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 he windmills constitue one of the symbols of the island. From wherever you are, you can see their silhouette, either on the heights above Chora or on the level area near Alevkantra. These important structures for the grinding of agricultural products numbered 16 in the past and were all in operation. Pure-white, circular, with a conical wooden roof, they sprang to life with the wind that blew (and still does) 200 to 300 days a year. |
| The Upper Mills of Chora and all the rest that operated in other parts of the island (mainly at Ano Meria) served the residents of their local area and the countryside, while the Lower Mills of Chora (of which there were more) were, according to tradition, mainly involved with the grinding of grain for areas outside the island. | |
 t was forbidden to build near a mill and or quite a distance around it because it hinderred its smooth operation and there was a danger from the unbalanced and unequal pressure of the wind on certain one-piece sails, that the yards would break and the whole rotating mechanism would be destroyed.Today, of course, they are no longer used for grinding, but their position and importance remains. A few have been restored and operate as museums, such as the Bonis mill. Others have been renovated and are used as dwellings. |
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