Milos
Milos , one of the most beautiful Greek islands, is situated in the southwestern Cyclades , just 86 nautical miles from Piraeus . Its surface area is 151 square kilometers and its varied coastline is approximately 125 kilometers long. Prophet Elias is its highest peak while its most predominant feature is its magnificent gulf, providing a natural harbor which is possibly the largest in the Mediterranean. The 5.000 inhabitants live mainly in the 8 villages: Plaka, Plakes, Triovassalos, Pera-Triovassalos, Tripiti, Pollonia, Zefiria and Adamas.
Officially, Milos is part of the county of the Cyclades, but it is also the centre of the prefecture incorporating Kimolos, Sifnos and Serifos, and with its administrative capital on Milos.
Plaka,
Adamas
About 7 km from Adamas are the beaches of Provatas and Agios Sostis. Again crystal-clear water, platinum sandy beach and multi coloured rocks. Before we turn to Chalaka , there are the beaches of Firiplaka and Tsigrado with the shallow, aqua marine waters. Its worth to visiting the two orthodox churches, Agia Triada which is one of the most significant in Milos, both because of its age and its architectural style, a rarity in Greece, Koimisi Theotokou, the mining museum with displays of minerals, rocks and the ecclesiastical museum.
A short distance from Adamas on the way to Plaka is two densely populated villages: Triovassalos Pera Triovassalos f Genesis of the Virgin, the catholic church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Rodon which according to the inscription over the door was built by Louis Brest in 1823 as also an exact replica of the Venus of Milos made by craftsmen of the Louvre museum in Paris.
The region on the top of the hill is called Kastro Tripiti Mandrakia, Firopotamos, Areti, Fourkovouni and Klima which are constitutes small fishing coves.
Between Plaka and Triovasalo is situated a small village called Plakes. Agios Charalambos where there is one of the oldest icons, Panagia Arkadiotissa. In the north part of the island, towards Pollonia, is located Sarakiniko . It is a volcanic formation, where the absence of sprouting with the white rocks gives you the impression of a moonscape.Along the route are Myrtaka , Agios Konstantinos and Pachaina . The sandy beach of Alogomantra at Agio Konstantino is particularly beautiful. After Pachaina, is the graphical creek of Kaprou and the cave of Papafranga . In the long open-roofed cave you can reach by the narrow steps and swimming in the small sandy beach.
In the north-eastern of Milos, around from a creek, is built Pollonia Agia Paraskevi and the church of Agios Nikolaos. There are regular boat and ferry services to Kimolos services. From here, you can visit Glaronisia . These islands with their rare volcanic formation are composed of pentagonal and hexagonal columns, rising in majestic array out of the sea, presenting a picture of unparalleled beauty.
In the north of Milos, 5 km from Adamas, is the small village of Zefiria Panagia Portiani, where the fiesta of the Virgin Mary is celebrated in the 15th August. A little further from Zefiria, is located Agia Kyriaki. Palaiochori with the multi-coloured rocks, the rich sandy beaches with the spotlessly clean and turquoise shades of the sea will be unforgettable.
In the north-west is located Kipos Geronta, Kleftiko, Geraka and Paliorema. Its worth to visit the church of Panagia , which is built in the Byzantine times, probably in the 5th century A.D. After the beach of Geronta you reach in the historical monastery of Agios Ioannis Siderianos which has been referred to in writings dating as far back as 1582. The beach of Agios Ioannis provides a quiet retreat for lovers of natural beauty. Leaving Agios Ioannis, is located the monastery of Agia Marina, the beach of Fatourena, the lagoon of Rivari and Emborios. Chiliomidi is the longest beach on the island taking its name from the clams which live in the salt water lake, immediately behind the beach.
You should visit the early Christian Catacombs, southern of the village Tripiti Catacombs of Milos. This was the meeting place of the early Christians. The catacombs are the largest examples in Greece and among the most remarkable in the world, together with those in Rome and the Holy Land and they indicate that Christianity was established on the island from the 1st century. There are three chambers linked by five corridors and a dead end passage, making up a labyrinth which is currently 185 meters long. This was open to the atmosphere but today, only the second chamber can be visited.
The Venus of Milos
On 8th April 1820, an inhabitant of Plaka , George Kentrotas, was digging in his field, in the area of the Ancient City. There he uncovered a small cave and inside was half the statue of Aphrodite (Venus) . By chance the French officer Olivier Voutier was nearby and amazed at this find, he persuaded the islander to search for the other half of the statue. This he did and after a short while, he came across the other half of the Aphrodite. Immediately realizing the artistic value of the statue, Voutier made a sketch of it and advised Louis Brest, the French vice-consul for Milos, to arrange for its purchase.
Hence an initial agreement with Kentrotas was made. Meanwhile, the French consul in Constantinople was informed and his secretary the Count of Marsailles was sent to buy it. He arrived only to discover that Kentrotas had already sold it to the Prince of Moldavia, Nicholas Mourouzis. Under considerable pressure, Kentrotas was finally persuaded to sell the statue to the French Consul, the Marquis de Riviers, and he immediately made a gift of it to the King of France, Louis XVIII. It was later placed in the Louvre , where it has been the object of ecstatic wonder of millions of people.
Since then, much has been written about this amazing, artistic masterpiece. However there are still many unanswered questions which concern the specialists such us: When exactly was it created? What was the sculptor’s name? Was it part of a more complex statue including the god Aries ? Why was it found in this particular place?
By plane: There are daily flights from Eleftherios Venizelos airport to Milos. Duration of flight: 30minutes approximately.
By Ferry: There are daily itineraries from Piraeus port to Milos. Duration of the trip: 5hours approximately.
By high speed boat: There are also daily departures of High Speed ferries. Connection with other islands
Milos is connected the summer period with: the Eastern Cyclades, Io, Sikinos, Folegandros, Santorini and Crete.
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