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Mykonos
is part of a
cluster of
islands
including Delos,
Rhenia and some
rocky islets.
Mykonos, already
inhabited since
the 5th
millennium B.C.
(prehistoric
settlement of
Ftelia), has
shared with them
a long and
copious history
with them. Its
intense tourist
and cosmopolitan
activity, which
has continiously
kept Mykonos in
the foreground,
inevitably
reminds us of
the cosmopolitan
ancient Delos
during the
period of its
commercial peak
(Hellenistic-roman
period).
Since the
fifties, Mykonos
has always been
one of the most
popular tourist
islands of the
Mediterranean.
Chora, as the
town of Mykonos
is commonly
known, impresses
and casts its
spell on the
visitor from the
first moment,
with its
beautiful
position, scale
and
architecture.
Despite the
great tourist
development of
the island, it
manages to
maintain its
cycladic
features and
traditional
look, like few
other towns.
Its cube-shaped,
all white houses
glow in the
sunlight,
scattered wisely
and orderly in
the countless
labyrinthine
alleys and
streets with
whitewashed
cobbled
pavements. A
little further,
on a low hill,
the windmills,
having stood for
centuries,
compose a
picture of
unparalleled
beauty in
combination with
red domes and
bell towers of
the countless
churches. In the
harbour, a small
colorful
flotilla of
caiques and
fishing boats
completes this
unique picture
with its vivid
colors.
All in all,
maintaining the
form of the
traditional
architecture of
the Cyclades on
the modern
buildings
ensures a unique
feeling of
harmony to the
town and
interior of
Mykonos. Nothing
can be compared,
though, to the
emotion inspired
by the
enthralling
space of ancient
Delos. A real
town with its
streets and
markets, public
buildings and
temples,
luxurious houses
and shops,
cisterns,
columns,
mosaics…
Bathed in
perennial
sunlight sent by
the god Apollo,
they are all
spread between
the hill of Mt.
Kynthos and the
port with its
crystal clear
waters, giving
the visitor the
impression that
they stopped
functioning only
yesterday.
The fame of the
island and the
large number of
visitors, among
whom one can
recognize some
of the most
famous
personalities
all over the
world, have
resulted in the
commercial
activity that
has made the
market of
Mykonos so
famous.
So, in the
streets of
Mykonos, most
important of
which is
Matoyianni, one
can buy clothes,
jewellery and
works of art
designed by the
most celebrated
designers and
artists. One
wouldn’t
exaggerate if
one said that,
quite often,
this is where
the trends in
fashion and
style to prevail
worldwide are
decided.
One can enjoy
one coffee, or
ouzo with titbit
and the
traditional
tastes at the
cafes. Bars and
restaurants
scattered all
around, and
observe at the
same time, a
colorful crowd
wandering in the
narrow streets
of the town.
Chora is also
the starting
point if you
want to discover
the rest of the
beauties of the
island, its
picturesque
interior and
spotless
beaches, using a
regular bus
service or other
means of
transport.
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