Greece Trip #16 - Milos Catacombs and a Septic Surprise

Today's blog is about a challenging revelation that was completely unexpected and a cool trip to some catacombs on the island of Milos, Greece. 

WHAT ARE THE CATACOMBS? There are catacombs near the modern settlement of Trypiti, next to the site of the agora of the ancient city of Melos and 200 meters to the east of an ancient theatre, which we will explore in the next blog.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CATACOMBS? The Catacombs of Milos are considered to be the most important early Christian monument of worship and burial site in all of Greece. ... The complex fills a rectangular burial chamber in the form of the cubicula of the Catacombs of Rome.

(Photo Right: The entry and exit from the catacombs. Credit: RG)

ABOUT THE CATACOMBS  - These catacombs were found in 1844 and it is estimated that they were built towards the end of the 1st century. They were used as Christian cemeteries during Roman times. The catacombs are three in total and they are found underground. The hallways are typically about 200 meters in length with 5 to 7 carved graves on each side of the hallway. Each vault or grave was lighted by an oil lamp. The oil lamps have now been replaced with more modern electrical lights. 

(Photo: One of the graves within the catacombs. Credit: T.W.)

The graves for the more important people of that time have Christian symbols and epitaphs on them. Archaeologists have studied these graves in the past. Their research was deterred by the fact that most graves have been destroyed by exposure to natural elements.

(Photo: Each carved "hole" lit up by a light was the location of where a body was placed. Credit: R.G.).

BURYING AND CHURCH WORSHIP - According to Greeka.com, the graves are mostly decorated with natural jewels and pictures. These catacombs were not just places to bury the dead. They were also used as Christian churches during the time when Romans were persecuting Christians. 

RESIDUAL ENERGY - As you can imagine, there was a lot of emotion in these catacombs, and because I'm sensitive to it, I immediately got a very heavy, depressed feeling, especially toward the back of the catacombs. I also got the sense that that was where the religious services were held.  

SEPTIC SURPRISE - When we arrived at the beautiful hotel in Milos, one of the things the group was instructed not to do, was to put toilet paper in the toilet. Seriously. Look it up on Google. "All apartments in Corfu usually warn customers not to put toilet paper down the toilet." I was pretty horrified. I thought - "We are paying to stay at a beautiful hotel, and can't flush toilet paper." The response was "put the used paper in the trash can and open the bathroom window." Gross. Such is the way on all of the Greek Islands that we toured. That whisked my desire to return right out the window like an unwanted odor. Now, onto better things.

(Photo: A typical sign in the bathrooms on the Greek Islands.) 

NEXT: The Ancient Amphitheater