 Mikonos
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 way to low,
rocky hills which 14 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, Mikonos 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 historical 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.
Mikonos is also the home of the Nautical Museum of the
Aegean, which has interest all of its own.
The countryside of Mikonos 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 white-washed 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 woodcarvings. 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 fmd
outstanding golden beaches such as Aghios Stefanos,
Psarou, Kalafatis, Platis Gialos, Omos, Elia and
Panormos.
Mikonos 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.
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