Discover Milos Island
Origins & History

The island's strategic location and its abundance of mineral resources have played pivotal roles in its remarkable cultural, economic, and historical development. Milos has been known by various names throughout its history, as inscriptions from ancient times attest. Some authors have mentioned it as Biblis, Mimallis, Zephyria, Akitos, and Vilos. Others suggest it was a Phoenician colony, while some propose that its first settler was likely Milos, from the generation of King Kinyras of Cyprus.

Since the Neolithic era (7000 BC), trade on Milos thrived, particularly with the export of a renowned stone known as obsidian to the entire Mediterranean. This black stone, resembling glass, was fashioned into knives, blades, chisels, spear and arrowheads, and other tools long before the discovery of metals. Prehistoric sites in the Peloponnese have yielded Miloan obsidian tools, evidence of maritime communication between Milos and mainland Greece dating back approximately 7,000 years BC. This represents the earliest recorded instance of shipping in world history. Milos actively participated in the joint struggles of ancient Greeks, having sent two pentekonters to the naval Battle of Salamis. Additionally, 480 Miliian hoplites fought in the Battle of Plataea.

Milos has long been within the sphere of influence of Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, as evidenced by the remains of the prehistoric city of Phylakopi. Phylakopi is considered the first city of Milos and one of the most significant settlements of the Bronze Age (2800 BC - 1000 BC) in the Aegean, particularly in the Cyclades. However, prehistoric installations have also been discovered in other locations on the island.

During the Athenians' campaign against the Persians, the Melians, aligned with the Spartans due to their shared Dorian heritage, did not participate. This resulted in the Athenians launching two punitive expeditions against Milos (426-415 BC), leading to its capture. Following the fall of Athens, those Milians who escaped returned to their homeland.

From 311 BC, the island was under the control of Macedonia and later Egypt. The freedom and security of the seas, facilitated by the formidable fleet of the Ptolemies, contributed to the island's economic growth and artistic flourishing. Milos enjoyed a period of renewed prosperity that extended into the Macedonian and Hellenistic eras, as evidenced by significant discoveries from that time. Notable among them are the monumental statue of Poseidon (standing at an extraordinary height of 2.5 meters, now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Athens) and, above all, the Venus de Milo, currently displayed in the Louvre Museum.

The island flourished during the Roman occupation, with the construction of the marble theater in the ancient city (1st century AD). Concurrently, catacombs were established, signifying the early spread of Christian doctrine on the island.

From 1207 to 1580, Milos was under Venetian rule, and like other islands in the Aegean, it subsequently fell under Ottoman Turkish control. Notably, the island's famous caves served as a refuge for pirates during this period. In 1832, Milos was incorporated into Greece, and in 1824, refugees from Sfakia in Crete arrived and settled in what is now the village of Adamas. During the First World War, the port of Milos served as a naval base for the Anglo-French Aegean fleet. In World War II, Milos was occupied by German forces in May 1941 and liberated in May 1945.

The Greek term for "catacomb" is "κατακόμβη" (pronounced as katakombi). It follows the same etymology as the English term, originating from the Greek words "kata," meaning "down," and "kymbe," meaning "hollow" or "cavity". It refers to an underground system of tunnels or chambers used for burial purposes. Archaeological research reveals that the catacombs of Milos also possessed a religious character, as evidenced by a rock left in the center of a portico, serving as a Holy Altar. In the early 2000s, a service was held in this space during the feast of All Saints.

This expansive underground complex comprises three chambers, five corridors, and a funeral hall. Presently, only Chamber B is accessible to visitors, as other sections have suffered from landslides. The history of these catacombs is closely intertwined with the island's flourishing mining industry during the 2nd century AD. The trade in ores with Rome influenced the architectural style of this structure, bearing resemblances to the catacombs of Rome. The broader region of Tripiti abounds with caves carved into the porous volcanic rock, which in ancient times were utilized by the inhabitants as family burial chambers. Locals also referred to these catacombs as the "Hellenic Cave."