| About Kimolos
Kimolos, is a nice, small unspoiled quiet
island. It is believed that took its name
after chalk (chalk=Kimolia in Greek), which
it once produced. Kimolos was known in antiquity
for the chalk, used as detergent and in medicinal
baths (fuller's earth). But according to a
legend it took its name after its first inhabitant,
Kimolos husband of Side.
Kimolos is in a half an hour
distance from the island of Milos, by sailboat.
The capital of the island is Chorio at the
end of an uphill road, one kilometer long.
Picturesque windmills nad beautiful beaches.
Kimolos
is situated very close to Milos. The island
of Kimolos where the predominant color is
the white. The necropolis found at Ellinika,
in the south west of the island, and the remnants
of the ancient city of Kimolos on the islet
of Agios Andreas are testimony to habitation
as far back as the Mycenean period.
This volcanic, mountainous
island whith white cliffs and roads is a perfect
getaway for those who want some peace and
quiet. It is a popular island amongst the
Greeks, but has not really been discovered
by the foreign tourists yet. It is a genuine,
picturesque island with friendly people and
tiny villages, a few things to see and some
nice beaches.
The name Kimolos comes from
the word for chalk, and it suits, since the
houses are whiter than white. Chalk is an
export product for the island, and the rest
of the islanders live off fishing and to some
extent tourism.
Much later in the Middle
Ages, pirates used the well concealed caves
of Kimolos as places of refuge. In general
terms the history of the island has been that
of Milos.
From the quiet harbor of Psathi a road leads
uphill to the capital of Kimolos or Chora,
where
almost all the islanders live. The houses
in authentic Cycladic style are clustered
around the
nucleus of the castle, which is divided into
two settlements, the Messa Kastro (inner castle)
and
Exo Kastro (outer castle). In the former the
outer walls of the houses form a defensive
wall with loopholes for windows and four entrance
gates.
The overall impression is of a painting in
white against a blue background. Flowers are
grown in
all the courtyards and the alleyways are cobbled.Prassa
in the north of the island is where the chalk
is mined.
In general the island has superb beaches and
would be an ideal spot for those who are fond
of quiet and solitude in an idyllic setting.
How to get there? By
ferry from Piraeus or by caique from Milos
(Apolonia)
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