Greece Trip: Milos (5.3.24)

I had never heard of the Greek island of Milos before visiting it on May 3, 2024.
 

Dave and I were both amazed when our guide took us to the spot where one of most famous statues in the world, the Venus de Milos, was unearthed!  The original is in the Louvre, but a copy stands on an arid hill in Milos!  A French diplomat heard about the farmer's find during the 1800s, recognized its value, and arranged to ship the statue to Paris.  I assume the Greek government may have requested that statue back, along with requesting the Elgin Marbles from the British!

Our first stop on our shore excursion was an overlook of the ocean, next to sea caves.  We walked down to the beach and appreciated the beautiful rock formations in the sea.

We then hiked uphill to yet another white-washed, gorgeous mountain top village.  This church was in session, with churchgoers preparing for Greek Orthodox Easter the following Sunday.

Our guide told us the history of the village, including that it had hosted a Nazi hospital during World War II, when the Germans occupied many of the Greek islands.

The village was a photographer's dream.

Our guide then led us to Christian catacombs, built during the first century A.D., within decades of Christ's death.  The catacombs were first used as a burial site and then, when prejudice against Christians grew, they were used as a secret meeting place.  Our guide suggested that Paul or one of the other original apostles may have come to Milos, since the Christian community on Milos was organized so early.

We took turns venturing inside the catacombs, with their many yards of passageways and niches along the wall for tombs.

It was a hot day, with a lot of walking. Resting while we waited for our turn to visit the catacombs was not an imposition.

And, of course, on this island, as on virtually all the others, there was an old Greek amphitheater.  I have seen Greek amphitheaters from Turkey to Spain and North Africa.  How quickly and pervasively Greek culture spread!  This was the last day of our cruise and of our tour of Greece.  On May 4, 2024, we flew home to Salt Lake City.