Κατακόμβες Μήλου

Catacombs of Milos

Useful Information

Location:	Milos Island. Near Mílos, about 1 km south of Pláka. (36.7373138, 24.4236930)
Open:	All year Mon, Wed-Sun, Hol 9-18:45. [2024]
Fee:	Adults EUR 4, Seniors (65+) EUR 2, EU Students free. [2024]
Classification:	Catacomb
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	A=150 m asl, L=183 m, W=1-5 m, H=1.79-2.50 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	The Catacombs of Milos, Trypiti, Milos 84800, Tel: +30-22870-21625. Municipal Tourist Info, Milos 84800, Tel: +30-22870-22445.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1st century	catacombs built.
5th century	entrance destroyed by an earthquake.
1840	rediscovered accidentally.
1843	excavated by Professor Ludwig Ross.

Description

During the Roman times, Milos was a peaceful and flourishing centre for commerce and the arts. The Roman Theatre made of marble was built during this period, and at the same time Christianity reached the island and spread rapidly. During the 1st century AD the Milians chiseled these catacombs out of the living rock. They are claimed to be the only ones of its kind in Greece and out of 75 similar catacombs, worldwide they are said to rival those of Paris and Rome. The entrance to the catacombs was destroyed in the 5th century BC, after a terrible earthquake, but it was accidentally rediscovered in 1840.

Description

From an inconspicuous entrance at the side of the road, some steps lead to a maze of passage, some as narrow as 90 cm but in other places are 5 m wide. Height varies from 1.70 m to 2.50 m. Some 291 graves have been recorded making a total of 8000 bodies which have been buried in these tomb lined corridors stretching some 200 m into the soft volcanic rock.

Everybody who has studied these catacombs has come to the same conclusion that there is another section that is still unknown and undiscovered. Today only one part of one gallery is open to the visitors, which is known as "That of the Elders". Only the first 50 m are illuminated.

Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.

The Κατακόμβες Μήλου (Catacombs of Milos) are located at the village Trypiti on Milos Island. Hence, they are also known as Κατακόμβες Τρυπητής (Katakomves Trypitis, Catacombs of Trypiti). Actually we had them listed under this name until recently, but we changed the name because they are officially named Catacombs of Milos by the operator. In other words, all road signs, tourist brochures and their own website uses this name. As Tony Oldham mentioned they are proud that these are the only catacombs in Greece. So they did not hesitate to reserve the domain catacombs.gr.

The site is well maintained and quite interesting, unfortunately the part which is open to the public is very small, and so the visit is rather short, more or less only the very first section.