History
In the wealth of ancient Greek mythology there are two references to Mykonos. The first tells us that the island took its name from the hero Mykonos and the other that it was on Mykonos that Hercules slew the Giants and that the large rocks which lie scattered about the island are their petrified corpses in antiquity, the greatest growth of this island was noted in the historical years during which there were two important cities, Mykonos and Panormos.
During the period between World War I and World War II, tourism made its first appearance. From the mid-50s on the island has been gradually transformed into an important tourist, cosmopolitan and artistic centre. The Venetians conquered Mykonos in 1207 and by Turks in 1537 Mykono's fleet energetically took part in the 1821 Revolution in which the figure of Manto Mavrogenous stood out. In October 1822, the Turks undertook a landing on the island, but the Mykonians under their heroic woman leader, Manto Mavroyenous, successfully repulsed it.
After liberation (1830) Mykonos managed to re-establish its commercial fleet but the coming dominance of the steamship resulted in the gradual constriction of their shipping activities by the end of the 18th century.
