MYKONOS - located in the middle of the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades archipelago, measures 15x10 km and has 10,000 inhabitants.
According to legend, it takes its name from a descendant of the most popular Greek god, Apollo: his grandson was called Mykons.

Along with Santorini, Mykonos is one of the most famous and expensive islands in Greece. For decades, it has had fans all over the world: Hollywood stars like Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, music idols like Mick Jagger or Anastacia or super-rich people like Bill Gates, travel here, just like the world-class footballers David Beckham or Manuel Neuer. The Greek icons Mikis Theodorakis and Nikos Kazantzakis were also enchanted and inspired by this island. No wonder, because Mykonos is much more than just the most dazzling party island in Greece.

The absolute highlight is undoubtedly the main town, Chora, with its white, cube-shaped houses, narrow streets and small churches. It is also called Little Venice.

As a self-confessed early bird, I enjoy walking through the deserted alleys of the Chora in the morning or watching the fishermen and greengrocers at the harbour. I had the good fortune to watch my later friend Marko whitewash the exterior of the little church of St Mary, Panagia Paraportiani. I was also able to see the interior of the church, which is unfortunately no longer open to the public. Panagia Paraportiani consists of 5 chapels built into each other and is one of the most famous churches in Greece.

If you are visiting Mykonos, you should definitely take a day to visit the neighbouring island of the gods, Delos, and take in this gigantic open-air museum. For me, as a fan of Greek history and mythology, this place of worship belongs in a row with Delphi, the home of the most famous oracle in Greece, and Olympia, the place of origin of the sporting competition.

DELOS was the most famous island in ancient Greece. It was regarded as a sacred centre, which is why the group of islands around Delos, arranged in a circle, is still called the Cyclades (Kyklos: Greek for circle- in our time derived cycle). ). According to myth, the god of light, Apollo, and his twin sister Artemis were born on Delos on a small lake under a palm tree. The Greeks built 3 temples to the super god Apollo on this island.

After the end of the Persian wars, the Delic alliance of Greek cities was founded here and also the common, well-filled war chest was kept. By 422 B.C., due to the religious purity regulation " Katharsis" enforced by Athens, all tombs located on Delos were opened, skeletons and grave goods removed and taken to the neighbouring island of Rhenia. Another significant decree ensured that pregnant women and the seriously ill had to leave Delos: no more human life was to begin or end on this island.

Note:
Incidentally, a special honour was bestowed on a German in 2001: the long-time mayor of the city of Munich, Christian Ude, has been an honorary citizen of Mykonos since 2001 for his social commitment.


Special thanks to my friend Andros for his wonderful song

Andros Georgiou Album: Oi Notes Einai Mahairie's, track "Tha To Fonaxo Dynata"

Andros Georgiou on YouTube:    • ΑΝΔΡΟΣ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ Θα το φωνάξω δυνατά  

Andros Georgiou on Amazon Music: andros georgiou Oi Notes Einai Mahairies


Thanks also to my dear friends Inge and Gerhard


Cover: Torsten Lorenz,Dresden. BurunduXX-Factory https://BigLoro.redbubble.com

The intro and outro were created a few years after my Mykonos trip