3 must-visit landmarks in Mykonos
Mykonos is famed for its picture-perfect Cycladic beauty, bright sunny days, ragged-like beaches and wild nightlife but the island has so much more to offer visitors. In order, to truly experience the island you must not neglect the opportunity to visit some of its top landmarks, which symbolize the islands culture, customs and traditions.
Windmills– Nobody has ever visited Mykonos and not be struck with awe upon viewing the white windmills. These magnificent white soldiers, as they are known, have been one of the most recognized landmarks in Mykonos, which is also known as the ‘island of wind.’ Due to the island’s geographical position, situated on the crossroad of a sea-trade route, which in the past joined Venice to Asia, Mykonos was the perfect location for tired travellers to rest while the islanders refined their grain in the island’s mills for their remaining voyage at sea as early as the 16th century. Most of the windmills were strategically positioned around the main harbour to provide easy access to the travellers. The most famed windmills are those situated in a row on a hill overlooking the scenic Aegean Sea, known as the ‘Kato Milli,’ which in Greek means the Lower Mills.
Little Venice: This old neighbourhood is the most romantic area of Mykonos as well as the ideal spot to watch the breathtaking sunset. These rows of fishing houses stand on the waterfront with their balconies and doors facing the sea. As legend has it, they belonged to secret pirates who used to store their treasures in the ragged-looking two-story buildings using secret passage ways from the sea. Today most of the houses have been renovated and converted into petite art galleries and charismatic cafes and bars, where locals and tourists alike, enjoy their coffee or drink while staring into the blue sea.
Three Wells: Tria Pigadia (Three Wells) symbolizes Mykonos’ prosperous history. The identical three wells lie in a row next to each other, in the centre of Chora. They were constructed in 1722 and used as the island’s main supply of water. Surprisingly, the Three Wells were very shallow, only 5 or 6 metres in depth, in contrast to contemporary wells which are usually well over 30 metres deep. The wells were not dug very deeply, because the island’s ancestors cleverly thought of digging into sand providing easy access. According to local legend, if a virgin drinks water from all the Tria Pigadia she will find her prince charming and get married!