The Windmills of Mykonos (photo from Wikipedia)
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Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos has always sounded like an interesting place to visit. Greek mythology and Greek history seem to converge on this island. Archaeological findings date back to 3000 BC and Mykonos has been part of every major historical event in Greek history since then. From the mythology story of a great battle between Zeus and Titans and where Hercules killed the invincible giants having lured them from the protection of Mount Olympus to being part of the Roman Empire, then the Byzantine Empire, then under Venetian control with the Doge of Venice, then attacked by the Ottomans and ruled by Suleiman the Magnificent's generals.
Mykonos has become a vacation spot for many tourists due to its lovely weather and beaches. After our tour to Delos we can wander the main town.
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Mykonos (photo from Silversea website) |
Little Venice (photo from Wikipedia) |
What we plan to do:
The Sacred Island of Delos -
Experience the ancient beauty and ruins of Delos during a scenic and informative half-day tour of this sacred island.
Depart the ship for the brief transfer to the local ferry dock, then board a ferry, or 'caique', for the 45-minute ride to the tiny, uninhabited island of Delos. Upon arrival, your tour continues on foot.
Although Delos Island only has an area of approximately 1.5 square-miles (about four square-kilometres), it was once a very important religious, cultural and commercial centre. Today, the island is covered with ruins from fallen columns, sections of the famous mosaics that adorned the houses of the wealthy, a stadium and seats from a theatre. A row of five marble lions also stands amidst these ruins.
Other interesting monuments found at the site and spread over a wide area include the Agora, the treasuries of the various cities, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Theatre, the Sanctuary of the Foreign Gods, and the sacred Mt. Cynthus. After your visit, re-board the boat for the approximate 45-minute return ride to Mykonos. Upon arrival, you may opt to return directly to the pier via shuttle bus, or remain in town to explore picturesque Chora and return to the ship on your own.
From Wikipedia -
"The island of Delos (/ˈdiːlɒs/; Greek: Δήλος [ˈðilos]; Attic: Δῆλος, Doric: Δᾶλος), near Mykonos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. The excavations in the island are among the most extensive in the Mediterranean; ongoing work takes place under the direction of the French School at Athens and many of the artifacts found are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Delos and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Delos had a position as a holy sanctuary for a millennium before Olympian Greek mythology made it the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. From its Sacred Harbour, the horizon shows the two conical mounds (image below) that have identified landscapes sacred to a goddess in other sites: one, retaining its pre-Greek name Mount Kynthos,[1] is crowned with a sanctuary of Zeus.
Established as a culture center, Delos had an importance that its natural resources could never have offered. In this vein Leto, searching for a birthing-place for Artemis and Apollo, addressed the island:
Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple –; for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich.
—Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo 51–60"
