Location information

Kambochora Community

CHALKIO (Village) CHIOS
  Halkios is on the Southeast part of our beautiful island and in the middle of Kambochora, about eight and a half kilometers away from the town of Chios with which it communicates with contemporary transport means. It's the center of the Municipality after the joining of six colonizing, which means that from the East it is near Vassileoniko, from the West it is adjacent with Ververato, from the South with Vavili and Neochori, from the North with the mountain Korakari and from the Southwest with Zifia. On your way up to Aghios Georgios, your sight lies beyond Halkios to Kambochora, Thimiana, Tholopotami, and Aghios Georgios Sikousi.
  The village Halkios is the biggest of all the villages in the Municipality. It has a population of 906 citizens (1991 census) and the cultivating land covers 3,9 square kilometers, without the big extents of pasture-ground of Korakari, Misovouno and Mili.
  Halkios was always characterized as "Kefalochori". This means that it was a rich and big village, with a rich agricultural production of cereals, citrus fruits, crops, olive oil, gardening products, almonds, and the famous beans from Halkios. In the old days there was also a production of wine and tobacco, but not anymore.
  The Town Hall is in the center of the Municipality of Kambochora and it is located on the main external road of Halkios. The Municipal School Center is on the main external road of Halkios at the place of the old Fliskion School for Girls and it is a five-teacher-school. Apart from the students from Ververato and Vavili, that have their own single-teacher schools, some students from other colonizing of the Municipality also study in this school. Besides, the Nursery School of Kampochora is located in Halkios.

Chios City

CHIOS (Town) NORTH AEGEAN
The city of Chios is the administrative economic and cultural centre of the island of Chios. It has a population of 30,000, is situated on the east coast of the island and is the capital. Archaeological discoveries have shown that Chios has been inhabited continually since 6000 B.C. The city proper, was built by Greeks shortly before 1000 B.C. So, we can certainly say that the history of the city goes back more than 3000 years. From its inception until now it has experienced long periods of prosperity and decline and in each rebuilding, the city has always covered the same geographic area. For this reason, one can find evidence in the modern city from all periods of its long history. This makes Chios, like other great Greek cities, a living embodiment of a rich Greek and Aegean past.
During Ancient times the city of Chios knew periods of great economic and intellectual wealth. Apart from being famous for its formidable navy and for its great commercial strength which profoundly afected scientific and cultural growth, Chios is regarded as the birth place of the greatest poet of Ancient times Homer. Chios was undoubtedly one of the most important cities of the Greek Colonies in Ionia (Asia Minor). During the Roman Period Chios declined but in the Byzantine era it recovered and for about 1000 years it became one of its most important provinces. In 1346 it was occupied by the Genoese. In 1566 the Ottoman Turks, having already conquered the Byzantine Empire drove out the Genoese, took Chios and occupied it until 1912. In that year Chios was liberated and became an integral part of Greece.
The city of today is going through a period of renewed prosperity. Its inhabitants are mainly engaged in seafering (it's the home of a great number of shipping magnates) commercial, farming and fishing activities. In recent years tourism has taken off because of the natural beauty and historical sites which entice visitors from Greece and abroad. The numerous remains of Chios historical past are everywhere to be witnessed and enjoyed. Some of the most important of them can be found in the Archaelogical, Byzantine and Naval Museums and the famous Korais Library. Other important places are: the Byzantine Castle, the villas of the Genoese in the Kampos area among the citrus orchards and the neo-classical buildings; all these constitute the pride and the joy of Chios.
Mention must be made that Chios is the Cultural Centre of the Eastern Aegean because of the intense cultural life and the cultural awareness of its inhabitants. This is in part due of the presence of the Omerion Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Chios, the Municipal and Regional Theater of the North Aegean, the Municipal Art Gallery. Chios joyfully offers to all its hospitable inhabitants and visitors the opportunity to contribute their own personal adventures to the history, culture and future of the island in the brilliance and beauty of the Aegean light. The Tourist Office of Chios Municipality will be glad to offer information and support to all the visitors of the City of Chios.

This text is cited May 2003 from the Municipality of Chios URL below, which contains images.

• http://www.chioscity.gr/city/city.htm (2 img.)

