play mika in the shade while si- pping ouzo and retsina wine. Ano Mera is also home to one of the island’s most important sites: Panagia Tourliani Mona- stery, which dates back to the 15 th century. This snow-white monastery located on the right side of the central square is de- dicated to the Holy Mother of God and a miraculous icon that represents the protector of the island. Built by fugitive monks from Paros, who found refuge from pirates on Mykonos, the monastery’s main church is de- dicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Just a kilometre to the south is Pale- okastro Monastery, which da - tes to the 12 th century and was constructed, as the name sug - gests, on the remains of an old fortress. This area is an impor- tant archaeological site as it is believed to have been the lo- cation of one of Mykonos’s an- cient settlements. Cholera and white houses “Unless you have seen the hou- ses in Mykonos, you can’t pre - tend to be an architect,” sa - id famous French architect Le Corbusier, who fell in love with the pristine beauty of Mykonos and praised it on every possible occasion. In reality, the trade - mark whitewashed houses of Chora were actually yellow, pink or blue until the 1930s, when former Greek Prime Minister Io - annis Metaxas decreed that all Cycladic residences must be covered with lime due to hygie- ne. The country was plagued by cholera at the time and lime was then the most potent disin- fectant. The once colourful ho- uses then turned white over- night, under the watchful eye of local policemen. Labyrinth and pirates Dotted with designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants and lively bars, Chora’s trademark labyrin - thine streets are a delight to get
lost in. Yet their characteristic form is attributed to Mykonos’s pirate days. Back in the 1700s, the island was plagued by fero- cious raids, prompting the lo - cals to seek a solution in the construction of these winding lanes that would confuse ma- rauders and prevent them from finding their way to the heart of the town. However, the pira - tes of Mykonos weren’t always bad. While they terrorised the- ir enemies at sea, they also protected their kinsmen aga- inst the Turks and even provi- ded them with sustenance. The last known Pirate of Mykonos who took to buccaneering in an effort to avoid becoming ensla- ved by the Ottomans was even nicknamed “Robin of the Seas”, as he actively helped orphans and widows. Little Venice and shopping Little Venice is the picture po- stcard seafront neighbourho- od of Chora, where the world’s elite gather to enjoy themse - lves. The colourful rows of ho- uses that evoke images of the famous Italian city testify to the island’s deep-rooted connection with the former Republic of Ve - nice. Mykonos was under dire-
ct Venetian rule from 1390 un- til 1718, when it was conquered by the Ottomans. The 19-metre tall Armenistis Lighthouse was built in 1891 and boasts stu- nning sunset views. The shop- ping in Mykonos is, obviously, excellent. Greek designers line Matogianni Street, while Little Venice is great for casual fas- hion, jewellery and souvenirs. Chora’s other delights include an appealing open-air cinema, Cine Manto, and a number of quirky art galleries. Beaches to suit everyone With more than 30 different beaches boasting fine whi - te sand and crystal-clear wa- ter, Mykonos has something for everyone’s tastes and require- ments – from isolated and de- serted coves to bustling and lively shores. with great enterta- inment day and night. There are beaches for water sports, nudi - sm and families, beaches that host night parties etc. Among the most popular are the bea- ches Super Paradise, Paradi - se, Paraga, Agia Anna, Ornos, Psarrou, Agios Ioannis, Elia, Agriari and Lia. The beaches of the south coast are also ge- nerally more popular thanks to their parties, top restaurants and famous bars. Delos excursion Mykonos belongs to the Cyc- lades island group, which con - sists of 33 islands that form a circle (“cyclos”) around the sa- cred islet of Delos: birthplace of the divine twins Apollo and Artemis. Located just a 30-mi - nute ferry ride from Chora, the island is teeming with history and has a rich heritage. De- los occupies a central positi- on among the Cycladic islands, which is why ancient poet Ca- llimachus dubbed it “the he- art of all the islands” in the third century BC. Popular througho- ut the Mediterranean, this now uninhabited island had around
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