabitants, who live in a total of eight settlements. They are Plaka, Plakes, Triovassalo, Pera Triovassalo, Apollonia or Pollonia, Zefiria, Tripiti and Adamada. Milos is noted for its volcanic ground, as well as for its rich in minerals subsoil. Its volcanos were active during the last 3,000,000 (million) years, but today they are considered to be inactive. During your stay in Milos, we propose that you visit the archaeological museum in Plaka, the catacombs and the ancient theater in Tripiti, the extraordinary cave of Pafragas and the archaeological site. |
