|
Mykonos
(Mikonos) is a
beautiful
island in the Cyclades must be one of the most famous
island of Greece. It is a stony and hilly island. Mykonos attracts
thousands of visitors every year. It is world known for its
sophisticated nightlife and its beautiful white sandy beaches with
crystal waters. The island is compared to Ibiza and has the reputation
to be one of the gay capitals of the Mediterranean Sea.
(Area 85 sq. km.
Distance from Piraeus 94 nautical miles).
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 14 way 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 amphitheatrical 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 tavemas 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
historical and aesthetic interest are the medieval house in this
district of the town, which stand like a wall above the sea protecting
the west side of Hora.
The Archaeological
Museum ofHora contains finds from tombs on the nearby island of Rhenia,
sculptures, vase 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
Museum 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 has the interesting monastery
of Our Lady Tourliani, ornamented with fine wood-carvings . The church
has a collection of valuable ecclesiastical vessels, vestments and
embroideries. The courtyard contains an interesting bell-tower and a
marble fountain.
Here lovers of the
sea will find out standing 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
Information:
Piraeus Port Authority, tel. : 210 4593.000
From Rafina
Information: Rafina
Port Authority, tel. : 22940 22.300
By Air from Athens
Information:
Olympic Airways, Ath- ens, tel.: 210 9666.666.
Flights on from Mykonos to Santorini, Iraklio and Rhodes.
Information: Olympic Airways, Mykonos, tel.: 22890 22.490 (ticket
office), 22890 22.327 (airport).
Useful Telephone
Numbers
Mykonos Police
Station: 22890 22.235
Tourist Police: 2289022.482
Municipal Information Bureau: 22890 23.990
Olympic Airways ticket office: 22890 22.490
Airport : 2289022.327
Port Authority: 22890 22.218
Archaeological Museum: 22890 22.325
Folklore Museum: 22890 22.591
Nautical Museum of the Aegean: 22890.22.700.
Things to buy
Woven goods,
Jewellery. Folk art. Local specialities: Salted white cheese ("kopanisti"),
Almond confectionery ("amygdalota"), Fermented almond cordial ("soumada").
|
