MYKONOS TRAVEL GUIDE

MYKONOS > ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCHAEOLOGY

Drafaki, Vrysi, Glastros, Platis Gialos

Interesting small monuments are found scattered in rural regions south of Hora: in Drafaki (Paspari), one can see some old well maintained chapels. In Vrysi, a few years ago an extraordinary vaulted grave of the Mycenaean period was discovered, with a rich interesting contents testifying to the particular relations of the island with the Hellenic Mycenaean centres. In the same region, in old gardens, there are marvellous dovecotes with their characteristic decoration.

In the countryside there are some ruins of ancient square or round towers that are supposed to have belonged to some fortification system on the island: The tower at Lino is 10 m in diameter maintains its base to a height of 1.80 m with traces of garrison house grounds and two early Christian chapels close by.

The tower in Portes dominates Platis Gialos and has a smaller diameter of 3.5 m. It has an impressive entrance which has survived the years that is shaped by three large carved granite blocks.

Kalafatis - Divounia

North east of Ano Meras, opposite the beach of Kalafati in Divounia - Tarsanas are traces of a prehistoric citadel above the small twin capes.

Ftelia - Poros

In many parts of the island, as in the region of Panormos Cape, prehistoric ruins have been located. The most important of which appears to be that of the neoclassical settlement of Ftelias with its discoveries dating back to 4500 BC. In the same place, and likely to have been known during the Ancient period, is the grave of Aianta of Lokrou, a hero of the Trojan Wars who was worshipped in Mykonos.