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Home > Attività Isole > milos > The Catacombs of Milos

The Catacombs of Milos

Milos islanddespite being small in size and famous for its extraordinary beautyso as to make it conquer the third place as the most beautiful island in the world, has many treasures to be discovered such as its ancient catacombs a real treasure trove of memories archaeological.

They are considered thesecond most important early Christian find on the globe dating backto the 1st 5th century, it is even hypothesized that they are evenmore remote than the Roman ones and the Holy Land. Certainly the mostprestigious in all of Greece even if what is still visible is only asmall part of the large necropolis discovered at the foot of theTrypiti village not far from the Milos ancient agora. Trypitiwhose meaning (made of holes) is linked to the presence of naturalcaves in the volcanic rock used in modern times as warehouses by theislanders while in antiquity they were simple burial places. Thecatacombs were built by Christians as a shelter and protection duringthe attacks of the Romans and where loved ones were buried as well asplaces of worship and prayer for the deceased.

Excavations began in1843 by Professor Ludwing Ross, a German epigraphist andarchaeologist who devoted most of his life to archaeological researchin Greece, but arrived late at this extraordinary site as it hadalready been plundered by grave robbers. To date it has been possibleto discover and excavate only three sections with a total length of183 meters with more passages and according to the findings, morethan 2000 Christians were buried in the 291 floor tombs and arcosolia(https://it.wikipedia .org/wiki/Arcosolio) present in the catacombs.An intertwining of labyrinthine undergrounds with tufa wallsskilfully dug by strongly religious and motivated people with simplewalkways to facilitate the journey. According to scholars, theChristians present on the island of Milos were previously Jews whoconverted with the St. Paul arrival who was shipwrecked in Miloswhile he was on his way from Athens to Crete.

Nowadays, access islimited to the main chamber in segment B, the Chamber of Presbytersand the main chamber in segment A as well as a small part of thenorth-west passage. The inscriptions on the walls are prestigious,including the Christ Monogram and the ecumenical symbol ΙΧΘΥΣ,the riverbeds used as lamps and gifts in honor of the dead andfinally a couple of children’s graves. There are 126 arcosolia withdifferent dimensions ranging from 1 to 5 meters in width for a heightthat varies from one and a half to two and a half meters. It shouldbe emphasized that in the Presveriton catacomb in section B you canadmire a tomb carved into the rock which resembles a sarcophaguswhere one of the first Christian martyrs is thought to have beenburied and which was also used as an altar for religiouscelebrations. The catacombs were used until the destruction of theKlima ancient city following violent earthquakes.

The introductoryindications at the entrance with interesting historical notions andexemplary images are very useful.

The Catacombs can be visited on thefollowing days and times:

Monday – Sunday:

9.00-18.45

Tuesday closed day

How to get to the Milos Catacombs

Keeping the capitalAdamas as a point of reference, just take the road that leads northto the Trypiti village and follow the signs.

A unique experiencewith a descent into the heart of the earth where you will becaptivated by great suggestions and you can imagine being in adifferent era, definitely a visit to be included in the things to see in Milos.

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