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MILOS

Milos is a volcanic island. It is rich in minerals and its soil has many variations. There are many beautiful, peaceful sandy beaches, and others with multi-colored rocks and strange caves. It is 87 n.m. from Piraeus with which it is linked by ferry-boat. It is also connected to Athens by airplane.

HISTORY

Milos was one of the first islands of the Cyclades to be inhabited. There are neolithic ruins in Filaki and traces of obsidian, found only here. This mineral, which resembles glass and was used for the manufacture of tools (knives and spearheads) when metals had not been discovered, played an important role in the development of the island. Milos was an important center of Cycladic civilization which emerged earlier than the Cretan one and then followed a parallel evolution. Around 2000 B C, began the dominance of the Minoans. There followed the Myceneans and (1100 B C.) the Dorians. Later, after the end of the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians avenged Milos' alliance with Sparta by destroying the island. Milos prospered again during the Hellenistic era and, among the works of art, it produced was the famous Aphrodite (Venus) which was found in 1820 in the vicinity of ancient Milos and is currently in the Louvre Museum. Milos was one of the first places to adopt Christianity. Its hecatombs, burial place of more than 6,000 Christians, are unique in Greece. [ Source: Greek National Tourism Organisation]

This island has a unique natural beauty manily because of its geology.  It does not have the intense night life that other islands are known for so it is usually preferred by people who are looking for quieter vacation. What will impress you most on this island is the magnificence of its geology.  There are beaches surrounded by erroded rocks that look like natural sculptures.  Each side of the island has a different geological structure that has its own unique appearance.  Take for example the Sarakinika.  While approaching the beach you get the impression that you see huge rocks that have been smoothened by the sea water.  But when you get on them you realize that they are sand that looks like it has been pressed until it solidified and then it has been filed to smoothness with some kind of sandpaper.  Then consider the Kleftiko.  This is an area where crystal clear water has erroded the rocks in such a way that the rocks stand tall and slender apart from each other forming wide passageways and caves.  Then consider Firiplaka; the clear water has erroded beautiful beaches on the base of the hill.

Because of this formation, many beaches are hard to get to by land (but not all) and the usual means is the boats that take you in the morning for a day's tour around the island.  These tours are really worthwhile.  The boats stop at some of the most beautiful beaches for swimming.  Those who feel more adventurous go for the exhillaration of reaching hard to get beaches through the land.  In a couple of beaches there are even ropes that aid the climbing.  Well, some people enjoy this adventure but even if you don't you will still not miss out; boats get there too.

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