Mandrakia. Mandrakia is a fishing village on the Greek island of Milos, with whitewashed houses with brightly colored doors and gates. It is located approximately four kilometers (2.5 mi) east of capital Plaka and four kilometers (2.5 mi) north of Adamas. It is one of the most photographed villages of Milos. You'll see Mandrakia on many calendars. As with Klima, in the middle of the 19th century the cottages here were residences for the fishermen. Most houses here are hollowed into caves in the rocks where the fishermen placed doors, to protect their boats. These fishermen usually lived in the capital Plaka and had their boat in Mandrakia at the cottage. So the cottages were a safe place for boats and in addition it was a living space and a place to sleep for the fisherman. In the 20th century, however, the function of the cottage changed. Fishermen's cottages became the cottages for the families of the fishermen. Today, these houses are rented to vacationers.
Mandrakia is located in a small, closed bay. When you are visiting Mandrakia, on the right side of town you’ll see the church of Zoodochou Pigi. In the small harbor you will see are all kinds of boats and in the village you’ll find a nice tavern.
Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Edited by Katrina Butzer