THE PULIC LIBRARY OF MILIES
Τhe Public Library of Milies is situated in the village of Milies on Mount Pelion, 26 km from the city of Volos. It is housed in a building erected in 1928 near the village square and the historical church of Aghii Taxiarches, as a result of a donation made by the Miliote Crystallia Ikonomaki, in memory of her husband George. The building was renovated by the Miliote Architect Argyris Philippides and a second floor was added in 1974.
The Library is historically tied to the famous School of Milies, inaugurated in 1815, which is in turn linked with three major scholars: Αnthimos Gazis, Grigorios Konstantas and Daniel Philippides, all born in Milies.
There are today 3.355 books of old print, as well as 116 manuscripts, 1000 loose documents and objects of particular interest belonging to the Milies School.
Besides, the historical section the Library also has a modern lending section comprising approximately 13.000 volumes and periodicals, which is steadily acquiring new books and is being gradually computerized.
The Library has visitors from Greece and abroad all the year round and the Library's is happy to show them around the historical section. Moreover the Library provides services to researchers, historians, professors and students, who wish to make use of the manuscripts and the books of old print.
On sale for the Library's visitors are:
The "Catalogue of the old books of the historical Library of the School of Milies" by Demetra Andritsakii - Fotiadi.
Four - post-card packages referring to the Library.
An illustrated historical brochure of the Library both in Greek and in English.
The aim of the Milies Public Library, which belongs to the Ministry of Education from 1955, is to preserve and promote its historical character while acting as a living cell of the intellectual life of the country at the same time. For the above reasons the Library organizes book exhibitions, presentations of book, as well as activities for school children, for the village's inhabitants and for those of the surrounding region.
CHURCH OF PAMMEGISTOUS TAXIARCHES
The temple is dedicated to "Pammegistous Taxiarches" and also to "Agious Pantes" . It was built during the Ottoman domination, from 1741 to 1774, without a bell-tower and with an external appearance such as would not make it recognisable as an Orthodox Church.
From the entrance of the temple to the first hall, visitors can observe the unique wall-paintings. One can see Saint "Sisois" of the Coptic Church of Egypt set in front of the relics of Saint Alexandros, Saint Christoforos having the appearance of a sheep, the Scales of Justice, Velzevouil at the gate of hell and the Zodiac circle.
The inside temple features wood carving covered with gold leaf, and it depicts animals, flowers and plants. There are also icons, made by several expert icon-makers and all using different techniques.
Inside the church there are two significant innovative constructions. Beneath the floor, a system of channels and wells ensures the impermeability of the floor and the enriching of the bass sounds. In the same way, at the base of the domes, the earthenware jars that are embedded there strengthen the treble sounds and make the whole construction of the roof lighter. These structures result in perfect acoustics inside the building. In 2000, with the permission of the Ministry of Culture, the temple hosted the Festival of Music of Bach, including works of religious music.
The Taxiarches Temple has also a significant history, as on 8th of May, 1821, Anthimos Gazis raised the flag of revolution marking the uprising against Ottoman oppression. This flag is still preserved today and is kept in the Public Libray of Milies, located just above the square. An exact replica of the flag can also be found in the Folklore Museum of Milies.
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