According to Greek mythology, a great battle between Hercules and the Giants took place where Mykonos now lies.

January 17, 2023

The Giants were believed invincible, but Hercules lured them away from the safety of Mount Olympus and into the Cyclades.

He killed and threw them into the sea, where they supposedly transformed into enormous rocks and became the island of Mykonos.

Mykonos neighbors a tiny island called Delos, which plays a key part in Greek mythology. Supposedly, the goddess Leto was searching for somewhere safe to give birth to her children, when Delos rose from the waves. There, she found safety and gave birth to the god Apollo and the goddess Artemis. Mykonos later got its name from Mykons, a local hero who was believed to be Apollo’s son or grandson.

Excavations on the ancient site of Ftelia on the north of the island revealed that the earliest inhabitants were the Kares, an ancient Neolithic tribe dating back to 3000 BC. Later inhabitants included the Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Minoans, before the Ionians settled in around 1100 BC. It became an important supply stop for travellers visiting Delos, and developed a thriving culture.

The earliest evidence of ancient Greek art, an amphora now known as the Vase of Mykonos, was found by a Mykonos local resident who was digging a well in 1961. Painted with scenes of the Trojan War, it dates back to 670 BC

Throughout the 13th to 16th centuries, Mykonos came under the rule of the Venetians, and then the Turks, until the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century. The people of Mykonos threw themselves wholeheartedly into the war effort. As great sailors, they offered all their ships, 500 crew, and 140 canons. They were inspired by the wealthy revolutionary, Manto Mavrogenous, who donated her whole fortune to the independence movement and led many battles. A statue commemorating her leadership can be found in Mykonos Town.   

By the time Greece won its independence in 1829, Mykonos had lost all its ships and its economy was decimated. It slowly began to rebuild stability with its textile production, which became highly regarded across Greece and abroad.

By the 1960s, Mykonos was beginning to attract artists from across the world who were drawn to its spectacular beaches and beautiful light. It wasn’t only artists, however,  who discovered the delights of Mykonos. In 1958, an injured pelican began roaming the streets of Mykonos Town. He was named Petros, and quickly became a mascot for the island. Whilst still young, he flew to the island of Tinos, where the locals there decided they wanted to keep him. The residents of Mykonos filed a lawsuit, and eventually won the right to bring Petros home. Huge celebrations erupted across the island that day they welcomed him home.

In 1985, Petros was killed, although the circumstances surrounding his death vary depending on who you ask. By this time he had developed a huge number of admirers, who mourned his passing. Jackie Kennedy Onassis donated a new pelican, Irene, to the island, and Hamburg Zoo also donated a pelican. Not long after, another injured pelican decided to make its home in Mykonos Town. To this day, the pink-backed pelicans stroll the streets and may even pose for a photo. The island is also known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, with world class hotels, dining, and nightlife. It has long been a favored destination by celebrities, with stars such as Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, and Brigitte Bardot soaking in its delights during the 1960s. This reputation continues to this day, with Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, actor and filmmaker James Franco, and model Emily Ratajkowski gracing the island’s shores.

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