Among the better known
churches is Panaghia Paraportiani, actually an amalgamation of four chapels into one.large church, interlocked in a curious
geometric pattern. This church is located at the entrance to the town's old Venetian kastro, and shares the same promontory with
the Folklore Museum (open Mon-Sat 4-8 pm, Sun 5-8 pm, free). This museum is housed in an 18th century mansion with a floor made
from black Tinos marble, and exhibits an old traditional bedroom and kitchen, a gallery of 19th century prints, and an exhibit called 'Mykonos
and the Sea'. A branch of this museum is nearby at Lena's House (open April to October, 7-9 pm). This middle class 19th century
home Lena Sakrivanou, was left just as it was during her life, with even her embroidery and chamber pot left out for visitors to view.
Some of the finest icons on Mykonos are found in The Church of Aghia Kyriaki, to which one can walk from Mando Mavrogenous
Square.
Located between the
quay and town (open Tues-Sat 9 am-3:30 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm, 1.50 euros admission) this museum displays pottery from Dhilos/Delos, there's also
pottery decorated with sphinxes, lions, birds and horses from the islet of Rhenia (which was used as a necropolis om 425 BC during the purification
of Delos). The finest piece, found on Tinos, is a red 7th century BC funerary pithos (large clay urn) with relief scenes from the
fall of Troy, depicting the death of Hector's son and a Trojan horse full of warriors, with little windows. There is also a marble statue of
Hercules from Paros.
Open Tues-Sun 8:30 am-3 pm, 1 euro admission, this museum has an old lighthouse set up in its back garden, along with nautical items, including ships'models from ancient times, old anchors, ship's wheels, cannons, a collections of coins, paintings and prints, and copies of ancient tombstones of shipwrecked sailors. The museum is located in the center of town at Tria Pighadia, the fountain whose name means 'three wells'.
Foreign artists like to paint the thatched windmills in the Mykonos town. One of these, dating from the 16th century, has been restored to working order, (open June to September, 4-6 pm). This windmill, known as the Boni Windmill , is accessible via the steep Odhos Leondiou Boi, from which there are marvelous views of the town, the harbor, Delos and Rheneia, and of Syros and Tinos (to the west and northwest, respectively).
Sunsets from up here are spectacular. Another area that artists love to paint is Alefkandra, by the sea below, an area which has been dubbed 'Little Venice', and photographed for many postcards of Mykonos. This neighborhood, where high, arcaded Venetian houses sit right at the water's edge, has become quite fashionable, with bars, galleries, and discos. Behind the town's two banks is the library, which displays Hellenistic coins and medieval seals.
Why not enjoy Harry's Free Musical Compositions while you read this site? (opens seperately)
©Harry's Greece Travel Guides