Tria Pigadia, the Three Wells, are three identical wells built in 1722 in the heart of Mykonos Town, once the town’s chief supply of fresh water for over two centuries and now a charming, photogenic landmark wrapped in romantic local legends. This guide covers the history, the legends, the setting and how to visit.
The Three Wells are a small but characterful sight in the Mykonos travel guide, tucked among the old town’s lanes. The sections below cover them in full.
What is Tria Pigadia in Mykonos?
Tria Pigadia, meaning Three Wells, are three identical, simple stone wells standing in a row in the heart of Mykonos Town. Built in 1722, they supplied the town with fresh water for more than two centuries, until, and today they stand as a charming, photogenic historic landmark in the old town, surrounded by boutiques and cafes.
Tria Pigadia, which translates as the Three Wells, is one of the most charming small landmarks in Mykonos Town, tucked among the whitewashed lanes of the old town, the Chora. As the name suggests, it consists of three identical wells standing together in a row, simple, short, rounded stone structures that look almost alike, each as elegant in its plainness as the next. Built in 1722, for centuries they were the lifeblood of the town, its chief supply of fresh water. Carved into shallow, sandy ground where water was easily reached, they are only about five to six metres deep, more scoop than deep well. Today, no longer used for water, they survive as a beloved historic monument and a popular photo spot, set in a lively square surrounded by boutiques and cafes, a reminder of old Mykonos amid the modern bustle. Small but full of character and history, they are a lovely stop on a wander through the town, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos Town. Their history is central to the town.
What is the history of the Three Wells?
The Three Wells were built in 1722 and served as the main water source for Mykonos Town for over two centuries, until, when modern plumbing arrived. Built into shallow, sandy ground where water was easily accessible and only about five to six metres deep, they were vital to daily life in the old town.
The history of Tria Pigadia is tied to the everyday life and survival of old Mykonos Town, making them more significant than their modest appearance suggests. Constructed in 1722, the three wells were dug into shallow, sandy ground in a spot where fresh water could be reached easily, which is why they are relatively shallow at only about five to six metres deep, functioning more as scoops than deep draw-wells. For more than two centuries, from their construction until, they supplied the townspeople with their fresh water, who would come to draw water for drinking, cooking, washing and daily needs, making them a vital communal resource and a hub of daily life in the days before running water. The arrival of modern plumbing ended their working role, but rather than being removed, they were preserved as a cherished monument to the town’s past. Their long service as the town’s water supply gives them real historical importance, set out alongside the guides to the Folklore Museum and things to do. They also carry romantic legends.
What legends surround the Three Wells?
Romantic legends surround the Three Wells. The most famous holds that if a virgin drinks from all three wells she will find a husband, while a man who drinks from them will marry a Mykonian woman. Other tales say that whoever drinks from the wells will marry soon, or fall for Mykonos and never wish to leave.
Part of the charm of Tria Pigadia is the romantic folklore that has grown up around them over the centuries, adding a layer of legend to the simple wells. The best-known tradition holds that if a young unmarried woman, a virgin, drinks water from all three of the wells, she will soon find a husband, while a man who drinks from them is destined to marry a Mykonian woman, a charming local twist on the universal hope for love and marriage. Other versions hold that whoever drinks from the wells will soon marry, or, in a tale beloved of visitors, that drinking from them guarantees you will fall in love with Mykonos itself and never want to leave the island. While the wells are no longer used and drinking from them is not really practical or advisable today, these affectionate legends are part of what makes them a memorable and beloved spot, giving the modest monument a romantic, storied appeal that delights visitors. The legends add to their charm, set out alongside the guide to Petros the Pelican. Visiting is easy and central.
How do you visit the Three Wells?
The Three Wells stand in the Tria Pigadia square in the heart of Mykonos Town, easily reached on foot while exploring the old town, near the museums and Matoyianni Street. There is no entry fee, and you can see and photograph them any time. They make a quick, charming stop on a town wander.
