Milos Catacombs

Location: Tripiti

Catacombs in Milos: One of the most important archaeological findings of Milos is the famous catacombs. They were discovered in 1844 and are estimated to be built towards the end of the 1st century AD, used as Christian cemeteries during Roman times.

They are three in total and they are found underground. They are interconnected as they have hallways that decrease in height as you reach the death chamber.
The hallways are typically about 200 meters in length with 5 to 7 carved graves on each side of the hallway.

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These catacombs lie southwest of the village of Tripiti. They are situated 150 meters above sea level and you have to walk up a steep hill to get to them. These catacombs were not easy to build, as the Christians had to dig them out of volcanic rock. Christians built the catacombs there since it seemed to be a good location to hide from their Roman persecutors.

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Top Tours and activities

• Best of Milos by Bus

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  Enjoy a comprehensive overview of the local culture and history on Milos Island. Visit an ancient theater, the catacombs, the archaeological museum, a dairy farm, and a winery. Admire picturesque views of the Aegean Sea and colorful fishing villages.

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More info about the catacombs

Originally, the catacombs were meant to bury the dead. This stemmed from the fact that Christians believe that there is a possibility that like Jesus Christ, you could come back from the dead. A grave is supposed to be a place to preserve your body until you come back to life. They also did not think that Romans would pay proper respect to a dead person of a group that they hated and persecuted.
About 300 graves can be found in these catacombs. Each grave was not meant for one person. On the contrary, many dead people were put in one grave. The number of dead people in these catacombs could be as high as 8000 people. Many people believe that there is another section that has not been discovered yet.
However, the catacombs didn't only function as tombs for the dead but were also used as churches during the time when Romans were persecuting Christians.

The catacombs are full of labyrinths so that the Romans could get lost in them. This was a way to protect the bodies from their enemies. They are connected by three corridors and a dead hallway. The graves are located in vaults and the last count revealed 126 vaults. Archaeologists are of the opinion that thousands of early Christians were buried here. Each vault or grave was lighted by an oil lamp. The oil lamps have now been replaced with more modern electrical lights. The graves of the more important people of that time have Christian symbols and epitaphs on them. Archaeologists' research was deterred by the fact that most graves have been destroyed by exposure to natural elements.

The result is regarded as a prime example of an early Christian monument.
There would have been more information about the inscriptions if humidity had not eroded them. Pirates, locals, conquerors, and travelers did not help by repeatedly stealing stuff from these catacombs. They almost took the tombstones as well.

Today, you cannot visit all of the catacombs but can take a tour around the arcades.