Windmills of Mykonos

The windmills of Mykonos are a iconic and well-known symbol of the island. These traditional windmills are located in the town of Chora, also known as Mykonos Town, and are a popular tourist attraction.

The windmills of Mykonos were originally built in the 16th century by the Venetians and were used to grind grain. As the island’s economy shifted towards tourism, the windmills fell into disuse, and many of them have been converted into luxury homes or restaurants.

The windmills’ tops are traditionally made of twelve wooden fan blades each with a triangular-shaped wing made from a very strong fabric—usually the same cotton canvas used for sails in boats.

When the wind blows, the windmill carries the movement to a central axis inside the building, forcing the grindstones below into a rotational movement.

In order to take advantage of the force of that movement at its strongest, the grinding mechanism used to be on the top floor while the flour was gathered on the second floor.

On the Aegean islands, windmills took advantage of the northern wind, called the Meltemi, to grind barley, wheat, and other locally produced cereals.

The windmills of Mykonos are located on a hilltop, providing a great view of the town, the sea and the sunset. Only two of the standing windmills of Mykonos can currently be visited. Geronimo’s Mill, which dates back to 1700, is the oldest windmill on the island, and it produced flour until the 1960s. They are also great spot for photography.