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CYCLADES ISLANDS |
Cyclades archipelago: Island by Island: |
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PRACTICAL INFO |
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- Preparing your holiday |
Milos
Amongst the most picturesque :
Among the most beautiful:
Milos :
Overview
- Where to stay ? -
Excursions
- Photo gallery
Plaka, the island's main town, also includes the villages of
Tripyti, Plakes, Triovassala and Pera Triovassalo.
Plaka is a small perched village that is dominated by both a
Kastro, a ruined Venetian fortified castle, and by the church
of Kimissi tis Theologou.
The view over the entire island is superb and the sun setting over
the bay of Adamas is a sight to behold.
To the west of the village, be sure to visit the church of
Korfiatissa. It was built in 1810 on a rocky pinnacle and has a
beautiful iconostasis of sculpted wood.
The lanes of Plaka are charming with their spotlessly white
houses, their flowered courtyards and their picturesque churches.
You will find an interesting Archaeological Museum to visit
there with objects bearing witness to the island's history since the
Neolithic period. There is also a Museum of Popular Art which
is well worth a visit because the life of the inhabitants is
retraced from the 17th century to the present.
As a result of the rise in tourism, Plaka's image has changed
somewhat; many shops, art galleries and taverns have opened. Some
rented accommodation and little guesthouses can also be found there.
Tripyti also has some interesting lanes to explore.
Picturesque windmills dominate the village which is otherwise well
known for its taverns, mainly frequented by local customers. Nearly
everywhere, delicious specialities of Milos are served, such as "pitarakia",
delicious fritters filled with goat's cheese as well as the famous
"astako makaronada", a lobster pasta dish.
From Plaka and Tripyti, hikers can take paths that
will lead to the "Catacombs", or to the charming fishing
villages of Klima and Fourkovouni.
The Catacombs are situated below Tripyti. Between the
2nd and 5th centuries, they were used by Christian communities to
bury their dead, in a place formed out of three parallel caves that
were cut into the cliff face. It is the biggest funeral gallery
after the one in Rome. Only the central cave is open to the
general public.
Halfway along, between the Catacombs and Tripyti, in
the middle of olive trees, are found the fairly well preserved ruins
of a Roman theatre which overhangs the bay of Klima. In the
summer, a few plays are performed there. This is the area where the
"Venus de Milo" was discovered in 1820.
On
the north coast of the island one often sees a typical sight, always
with the same characteristics - the "syrmata", or boat
garages in Greek. "Syrmata" comes from the Greek word "syrma"
which means iron cable. In ancient times the islanders pulled their
boats from the water using cables in order to put them under shelter.
Garages were later dug out of the rock and closed with a wooden door.
Their main function was to protect the boats from the often very
violent northerly winds. Gradually, they developed into permanent or
secondary one- or two-storey homes above the garages, that are still
down at the water's level. They are usually bright red, green, and
blue.
Klima
Situated just below the Catacombs, at
the farthest end of a small valley planted with fruit trees,
Klima is one of the prettiest fishing ports found anywhere in
the Cyclades. It is located right at the water's edge and its
houses built over garages are a pleasing sight with their colourful
wooden balconies and staircases.
Firopotamos
Nestling in a magical setting, at the far end of a
creek surrounded by cliffs of kaolin, a white and flaky rock,
Firopotamos is a tiny fishing hamlet with a pretty beach of
white sand, bordered by a line of tamarisk trees.
Mandrakia
A small semi-circular port with charming boat garages, it is
dominated by a chapel around which has developed a hamlet with
several second homes. Facing the sea is a tavern where you can taste
a selection of local fish-based mezzes.
For sports enthusiasts, there are kayaks for hire.
Sarakiniko, situated on the northern
coast between Triovassalos and Apollonia, is probably one of
the most visited sites on the island due to its surreal landscape
with its strangely shaped white rocks. The lack of
vegetation combined with the white-coloured rocks accentuates this
impression of a lunar landscape.
Halakas is a mountainous
region which occupies the south-west of the island. It offers
contrasting landscapes that are sometimes deserted, with strange
ochre-toned rock formations, and sometimes wooded. Its coast is
lined with a string of beautiful creeks and beaches. The church of Kipos
Built
around the 5th century A.D., it is the oldest church on the island.
It is interesting for both its architecture and its baptistery.
Below the church, on the beach, caïques will take you to the caves
of Kleftico. A former hideout of pirates, it is a group of
strangely shaped but magnificent white rocks that emerge from
emerald-green waters. Aghios Ioannis monastery
Surrounded
by high walls, it was built in 1582 as a fortress; there are
numerous legends associated with the history of this monastery and
the miracles performed by its Saint. Certain "evidence" can be found
in the manuscripts kept inside the monastery. A large pilgrimage in
memory of the Saint is held each year on the 25th September. It
lasts several days and there are numerous festivities. The pilgrims
come from the surrounding areas, even from the island of Kimolos,
and can be put up in the monks' cells specially made available for
them
Below the monastery is the very beautiful beach of Agios Ioannis,
perfect for those who love solitude.
There are so many beaches and they are so varied that the choice
will be difficult. The prettiest are located in the south of the
island.
Paleochori
It is one of the largest beaches found anywhere on
the island set against a background of sumptuously coloured cliffs.
The waters are generally warmer than elsewhere.
A number of rooms to rent and taverns can be found there.
Tsigrado
Situated below a dune, it is a superb sandy creek
with water of such beautiful shades of turquoise and green that
you'll never forget it.
Gerontas
Beautiful beach of fine sand in a landscape of extraordinarily
shaped rocks.
We would strongly recommend that you go on this tour.
Here you will be able to discover colourful coastal landscapes,
creeks with idyllic waters, the underwater caves of Sikia,
Kleftico, and Papafranga, and the rocks of Glaronissia. A
true paradise.
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