Milos is the largest island in Cyclades and famous for its magnificent beaches. The civilization of Milos is considered to be as important as that of Crete and it spans 5000 years, with the Phoenicians being its first inhabitants. The island is famous around the world for the statue of Aphrodite, Venus de Milo, housed today at the Louvre museum in Paris. The visitor in Milos will be impressed by the picturesque towns of Adamas, Apollonia and Plaka, which is also the capital city of the island. From the castle of Plaka (Hora) the view at sunset is breathtaking, while only two kilometers away lies perhaps the island's most impressive monument, Milos catacombs. Plaka is the capital of Milos and is built at the foot of Kastro. It owes its name to the wide spot (plaka), on which the first buildings were constructed. According to one view, the villagers chose this name in honour of the toponymy, where the Milian hero, Andreas Miliotis, was hung by the Turks in Crete. Most of the island's public services, like the high school, the Lyceum and the Medical Centre, are in town. Some of the most significant sights in Plaka are the church of Panagia Korfiatissa (19th c.) and the church of Panagia Thalassitra, which is built a few metres before the remains of the castle and has old icons and an excellent wood-carved screen. And finally, there is the church of Panagia Schiniotissa, or Mesa Panagia, which is built inside the castle. What remains from that castle itself, built by the Venetians in the 13th century, is but a few remnants.