Greek islands are one of my favourite destinations for the summer vacations. In the past few years, my familly and I, we have visited many islands and my friends often ask me for advice. Whenever I say that the island that impressed me the most with its tradition and pristine atmosphere, was Chios, the reaction is always Chi….what??
The island lies in the north-eastern part of the Aegean Sea, looking towards the coast of Turkey. It is located between the islands of Lesbos and Samos, just 6 km from the Turkish coast. Chios city has been the capital throughout its history and is home to more than half of its population. There are around 70 villages on the island. The coastline is 213 km long and consists of numerous bays and sandy and pebbly beaches. The island is narrow and long in shape, which is why it used to be called Makri, which translates as long.
Chios is the island of a thousand fragrances. An extraordinary combination of mastic, jasmine, orange blossom, ...It is also an island of stone mansions, unique medieval villages, and turrets. It is an island with an extremely rich history, a crossroads of great civilisations and an important trading post. It was home to many scholars such as Homer, Korais, Vamvas, Psycharis, Mavrokordatos, Theotokos, Roidis, Porphyras and others.
Its natural environment is relatively clean and unspoilt, its climate mild and its sea crystal clear. The inhabitants are good-hearted, optimistic, and friendly. In addition to the beautiful beaches, the island offers authentic traditions and culture. The island charmed me with its authenticity, colours, and comfortable life.
The island is covered with mastic trees, but the southern part of the island is the only place in the world where the mastic tree can produce mastic resin.
The mastic is a plant that gives the flora of Chios a special significance. It is a small tree, like a shrub, with outstretched branches, with a light or slightly darker trunk (depending on the age of the tree). The tree starts producing mastic at the age of 5 or 6 years. This natural product has many uses: in the form of a medicine or chewing gum, it is known in medicine because it is thought to absorb cholesterol, have antibacterial properties, act as an oral antiseptic, aid digestion, harden gums, heal wounds and help treat stomach ulcers. Mastika liqueur is also produced from mastic. Mastic is used for culinary purposes in baking desserts and making ice cream. In its more processed form, it is used as an ingredient in toothpastes, shampoos, perfumes, incense, polishes, varnishes, and in the manufacture of high-quality furniture and musical instruments.
The legend says that the young Greek god Helios descended to earth and visited the island of Chios. There he met a young, beautiful girl and fell in love with her. However, the young and beautiful girl rejected him because she was in love with another man, a prince from the island of Lesbos. And although the young god Helios was kind, strong and beautiful, she left the island and married her prince. The young god was very sad, and to console himself, he wandered around the island. In the south of the island, he began to cray, and he was crying for such a long time that he ran out of tears. Where tears fell on the soil, special green trees grew. The trees are Mastic trees, that are still crying today and producing mastic resin.
You can easily spot the trees of mastic in the summer months, since the soil around the tress is cleaned and covered with white powder containing calcium carbonate, to safeguard that mastic which may fall on the ground can be easily picked up.
The labyrinth town of Mesta
The village lies 35 km south-west of the capital, and is a well-preserved village fortress dating from Byzantine times on the island. It lies in a small, bare valley, away from the sea. The houses are grey in colour, with their doors and windows facing just inside the walls. The outer side of the houses are close together, connected with small towers, and have only a few main doors to the town. In the centre of the town there is a defensive tower, where the inhabitants found refuge in the event of an attack.
The black and white ornaments of Pyrgi
This is one of the most attractive villages I’ve ever visited in Greece. The black and white geometrical decorations on the facades (called xista) captured my attention at first, but then I’ve discovered how lively the town is.
It was very nice to walk along the streets admiring the houses, but at the same time interact with locals and stop for a snack or drink at a local shop.
This medieval village was built as a fortress and is perfectly conserved. Xysta" (scratches) are a unique form of decorating the facades and are made of various black and white shapes. The pattern starts from the middle of the house doors and extends up, and covers the majority of the house. The red small tomato chains are making the facades even more attractive.
The town has several churches, we visited The Church of the Holy Apostles.
Mosaics at Nea Moni monastery
The Monastery of Nea Moni is one of the oldest monasteries in Greece and is located in the centre of Chios island. Dating from the 11th century it was a very powerful monastery back in the 17th century with 800 monks. Today there are only a few monks at the monastery that was listed on the UNESCO heritage list in 1990. The big monastery complex consists of the main church, the cells, a small chapel and it is surrounded by walls. It is particularly known for its frescoes.
The abandoned village Anavatos
Built on top of a hill at the altitude of 450 meters above sea level. The rocky houses are almost one with the surroundings, and from a distance look like one with the hill. Historians believe that this settlement was built for military purposes. After the catastrophic earthquake of 1881 the village was abandoned. Today is a nice tourist location as well, you can home-made products and refresh in a charming and traditional coffee shop.
Windmills of Chios
The windmills are located 1 km north of the capital. The beautiful windmills were built around the end of the 19th century, after the devastating earthquake of 1881. They were primarily used to mill wheat. They are about 10 metres high. Today, they are a monument of great historical value, attracting many tourists during their visit to the island.
Picturesque Volissos
The ruins of Byzantine castles are overlooking the picturesque hilltop village of Volissos. The interesting thing about the castle is that it was connected to the cost with a tunnel.
I can’t finish this post without mentioning the beaches. As on all Greek island also on Chios you will find numerous dream locations😊. Just to enumerate few…
The Mavra Volia – in 2017 it was nominated as the most beautiful beach in Greece. Characterized by its pitch-black pebbles that are a result of a volcanic eruption a while ago.
Didima beach – great beach, far away from the crowds.
Lithi beach - wonderful beach located in a cove, on the western coast, with soft sand and mirror-like waters.
Chios is one of those locations, that was not on my Bucket list, I just visited it »by coincidence«, but I've added it later on and I hope I will be able to visit it again.
Thanks for reading,
feel free to leave a comment, I will be glad to reply to.
Best regards, @miljo76
