The Catacombs of Milos

Milos island despite being small in size and famous for its extraordinary beauty so 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 the second most important early Christian find on the globe dating back to the 1st 5th century, it is even hypothesized that they are even more remote than the Roman ones and the Holy Land. Certainly the most prestigious in all of Greece even if what is still visible is only a small part of the large necropolis discovered at the foot of the Trypiti village not far from the Milos ancient agora. Trypiti whose meaning (made of holes) is linked to the presence of natural caves in the volcanic rock used in modern times as warehouses by the islanders while in antiquity they were simple burial places. The catacombs were built by Christians as a shelter and protection during the attacks of the Romans and where loved ones were buried as well as places of worship and prayer for the deceased.

Excavations began in 1843 by Professor Ludwing Ross, a German epigraphist and archaeologist who devoted most of his life to archaeological research in Greece, but arrived late at this extraordinary site as it had already been plundered by grave robbers. To date it has been possible to discover and excavate only three sections with a total length of 183 meters with more passages and according to the findings, more than 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 walls skilfully dug by strongly religious and motivated people with simple walkways to facilitate the journey. According to scholars, the Christians present on the island of Milos were previously Jews who converted with the St. Paul arrival who was shipwrecked in Milos while he was on his way from Athens to Crete.

Nowadays, access is limited to the main chamber in segment B, the Chamber of Presbyters and the main chamber in segment A as well as a small part of the north-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 and finally a couple of children's graves. There are 126 arcosolia with different dimensions ranging from 1 to 5 meters in width for a height that varies from one and a half to two and a half meters. It should be emphasized that in the Presveriton catacomb in section B you can admire a tomb carved into the rock which resembles a sarcophagus where one of the first Christian martyrs is thought to have been buried and which was also used as an altar for religious celebrations. The catacombs were used until the destruction of theKlima ancient city following violent earthquakes.

The introductory indications at the entrance with interesting historical notions and exemplary images are very useful.

The Catacombs can be visited on the following days and times:

Monday – Sunday:

9.00-18.45

Tuesday closed day