Greek Islands: Milos [Archive]

Ares_K

August 20th, 2008, 02:53 PM

Milos island / Νήσος Μήλος

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Milos, one of the thousands of Greek islands, is to be found in the SW Cyclades, a large island group in the Aegean Sea. It is 86 nautical miles from Piraeus and approximately half way between Piraeus and Crete. Its surface area is 151 square kilometres and its varied coastline is 125 kilometres long.

Its most characteristic feature is its magnificent gulf, providing a natural harbour, which is possibly the largest in the Mediterranean. This, in combination, with the island’s vast mineral wealth, has played and is still playing, a major role in the history, economy, culture and development of the island society throughout the last 7,000 years.

Its geological make-up is volcanic. However, this formation which is different from that of the rest of the Cyclades group, (with the exception of Kimolos), is the reason for the island's lack of forests, rich vegetation, natural water supplies and rivers. Never the less, it has given it colour. This unique Milos colour, is dazzlingly evident in its multitude of beautiful beaches - more than 75- with their glistening silver sand and clear blue waters. Also in the chalky white, terracotta, ochre and jet black rocks, the like of which can be seen nowhere else in the whole of Greece.

Using radio-active dating techniques, it has been estimated that volcanic activity in the Southern Aegean began 2-3 million years ago. In Milos, activity ceased 90,000 years ago, which is considered to be recent on a geological time scale. (Extinct volcanoes are to be seen at Firiplaka and Trachylas).

Eruptions took place on land and sea and as evidence of this, fossils of both land and sea organisms, can be found in the tufa (volcanic rock). Some examples of these are: pecten Jako-baeus, pinna pectinata, ostrea edulis and balanus.

There are two extinct volcanoes; the one at Firiplaka, on the south coast, has an impressive and well-preserved crater, with a diameter of 1.700 metres and height of 220 metres approximately. The other is at Trachylas, NNW Milos, although only a small part of it remains.

Another geological formation is that of the steep-sided hills such as Castro, which rises above Plaka, and Prophet Elias. These volcanic «plugs» were formed when magma, from under the earth’s crust, failed to erupt, due to low gas pressure. This molten rock solidified inside the volcanic pipe to form a hard rock called andesite. Subsequently, the softer surrounding rock was worn away exposing the hard rock cylinder or «plug».

The «Seagull Islands», off the north coast, are a remarkable and rare example of andesite column formation. These islets are entirely made up of vertical, pentagonal and hexagonal prisms, 20-30 cm in diameter, in majestic array.

Also on the north coast is Sarakiniko where fossils of land and sea organisms abound. Here, layered variations of white volcanic rock interplay, to create a dramatic land and sea-scape. This, together with the total absence of vegetation, gives us the distinct impression that we are ...on the Moon.

One of the volcanic characteristics is the geysers, mostly in the east and south-east, where gases, mostly carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and steam, issue through apertures in the rocks, often causing yellow colouration, the well-known sulphur smell and elevated surface temperature eg. Ag. Kyriaki 102o C, Pyromenes 100o, Paliochori 101o C, Vounalia 54o C, Kastanas 86o C, Adamas 100o C. At points where this occurs under the sea, bubbles of gas are visible on the surface and again the same characteristic smell and elevated temperature. Examples may be seen at Ag. Kyriaki, Paliochori, Kanava and Rivari.

Hot Springs

There are also a number of hot springs, some of which are spas and although they have never been adequately exploited, Hippocratis mentions them in his writings«On Epidemics». We are told that Atheneans with dermatological problems went to the spas on Milos, in search of a cure.
These springs are at sea level in Adamas for example, where public baths have been built - the temperature reaching 33,3o C. Further examples are, Alikes (22o C), Kanava (50o C), Paliochori (50o C), Mandrakia (54o C), Adamas Haros (42o C), Provata and Tria Pigadia and elsewhere.
The chief salt present in the waters is sodium chloride, but the sulphates of calcium, magnesium, potassium and ammonia are also to be found, along with carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide. The spa waters are considered to remedy rheumatoid arthritis, gynaecological and dermatological illnesses among others. These areas also exhibit elevated land temperatures.

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History

In ancient times, «Melos» prospered because of its great mineral wealth. It has been inhabited since the Neolithic age (7000 B.C.) and developed more rapidly than the neighbouring islands because of the black glass-like volcanic rock called obsidian which was used by the «Melians» to make tools and weapons. Since obsidian from Melos has also been located in the Peloponnese, Crete, Cyprus and even in Egypt, it is believed that there was a flourishing export trade too.

From the beginning of the bronze age, (2800 - 1100 B.C.), the island played an extremely important part in the Cycladic world, centred at the ancient city of Philakopi, which in fact gave its name to an entire archaeological period.

With the coming of the hellenic peoples, the Dorians settled in Melos around 1000 B.C. During the same period, a new settlement was being built in the area of modern Klima. This new town developed rapidly particularly in the field of art and craft. The so called «Melian Vases» of that period are greatly renowned.

Very little is known of Melos before the 5th century B.C. It is known however, that the Melians refused to surrender to the Persians and fought with the rest of the Greeks at the battles of Salamis and Plataea. In their attempt to remain neutral during the Peloponnesian war, they were punished by the Athenians who, in 415 B.C. put all the old people to death and sold the young men, women and children into slavery.

The history of the island, throughout the following centuries, was similar to that of the rest of the Cyclades Islands. Until 311 B.C., Melos was ruled by Macedonia and then by Egypt. The powerful fleet of the Ptolemaids ensured the freedom and safety of the seas. As a result, the island of Melos saw a phase of renewed economic growth which was also reflected culturally. Examples of this creative era are the famous statue of Venus, (at the Louvre Museum in Paris), and the imposing 2.50 metre tall statue of Poseidon (displayed in the National Museum in Athens).

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During the Roman Conquest, a number of new buildings were constructed (Ancient Theatre), and Christianity made its appearance, probably during the 1st century. The Catacombs of the island, the most extensive in Greece and among the most significant in the whole Roman Empire, are undeniable proof of this.

The most important event in the Byzantine era was the destruction of the Ancient City at Klima (5th - 6th century), possibly as a result of an earthquake.

Sulphur Mines

On the east coast of the island is a small beach called Paleorema with crystal clear emerald water and yellowish pebbles from the sulphur of the area. here is the old sulphur mine and the ruined factory installations which operated until 1956 providing a means of living for many islanders. Today, this is one of the geological sites of the mining history of Milos.

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All pics are from flickr and info from http://www.milos-island.gr