The catacombs are located near the village of Tripiti. In 2009 the Holy Synod proclaimed Milos as a sacred island as the Catacombs are the oldest monument of Christianity: the first place for the gathering of the first Christians and the first community cemetery in the late 2nd century. Together with the Catacombs of Rome and the Holy Land, the Catacombs of Milos are among the most remarkable monuments of the world.
The complex consists of three underground passages inside volcanic rock, five aisles and a rectangular burial chamber in the form of the cubicula of the Roman Catacombs. All catacombs have different width (1 to 5 meters) and height (1.60 to 2.50 meters). Their total length is 185 meters and on the walls you can see the 126 “arkosolia”, the carved arched tombs.
The entrance to the burial chamber and the passageways that currently connect the three initially independent catacombs, are all additions of the 20th century. Today you can only visit Arcade B (also known as the Catacomb of Elders). On the right side of this catacomb you can see the only two-storey tomb of the Catacombs. In the center there is a rock, probably the tombstone of one of the first bishops of Milos, which was also used as a High Altar by the first Christians.
Catacombs A and C are not open for visits. Catacomb A is very wide with a spacious burial chamber and double family tombs carved in the walls. Catacomb C has almost been destroyed but its remarkable first Christian murals have been successfully preserved.
Open hours
- Tuesday - Saturday, 08:30-18:30
- Sunday, 08:30-15:00
