It is practically impossible to write about a Greek island without referencing its place in mythology or without crossing fact with fiction. Mykonos is no exception. This small sun-kissed isle was the supposed location of a rather ferocious inter-generational tussle between Zeus and the Titans, when the sons of the Gods succeeded in overthrowing the Gods themselves. It is also the birthplace of Artemis & Apollo, the twin offspring of the aforementioned and rather promiscuous deity. So the story goes Leto, daughter of one of the Titans, was seduced by Zeus and fell pregnant. Upon hearing of this, Hera, Zeus' wife banished Leto from all land so that she had nowhere to give birth. Fortunately, Zeus' brother Poseidon, took pity and gave her Delos, a diminutive rocky outcrop about 2 kilometres off the coast of Mykonos which was not chained to the floor of the ocean but rather floated and was therefore exempt from Hera's persecution.
The religious significance of the island made it a place of pilgrimage and gave both Delos and Mykonos perhaps their first taste of tourism. In the 6th Century BC Athens took steps to ensure that the island was properly fit for the worship of the Gods by digging up all graves within the sight of the temple and moving them elsewhere. However further action was needed for such a sacred site and it was later decided that all bodies on the island irrespective of their location should be removed. Furthermore, no person was allowed to be born or die there, so anyone looking remotely like doing either was promptly shipped off!
Located between mainland Greece and modern day Turkey and with the protection offered by its 3 neighbouring islands (the Cyclades), Delos made a vital trading port despite it having hardly any natural resources of its own. Its fine tactical location did not go unnoticed by many and over the centuries it was conquered and plundered by practically everyone to have sailed past it. The fingerprints of various cultures from the Phoenicians to the Romans, to the Saracens have resulted in a unique World Heritage Site which offers an intriguing glimpse of fallen empires. It's enough to make one feel rather melancholy, though that doesn't last very long under the big bright skies of the Mediterranean.
In more recent times, Mykonos suffered greatly under German occupation, but the arrival of the fifties brought a renewed sense of vigour and purpose. Legends of the Silver Screen Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly all visited the island adding to its allure, but it was fashion icon Jackie O who really raised Mykonos' profile, granting it mythical status all over again. She sailed into town aboard the good ship Christina, perhaps the most luxurious yacht of all time featuring a dance floor that transformed into a swimming pool! She fell head over heels for Mykonos' charming harbour with its rows of gorgeous houses overhanging the crystalline Aegean Sea, its white cuboid dwellings and the haphazard paths that promised adventure (and more boutiques no doubt!). The glamorous 60's gave way to the hedonistic 70's and travellers from far and wide were drawn to the island to shed layers and witness the famous Crimson sunset which still inspires artists, poets and bands the world over and often acts as a backdrop to legendary parties hosted by the world's greatest DJ's.
Being an island, the locals connection with the sea is a strong one and nowhere is this more strongly exhibited than in the hundreds of beautiful chapels and churches that dot the land, many of them built for the safe return of sailors. As you might expect from a community of sea-farers, eating on the island is an exceptional experience and there is no shortage of choice from the traditional taverna to contemporary fine-dining. As with everything in Mykonos, service is warm, relaxed and charming, and therein lies its greatest asset; the hospitality that it has been practicing for centuries. So raise a glass to Mykonos, a haven of elegance and simplicity, an island of myths & legends.
Sarah-Leigh Shenton is Head of Marketing for Abercrombie & Kent Villas, a private rental villa specialist with villas in Greece as well as Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. Sarah-Leigh's role takes her to some of Greece's most beautiful regions, including Mykonos, Crete and the Peloponnese.
Sarah-Leigh can be contacted on slshenton@akvillas.com
or see her web-site: luxury villas Greece
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