DAFNONAS (Village) CHIOS
  This beautiful and picturesque colonizing is located on the slopes of mount "Kakia Skala". So it watches from the top all the Kampochora, the Kambos, the sea and the coast of Ionia (Asia Minor) across the Aegean. The village took its name from the dafnes (=laurels) and it's 9,5 kilometers away from the city of Chios if you go by Halkios, but if you go by the "Koris Gefiri" and Psaropetra, it is 8 kilometers. The tradition mentions that the village comes from an old colonizing at Petrana, at Kanavoutsata, or at Lavrina. It was transferred at its present location, always according to the tradition, at the end of the 10th and the beginning of the 11th century.
  The favored Saint of the village is Agios Panteleimon, the temple of whom is at the entrance of the village with a wonderful stone belltower, built in 1990. In the village there is Agios Georgios church, an ancient and parish temple which has been repaired and renewed recently. Around the village there are the places Kanavoutsato, Stratigato, Vestarchato, where there was plenty of Medieval and older Greek material. Those names show the marks the Genoese leadership left in the area, like the ruined castle in the center of the village, the tower in Lavrina, etc.

This text is cited Feb 2002 from the Municipality of Kambochora URL that have been removed.

Elata Community

ELATA (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 73115
  Elata is a small, but noteworthy village, built alongside a steep hill. It is a medieval village whose castle’s corner towers in addition to the remnants of the fortified wall are still preserved. The inhabitants of Elata are mainly occupied with agriculture. They produce mastic, almonds, oil, and grapes. In the village, there is a high school and the Church of Aghia Triada.
  Near Elata, there is a picturesque beach of Aghia Irini, as well as the deserted islands of Pelagoniso and Aghios Stefanos. These are ideal places for fishing. The inhabitants of Elata are mainly occupied with agriculture. They produce mastic, almonds, oil, and grapes. In the village, there is a high school and the Church of Aghia Triada. Near Elata, there is a picturesque beach of Aghia Irini, as well as the deserted islands of Pelagoniso and Aghios Stefanos. These are ideal places for fishing.

KABIA (Village) CHIOS
  It is a small village, 19km from Kardamyla, built at the northwest side of Pelineo, just across Amani. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains as well as the Aegean Sea that separates Chios from Lesvos.
  Nearby the village there is a walking track that passes by the Kambia canyon. Walking by the Kambia canyon is quite exciting, as you enjoy the view of the inhabitant's old cultivation as well as the water of the river's bed all year round. In some points the vegetation is very rich and has all the characteristics of riverside vegetation. You will meet planes, oleanders, big oaks, and ivies scrambling on the trees, while the nightingales' songs always accompany you. The track leads to the beach of Kambia where lies a kiosk for you to rest.
  At the east, and in a short distance from the track, you will meet he Castle of Orgia and the chapels of Panagia and Agia Paraskevi, while a little further at the west there lies the chapel of Agii Pantes.

This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below.

• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/kambia_en.htm

Kallimassia Community

KALIMASSIA (Small town) CHIOS
Kallimasia is one of the island's largest mastic villages, the capital of the Municipality of Ionia and the first village which visitors encounter 13 kilometers from the town of Chios. It is built on a plain where deep green vegetation and olive trees prevail. Inside the village, one will find the remains of medieval towers, the well-preserved and impressive churches and the lively village squares. The Women's Handicraft Association has managed to preserve the area's customs in addition to customs found in other villages of the island. Also located in the village is a Cultural Center. In the surrounding area, there is the nunnery of Panaghia Plakidiotissa which was built on the remains of an earlier nunnery dated to the 16th century. The area of Aghios Emilianos, one kilometer from Kallimasia, has a magnificent beach for swimming.

KAMBOS (Settlement) CHIOS
  Kambos («Plain») is a flat land that streches, along the east coast of the island of Chios, about 10 Km long and 2 Km wide. The low mountains that surround it from the west are the source of its underground waters; what makes Kambos an endless garden with flowers and citrous trees, very close to the capital of Chios.
  Kambos represents a unique, both residential and agriculturar site, situated in a very critical area of Greece and Europe, in general. It consists of about 200 ectares, all surrounded by high, artistic fences.
  Every mansion of an estate is considered as an exquisite masterpiece with it’s exeptional original architecture.
  These mansions , as well as the side buildings, the stoney pared courtyards, the wheel-wells, the citrous gardens and the intriciate irrigation systems of those estates, all are regarded to as of great historical significance throughout the centuries.
  They also inform us of all the political, financial and cultural activities going on in Chios from the 14th century up to now. The local aristocrats and the Genoan colonists were the first who built towers in the gardens, around the 14th century. Later, through the 17-19 century, these towers were turned into cottage houses of the rich traders of Chios.
  The roads of Kambos are narrow, secluded by high fences; they protect the trees out of dust and the wind and they also help preserve the privacy of the tenants.
  In every estate, the arched doorway with the heavy wooden leaves opens to the courtyard. This one is usually paved with stones in a design, with trees and flowers all around, not forgetting the traditional cistern and the well in it.
  The typical mansion of Kambos is tow-stored with a huge murbled staircase. The first floor was used as the stonehouse while the main rooms were all on the second floor; there the view goes all the way over the trees.
  Kambos has recently been proclaimed by the Greek Ministry of Culture as a historical site and a number of restoration works has been done both by citizens and the Public Authorities.
   The Municipality of Chios has already restored «Mavrocordatiko» an old estate in the centre of the area. Many of those mansions are now working as hostels, because Kambos attracts so many tourists not only in the summer but in the spring too, when trees and flowers all blossom.

