Brief History of Mykonos

     Mykonos is one of the best known greek islands. It has an area of 85 sq. km., a shoreline of 80 km and a native population of 7000 people. However, during high season, the population grows to extremely higher numbers. The island can be reached by air from Athens, Rhodes, Santorini and Herakleion (Crete) or by ferry from Piraeus (94 nautical miles), Rafina (71 nautical miles), the Dodecanese, Crete, and Thessaloniki. The trip by ferry from Piraeus takes about 6 hours. In summer there is 'flying doplhin' service from Piraues or Rafina. A local boat service takes visitors from Mykonos to the nearby island of Delos. According to mythology, the island was named after Mykonos, the son of Apollo Anios. Because of his father - who was a god of light - the island of Mykonos was called "the island of the light". According to another myth, Neptune - the god of the seas - during his battle against the Giants, threw huge rocks that fell into the sea and formed the wild, rocky ground of the island.
     The history of Mykonos begins with its first inhabitants, who are said to have been Leleges or Kares. They were followed by the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Cretans, while, in 1,000 BC, the island was inhabited by the people of Ionia. Mykonos was a member of the First Athenian Alliance in 478 BC. Later, the island was occupied by the Romans. In the Byzantine years, Mykonos was a member of the province of Achaia, originally, while later it became a member of the Scheme of the islands.
     After the Franks dissolved the Byzantine Empire, Mykonos was occupied by the Venetians, only to be submitted to the Gizi family, who ruled until 1390. In 1537, Mykonos was conquered by the pirate Barbarossa and was submitted to the Turks until the Revolution of 1821, to which Mykonos took an active part. The Revolution's heroine, Mando Mavrogenous, born in Mykonos, gave her entire fortune for the cause and was personally involved in informing foreigners, not only about the battles, but also about the war's campaign.
     The island was liberated along with the rest of the Cyclades, yet poverty drove the locals to migration, until the fifties - when tourism began to grow, at first for touring ancient Delos. The island became a meeting point for the international jet - set and people began to be interested in Mykonos and its natural beauty. Ever since, the island's tourism has thrived.
                                                                         
Mykonos today
  
     The ground of Mykonos is infertile and rocky. One of the island's characteristics is the total lack of trees and green areas, a fact justified by the ground's composition and the climate which is dry with frequent, strong winds and long exposure to the sun (approximately 3,000 h per year). The earth is rich in led, silver and barites. The island was never known for its agricultural production, yet the vineyards produce excellent wine. The inhabitants of Mykonos are occupied with tourism, fishing and sailing, while some are occupied with stock-breeding. The people of Mykonos are cheerful and hospitable. They have become accustomed to the swarms of tourists in the summer and have ensured the conditions necessary to help strangers have a good, comfortable stay. The wild life and good manners of the locals have made Mykonos one of the most famous and loved islands throughout the world.   
     Mykonos is one of the most beautiful islands in the Aegean, and it offers the widest variety of holiday choices. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to enjoy its sandy beaches and the memorable views of the traditional windmills, the picturesque port town, the medieval quarter and the small cycladic churches that one meets all over the island. More than that, the island is also offering all the cosmopolitan fun, the shopping opportunities and the ''wild'' nightlife that can make your vacation unforgetable.
The southern part of Mykonos island is more sheltered, the north part is wilder, with some still unspoilt gems waiting for you to discover them.