The Windmill Kimolos Hotel is on the tiny volcanic island of Kimolos and is one of the few traditionally restored windmills in Greece. The inside has been renovated with modern amenities, keeping its classic design and stunning location next to the Aegean Sea. It is located between the port of Kimolos and the village “Chorio”. The windmill lets you live the authentic experience of Kimolos, a truly unspoiled location.
History of the Kimolos Windmill Hotel
The windmill of Kimolos was first built in 1852 and operated normally for many years. After two years, two flats were built inside and farm animals lived inside. To stand up to the strong winds in Kimolos, (also known as the “Meltemi”), the walls were at least 1.40 meters thick. The windmill operated until 1930, and was known by many locals as “O Mylos tou Giatrou” or “The Doctors’ Windmill” because for two generations, a family of doctors lived there. Later, the Windmill was renovated in order to keep the authentic style, which is now seen in the result today.
Staying at the Windmill
The windmill has five unique rooms, all recently restored and renovated. You can also buyout the entire property if you want. More information is available on the website of The Windmill Kimolos – Aria Hotels Group.
About Kimolos
Kimolos is a small island in the Cycladic island group, with about 600 residents. Most of them live in Chorio. Some of the smaller settlements include Psathi (port), Goupa, Kara, Prassa, Aliki, Bonatsa and Dekas. Definitely worth visiting are the Archaeological Museum and the Folklore Museum. Kimolos is also famous for its beaches and for its local cheese and vegetable pies.
The name of Kimolos comes from its unique soil, which is a result of the volcanic eruption that created the island. The island used to be known for chalk mining, which gives the island its name. (“Kimolia” translates to “chalk” in Greek). When the Venetians first visited the island, they called it “Arzantiera” or “Silvery” because of the color of the rocks.
Getting to Kimolos
The island of Kimolos is 87 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus, and can be reached with a variety of ships. Depending on the ship, it takes about 5 hours. The closest island is Milos, which can be reached by boat in about 30 minutes. This is a good option for those who get seasick easily, since the island of Milos has an airport.
Walking Trails in Kimolos
Kimolos island is also known for its many walking trails, which lead to every part of the island. One popular place to walk to is Skiadi, a giant stone which looks like a mushroom. These parths were made a long time ago by residents in an effort to explore all the land they could. You can get to every beach and to the highest peak, Paleokastro, on these paths. Walking around the island, instead of driving, will help you get to know the plants and animals.
Polyaigos Day Trip
One popular day trip from Kimolos is to visit the nearby island of Polyaigos. The name of the island translates to “many goats” and is uninhabited – in fact, it is the largest Aegean island without residents.
Windmills in the Cycladic Islands
Windmills are found in the rest of the Cycladic islands and are made of stone. The sail is made from cotton fabric. Greeks used the same technique for ship’s sails. When the sails of the windmill turned, the grinding stone turned, and grain was crushed into flour. The mills could work all day and night, so they could take advantage of the Meltemi Winds that blow through the Cyclades.
Villagers used to take their crops to the mill, and the mill man kept 10% of the product as payment. Building a windmill in the Cyclades was not easy. The exact position was important. They needed to face the northerly Meltemi winds and often were built like lighthouses at the end of capes. They also needed to be close to villages so that the villagers could easily access the windmills.
