Mykonos history

According to ancient Greek mythology, the island of Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants defeated by Hercules during the Gigantomachy. It received its name in honour of the ancient hero Mykons, who was considered a descendant of the god Apollo. Historical data confirms that Greece began developing these territories in deep antiquity: in the early 11th century BC, Ionians arriving from Athens settled here, displacing the earlier Carian tribes.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of the settlement was defined by the specific conditions of the region:

• Proximity to Delos: The neighbourhood with the sacred island of Delos played a decisive role. Mykonos became a crucial transit hub and supply base for pilgrims visiting the religious centre of antiquity.
• Geography and Climate: The rocky soil and strong winds made agriculture difficult, which pushed the inhabitants towards developing maritime crafts.
• Strategic Position: Located in the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, the island served as a convenient stopover for merchant ships traversing the Aegean Sea.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the ancient era, the local economy was modest due to limited natural resources. The inhabitants were renowned as skilled seafarers and fishermen. Cultural life was inextricably linked with polytheism: Dionysus, the patron of viticulture, was particularly revered here—indicating the development of grape cultivation even in harsh conditions—as were Demeter and Poseidon.

Major Historical Milestones

• 11th Century BC — Ionians from Athens settle the island, displacing the indigenous population and bringing their culture.
• 1207 — Mykonos comes under the authority of the Republic of Venice and is governed by the noble Ghisi dynasty.
• 1537 — The island is captured by the Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, marking the beginning of long-term Ottoman rule.
• 1718 — Following the Treaty of Passarowitz, local maritime trade begins to flourish, and the island's fleet strengthens significantly.
• 1770–1774 — During the Russo-Turkish War, the island is temporarily under the control of the Orlov brothers' fleet.
• 1821 — The island's inhabitants, led by national heroine Manto Mavrogenous, actively join the War of Independence waged by Greece.
• 1830 — The island officially becomes part of the newly formed independent Greek state.
• Late 19th Century — The development of steamships and the opening of the Corinth Canal lead to the decline of traditional sailing trade and population outflow.
• 1923 — Following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, refugees from Asia Minor arrive on the island.
• 1930s — The first European artists and intellectuals begin to visit, attracted by the ancient heritage of neighbouring Delos.
• 1941–1944 — During World War II, the island endures a difficult occupation by Axis forces and famine.
• 1950s — A gradual economic revival begins thanks to the first organised tourist flows.
• 1961 — A visit by US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attracts the attention of the global press and celebrities to the resort.
• 1980s — The island definitively secures its status as one of the most popular and cosmopolitan tourist destinations in the world.

The story of the transformation of Mykonos from a modest fishing settlement into one of the most recognisable resorts in the world is a series of vivid ascents and adaptations to changing conditions. Greece takes pride in this island not only as a holiday destination but also as an example of unique cultural and economic evolution.

Key Stages of Development and Their Significance

• Venetian Urban Planning (13th–16th Centuries).

  During this period, the unique architectural appearance of Chora (the main town) was formed. To protect residents from pirate raids, the streets were designed as an intricate labyrinth where invaders would easily get lost. Defensive structures were erected, including the Kastro castle, which defined the dense, clustered development that survives to this day.

• The Era of Windmills (16th–19th Centuries).

  The economic flourishing of the island at this time was linked not to tourism, but to grain processing. Thanks to strong winds, Mykonos became the main "bakery" of the Cyclades. The famous windmills, now a symbol of the island, had a purely industrial significance back then: they ground grain for passing merchant ships, ensuring the island a stable income and food security.

• Rise of Maritime Merchantry (18th–19th Centuries).

  Due to its advantageous geographical location and special tax status during Ottoman rule, local residents created a powerful merchant fleet. This led to the emergence of a class of wealthy shipowners and captains. It was their wealth that allowed for the construction of the famous mansions with balconies hanging over the sea in the area later named "Little Venice".

• Technological Shift and Demographic Crisis (Late 19th Century).

  The advent of steamships and the opening of the Corinth Canal deprived the island of its strategic advantage as a sailing port. This led to the decline of the traditional economy and mass emigration of the population in search of work. Paradoxically, it was the poverty and lack of new construction during this period that allowed the authentic look of the town to be preserved, preventing it from changing under the influence of industrialisation.

• Cultural Renaissance through Archaeology (Early 20th Century).

  The first wave of foreign interest in the island was connected to excavations on neighbouring Delos. Mykonos became a transit point for archaeologists and history enthusiasts. This laid the foundation for perceiving the island as a cultural centre rather than just a place for beach leisure, attracting the first creative intelligentsia.

• "Discovery" by Bohemians and the Golden Age of Tourism (from the 1960s).

  The arrival of world celebrities, such as Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Kennedy, and Grace Kelly, radically changed the town's destiny. From a poor village, it turned into a cosmopolitan centre of luxury. This entailed the rapid development of service infrastructure, the opening of boutiques and hotels, as well as the establishment of strict urban planning norms to preserve the traditional Cycladic style (white walls, blue doors).