This text is cited June 2003 from the Municipality of Chios URL below, which contains images.

• http://www.chioscity.gr/kampos/kampos.htm (12 img.)

Kardamyla Community

KARDAMYLA (Small town) CHIOS
  Kardamyla is a borough built on the site of ancient Kardamilis at 28 km from the town of Chios. It is divided into two settlements; the upper section is also the older village, spreading at the feet of a steep hill. The houses have an intensely traditional architecture. Narrow streets, curbstone alleys and covered passages are typical local features; just as typical are the houses, mainly built in stone, decorated with flowers and plants. Kardamyla is home to approximately 2000 persons in both settlements. It is the birthplace of freedom fighters Chartoulakis (in the Middle Ages) and Kontanignotis (in the 1821 War of Independence), The Venerable Nikiphoros, historian of the Nea Moni and Georgios Zolotas, historian of Chios, were also born here.
  The lower village, called Marmaro, is built on the coast, in the inner part of a beautiful bay at a distance of 2 km from the old settlement. It has many exquisite mansions, built by the many seafarers and ship owners tracing their origins to this place; the people of Kardamyla have always loved the sea on which they worked.
  A distinguishing mark of Marmaro is the statue of the Sailor from Kardamyla, work of the sculptor Apartis, set in the harbor square. Walking in the narrow streets of Marmaro is a pleasant experience that will make one feel the typical island atmosphere of Chios. The area has many delightful beaches; Nagos and Yiosonas are considered the best of all.

KARFAS (Settlement) CHIOS
  Karfas, with its beautiful beach, is the harbor (Skala) of Thymiana. Situated 5 km from the town of Chios, it has evolved into the largest tourist resort of the island. Every summer, thousands of vacationers gather on the beautiful beach to enjoy the cool waters of the day and play with its fine-grained sand. The beach of Karfas is surrounded by large hotel units catering to more demanding tastes but has also a number of inns and rented rooms.
  Being a tourist center, Karfas has an intense night life, Greek evenings are regularly organized at the various hotels; numerous bars and pubs, as well as discos, cater to those who like to dance.
  Close to Karfas, in the area of the village of Vavili, there is the church of the Virgin Krina (Panaghia Krena), one of the most dazzling examples of 12th century island religious architecture. Inside the church, the walls are covered with many layers of mural paintings. The upper layer is the work of Michail Chomatis, one of the last artists of the 18th century Cretan School. The Byzantine tower of Agelastos, situated in the same area, is also quite interesting.

This extract is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below, which contains image.

Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee WebPage
• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/karfas_en.htm (1 img.)

KATARAKTIS (Settlement) CHIOS
Katarraktis is a small fishing village located 15 km south of the town of Chios. It is a small, cozy port perfect for sailboats and fishing boats. The fishing boats provide the village with the fresh fish served by the taverns lined up alongside the harbor of Katarraktis.

Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee WebPage
• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/kataraktis_en.htm (1 img.)

Keramos Community

KERAMOS (Village) CHIOS
  Keramos emerges from the mountains of Amani and Pelineo through thick and rich vegetation. It was, for many decades, one of the most important villages of Amani due to the mining of antimony. The village is almost 14km from Volissos, at the beginning of the road that connects the road network of Amani with the villages of Leptopoda and Kambia.
  You can see the mines and the pitheads of antimony, which are still preserved and were operating up to the mid sixties. The galleries, the premises of the company that had exploited them until recently, the chemical laboratory, the kiln, and the chimney as well as the equipment of the premises are going to be collected by the local authorities in order to create an industrial museum of antimony, a unique of its kind within the Balkan region.

