The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2024 - Issue 36

bitetravel Scorpios Bazaar celebrates artisanship through a handpicked selection of like-minded brands that share and honour core values of timeless craftsmanship, cultural heritage and sus- tainability. It’s set in a sizeable bedouin tent to match the free and easy spirit of the Scorpios peninsula; the Mykonos Bazaar lures you in with its earthy colours and textures and unfolds a reverential retail experience centred around organic materials and the world’s ancient creative traditions. Beyond the beaches are several visit-worthy places in Mykonos, like the Armenistis Lighthouse located in the Cape Armenistis area on the northwestern part of the island. The old lighthouse, built in 1891 and standing at 19 metres, hon- ours the island’s maritime past and is like a sentinel over the region. Today, it is managed by the Hellenic Navy’s Hydro- graphic Office. At the top, it provides panoramic views of the neighbouring islands of Tinos and Syros. After the British steamship, Volta sank in 1887 off the north coast of the island, killing eleven people, construction of the lighthouse began to avoid further tragedies. French company Sauter Lemonier designed the initial light guiding incoming ships and received an award at the International Exhibition in Paris. It was replaced by electrical equipment in 1983. Visitors can view the original lighting in the Aegean Maritime Muse- um’s courtyard in the centre of Mykonos Town. The beautiful, distinctive Church of Panagia Paraportiani in Kastro overlooking the Aegean Sea impresses with its white plasticity and unique shape. It is one of the most photo- graphed churches on the island. Its name means ‘Our Lady of the Side Gate’ as its entrance is at the side gate of the Kastro neighbourhood. Saint Efstathios is the central church on the ground level, surrounded by Saint Anastasia, Saint Sozon, and Saint Anargyros, forming the foundation of Panagia Parapor- tiani. First constructed in 1425, the churches in Byzantine, vernac- ular, traditional, and Western architectural styles were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Church of Panagia Parapor- tiani is notable for its almost non-existent external decoration and the low, large dome merging with the church roof. It is said that during the Middle Ages, a vast fortified tower stood above one of the entrances of the castle that was once there. Mykonos Castle, or the Venetian Castle of Chora, is next to the church, set on a hill with a panoramic sea view. It protect- ed the residents inside its grounds from pirates and other at- tackers with reinforced stone walls and a defensive turret until the 17th century. The remains are barely visible, but it’s a great place with picturesque whitewashed alleys and narrow streets. The Folklore Museum, close to the church, houses a collection of paintings, ceramics, lithographs, and old tools. In Ano Mera, 8 km from town, stands the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Two monks of the Panagia Ekatontapyliani monastery of Paro established it in 1542 who wanted to ded- icate a church to the Assumption/Presentation of the Virgin Mary. The monastery was restored in 1767 and renamed to translate as the Virgin Mary of Tourlos after an icon of the bib- lical figure was found in nearby Tourios. The icon is celebrated as the patroness of Mykonos on 15 August. Visitors will be impressed by its whitewashed exterior and red-coloured dome. The marble facade of the main church