The Architectural Code of the Island

The architecture for which Mykonos is famous is the quintessence of the Cycladic style, becoming the hallmark of the entire Aegean region. Unlike mainland Europe, here the change of eras was reflected not in a succession of lavish styles like Gothic or Baroque, but in the evolution of functionality and adaptation to harsh natural conditions. Greece carefully protects this unique landscape: local legislation strictly limits the number of floors and requires regular whitewashing of buildings to preserve the historical appearance.

Urban Planning Concept: Protection and Climate

The layout of the main town (Chora) differs radically from classical ancient poleis with their straight streets. It is subordinate to two main factors of the past:

• The Labyrinth Effect: Streets were intentionally designed to be narrow, winding, and confusing. This served as the main line of defence: pirates landing on the shore would lose their orientation, end up in dead ends, and become easy targets for defenders.
• Aerodynamics: Dense "clustered" development, the absence of sharp corners, and the orientation of buildings help disperse gusts of the powerful northern "Meltemi" wind, creating a comfortable microclimate within the residential quarters.

Styles and Historical Layers

Although the island seems uniformly white and blue, a keen eye will distinguish the influence of different cultures and periods:

• Cycladic Vernacular (Folk Architecture): The dominant style, the timeless foundation of the town. Characterised by cubic forms, flat roofs (for collecting rainwater), rounded corners, and miniature windows to maintain coolness.
• Venetian Influence (13th–18th Centuries): Vividly manifested in the Alefkandra district ("Little Venice"). Here, houses are built right on the surf line, foundations are washed by the sea, and facades are adorned with colourful wooden balconies and loggias—a feature typical of Italy but rare for the Cyclades.
• Post-Byzantine Architecture (15th–17th Centuries): Represented by hundreds of votive chapels and churches. Their peculiarity on Mykonos is emphasised plasticity and asymmetry. Domes are often painted red or blue.
• Neoclassicism (Late 19th Century): Rare but notable buildings, such as the Town Hall (Prytaneio). They are distinguished by tiled pitched roofs, strict symmetry, and the presence of columns, reminding of the period of trading prosperity and ties with major European powers.

Iconic Structures that Shaped the Look

Several architectural objects have become symbols not only of the town but of the entire country:

• Church of Panagia Paraportiani: A unique architectural complex formed from the 15th to the 17th century. It is not a single building, but five churches merged into a single snow-white monolith. The absence of straight lines makes it look like a natural rock formation or a melting iceberg.
• Windmills (Kato Mili): Monuments of the early industrial era (16th century). Cylindrical towers with conical thatched roofs and small windows were purely utilitarian structures for grinding flour, but their silhouettes on the hill defined the town's panorama.
• Captains' Houses: Two-storey mansions in the centre of Chora with external stone staircases and marble decorative elements, testifying to the wealth of the maritime class of the 18th–19th centuries.

Prominent Figures in the Island's History

The history and popularity that Mykonos has gained are inextricably linked with the names of people who were born here or played a key role in shaping its unique image. From heroes of the national liberation movement to representatives of the global bohemian scene—each of them left a mark on the chronicle of this corner, in which Greece takes great pride.

• Manto Mavrogenous (1796–1848)
  Heroine of the War of Independence
  A legendary historical figure who spent her entire fortune equipping ships and organising the 1821 uprising. She lived on the island and effectively directed the actions of the local fleet. The town's main square (Plateia Manto), where a bust of the heroine is installed, is named in her honour.
• Ioannis Svoronos (1863–1922)
  Archaeologist and Numismatist
  A native of the island who became one of the most authoritative global experts on ancient coins. He headed the Numismatic Museum in Athens for a long time and published fundamental works shedding light on the economic history of the region in antiquity.
• Melpo Axioti (1905–1973)
  Writer and Poetess
  A significant figure in 20th-century modern Greek literature. Although she spent most of her life in Athens and in exile, her work is deeply rooted in memories of childhood on the island. Her works helped capture the daily life and atmosphere of old Mykonos before the start of the tourist boom.
• Le Corbusier (1887–1965)
  Modernist Architect
  The famous French architect visited the Cyclades in the 1930s. His enthusiastic reviews of local folk architecture attracted the attention of the global community to the simplicity and functionality of the Cycladic style, affirming its value in the eyes of modernists.
• Yannis Galatis (born 1940)
  Fashion Designer and Artist
  One of those who turned the quiet fishing island into a centre of world fashion. Since the 1960s, he created clothing inspired by local traditions, attracting stars of the first magnitude (from Jacqueline Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor) to his atelier and popularising the resort among the elite.
• Pierro Aversa (1928–1999)
  Artist and Restaurateur
  An Italian-American painter who opened the famous "Pierro's" bar in the 1970s. He became a key figure in creating the cosmopolitan and free atmosphere of the resort, making it a point of attraction for the creative intelligentsia and the international jet set.