HISTORY:Mykonos today is one of the best known and most cosmopolitan islands in Greece. Its fame overshadows that of the. other Cyclades. In antiquity, however, the' exact. opposite was true. Very little is known about the islands history and in all likelihood it played an insignificant role. Though Mykonos was colonized by the lonians in the l0th or 9th century its poor contribution to the Athenian Confederacy indicates that it was neither rich nor powerful The island had two cities in ancient times, one on the west coast near the present capital, the other in the north near Palaiokastro.

Under the Ptolemies and the Romans it prosspered to some degree, only to sink into obscurity once more during the Byzantine era.

From 1207 to 1390, together with Tinos, it belonged to the Ghizi family and was subse quently a Venetian province Sacked by Barbarossa (1537) and subjugated by the Turks, its inhabitants soon turned to piracy for a livelihood. An important event in Local history was the formation of the Commune of Mykoniots in 1615. From the l8th century on, the island began to flourish. It developed a distinguished merchant fleet and knew economic prosperity Mykonos was the birthplace of the Revolutionary hero, Manto Mavroyenous. Since the 50s tourism has brought the island unprecedented wealth.

SIGHTSEEING: The capital lies on the west side of the island, beneath the scant remains of a Venetian fortress (Kastro). This old neighborhood claims the town's pre·eminent

landmark, the Church of the Virgin Paraportiani, the most important of the island's 400 churches. Its unique architecture combines Byzantine, vernacular and Western features. The south part of town with its picturesque houses and wooden balconies is the famous "Venice of Mykonos" or Alevkantra;. The main square is dominated by the Cathedral and an old Catholic church. A bit further on stand the island's trademark the charming windmills, apparently on the site of the ancient city The archaeological  museum contains finds from near by Rheneia. Also worth visiting are the Municipal Library,.the Folk Museum and the recently opened Naval Museum At Lino there is a ruined tower, while near Platys Yialos an underground cistern, known as Yiannaros` well, has been found. Ano Mera is the site of the monastery of the Virgin Tourtiani, built in 1541 and restored in 1767 It is known for the sculpted decoration on its bell tower and for its Western stylistic elements.

Palaiokastro has given its name to a l7th century monastery; ruins of the old fortress can still be seen. Finds from the Archaic and Classical periods indicate that the hill behind the monastery was inhabited in antiquity, while at Panormou Bay and Mavri Spilia prehistoric remains and a vast quantity of geometric artifacts.have been discovered.

There is a beach on Mykonos for every taste. Among the most beautiful re Kalafatis, Platys Yialos, Elia, Agia Anna, Orno, with Paradise and Super Paradise reserved for nudists.