Visiting Tria Pigadia is simple and free, as the wells stand right in the heart of Mykonos Town in the square that bears their name, the Tria Pigadia area, surrounded by boutiques and cafes. Because the old town, the Chora, is compact and pedestrianised, you reach the wells easily on foot while wandering the whitewashed lanes, and they sit close to other sights such as the Aegean Maritime Museum, the Folklore Museum, the famous Matoyianni shopping street and Little Venice, so they slot naturally into a stroll around town. There is no entry fee and no need to book, and you can see and photograph the three charming wells at any time of day; they make a popular photo spot thanks to their simple, elegant rows against the whitewashed backdrop. A visit takes only a few minutes, so the wells are best enjoyed as a quick, characterful stop while exploring the old town rather than a destination in themselves. Combining them with the nearby museums, shopping and lanes makes a lovely town walk, set out alongside the guides to Matoyianni Street and a Mykonos itinerary. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Why are the Three Wells worth visiting?
The Three Wells are worth a quick visit for their history as the town’s centuries-old water source, their charming, photogenic simplicity, and the romantic local legends about love and marriage attached to them. Free and central, they add a touch of old Mykonos and folklore to a wander through the town.
While the Three Wells are a modest, small monument rather than a major attraction, they are well worth a brief stop for several reasons. Historically, they tell a real story of old Mykonos, having supplied the town with fresh water for more than two centuries, from 1722 to, so they connect you to the daily life of the island before modern plumbing, a tangible link to its past amid the modern shops and cafes. Visually, the three identical, simple stone wells standing in a row against the whitewashed backdrop are genuinely charming and photogenic, making a lovely, characterful photo. And culturally, the romantic legends attached to them, that a young woman who drinks from all three will find a husband, or that drinking guarantees you will fall in love with Mykonos and never leave, add a delightful touch of folklore and fun. Because they are free, central and take only a few minutes to see, they are an easy and rewarding addition to a stroll through the old town, giving a small but memorable taste of old Mykonos and its stories, set out alongside the guide to things to do. They reward a quick, curious stop.
What else is nearby in the old town?
The Three Wells sit in the heart of Mykonos Town near many other sights: the Aegean Maritime and Folklore Museums, the famous Matoyianni shopping street, the windmills, Little Venice and the Paraportiani church are all a short walk away, so the wells slot easily into a wider wander through the Chora.
One of the joys of visiting the Three Wells is that they sit right in the heart of the compact, walkable old town, surrounded by many of Mykonos’s best sights, so they fit naturally into a wider exploration of the Chora. Within a short walk you can reach the Aegean Maritime Museum and the Folklore Museum for a taste of the island’s seafaring and traditional heritage, the famous Matoyianni shopping street lined with boutiques, jewellers and cafes, and the iconic row of windmills overlooking the sea. The romantic waterfront houses of Little Venice, a prime spot for a sunset cocktail, and the sculptural white Paraportiani church in the Kastro quarter are also close by, as is the Old Port with its boats and the chance to spot Petros the Pelican. Because everything is so close together in the pedestrianised old town, you can easily combine the Three Wells with these sights, the shops and the cafes into a relaxed half-day or evening wandering the lanes. This central position makes the wells a convenient, charming stop on a town walk rather than a separate trip, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos Town and Little Venice. Tucked among the boutiques and cafes, the three simple wells make a charming, quick stop that, combined with the nearby museums, the windmills, Little Venice and the famous lanes, adds a touch of old Mykonos, history and folklore to a relaxed exploration of the beautiful, walkable Chora. The old town rewards an unhurried wander.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tria Pigadia in Mykonos?
Tria Pigadia, meaning Three Wells, are three identical stone wells in the heart of Mykonos Town. Built in 1722, they supplied the town with fresh water for more than two centuries, until, and today they stand as a charming, photogenic historic landmark surrounded by boutiques and cafes.
What is the legend of the Three Wells?
The most famous legend holds that if a virgin drinks from all three wells she will find a husband, while a man who drinks from them will marry a Mykonian woman. Other tales say that whoever drinks from the wells will marry soon, or fall for Mykonos and never wish to leave.
Where are the Three Wells in Mykonos?
The Three Wells stand in the Tria Pigadia square in the heart of Mykonos Town, easily reached on foot while exploring the old town, near the museums and Matoyianni Street. There is no entry fee, and you can see and photograph them any time as a quick, charming stop on a town wander.