KINI (Settlement) CHIOS
The village Kini is located between Patrika, Flatsia, Vouno, Pagida and Kalamoti, so Kini is a common land for all the above villages. In the ancient times it was a great Byzantine center with many churches, but nowadays some of them is in ruin. Kini is among the villages that were stroked by the catastrophic earthquake of 1881 and before this. The residents of the village are mainly farmers and are occupied with the cultivation of the mastic, which is the main product of Mastichochoria.

This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below.

• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/kini_en.htm

Kourounia Community

KOUROUNIA (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22740 71206

Lagada Community

LAGADA (Small town) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 74924
  Lagada is 16 Km far from Chios town, in the northeast side of the island. It has an amazing natural beauty as the scenery combines the sea with the mountains. The village is amphitheatrically built, ending to the homonymous gulf.
  At the village square is the church of Agios Ioannis. But the traditional local festive is celebrated on 17th of September and it is sacred to the memory of Agia Sofia, a seaside church.
  Moreover this village includes and some other settlements: the one named Agrelopos, the abandoned area of Kydianta, Delfini and Kila. The visitor can enjoy traditional food, fresh fishes and other delicacies in one of the seaside taverns and in the afternoon you can have a cap of coffee with your friends at the cafeterias along the coast. The view from there is magnificent!

Lithio Community

LITHIO (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 73201
Lithi is located 23 kilometers from the town of Chios and a mere four kilometers north of the village Vessa. The village name may perhaps be derived from "Alithis limin," meaning true haven, which was the name given to the site by old-time travelers. Lithi is the birthplace of Andreas Syngros, whose family house can still be seen. The village is famous for its excellent fish, which is not surprising since the local population consists primarily of fishermen. Visitors may observe the methods utilized to repair nets alongside the large fishing boats anchored in Omalia which is Lithi's beautiful, sandy beach located a short distance from the foot of the village. The sandy beach is captivating since it is engulfed within a peninsula that is surrounded by an evergreen landscape, hills and medieval watchtowers or "vigles". Visitors will relish seafood delights such as red mullets, huge blackfish, bass, and lobster alongside the Aegean Sea.

MEGAS LIMNIONAS (Settlement) CHIOS
  The road continues and soon we reach another beach area, Megas Limnionas. It takes its name from the word limni (bay) which is protected from the North Winds. It was used for loading and unloading cargo goods to and from the nearby islands and from Asia Minor. During the Middle Ages when pirates rampaged the Greek shores, one Friday before Lent they landed here to plunder the village of Thymiana nearby. The villagers, meanwhile, had been notified by the watch towers. They lay in ambush at Stenaka and routed them.
  In commemoration of this victory, the famous Mostra of Thymiana is held each year on the Friday and Sunday before Lent. In 1822 it was in Megas Limnionas that Lycourgos and his men landed from Samos in the hopes of stirring the revolution for the island's freedom from Turks. (Unfortunately, the mission failed; Chios was not liberated until 1912). Here, too, and all across these shores, thousands of Greek refugees arrived from Asia Minor as a result of the Turkish holocaust there in 1922. Today the visitor is won over by the natural beauty of the landscape and the clear blue sea. Here, too, there are charming taverns, rooms to let and various shops to accommodate all visitors.

This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below, which contains image.

Municipality of Agios Minas WebPage
• http://www.chios.gr/agiosminas/english_version/meg... (1 img.)

MESSA DIDIMA (Village) CHIOS
Didima is the name for two villages - Mesa and Exo (In and Out)- which are located next to the villages Mirmigi and Tholopotami and between Pagida and Kalimasia. They might be small villages in extent, but in the Medieval times had a great prosperity. Mesa Didima is the birthplace of Emanuel Roidis. And here it is also built the Monastery of Agia Matrona. The first nuns were his sisters. By the time of Turkish domination the Reverent Father Nikiforos the Chian composed there 24 hymns to honor Agia Matrona. Today in the cloister live only 2-3 nuns.

This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below.

• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/didima_en.htm

Mesta Community

MESTA (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 76290
Mesta lies southwest of the town of Chios, 35 kilometers away, in the area of Mastihohoria (meaning the "mastic villages"). It is a perfectly preserved castle village dated to the medieval period. The houses were built one right next to the other, thereby creating a protective wall surrounding the village. The open-hearted and kind people of Mesta still preserve the traditions of the 14th century village. The village's most important custom takes place during the carnival festivities where the "Aghas" trials, a satirical replica of the trials that used to take place under the Turkish Occupation, are presented. There are two routes that visitors may choose in order to come to Mesta.
•From Chios, the road leading to Armolia, Pyrgi, and Olympi also continues onward to Mesta. This route is the easiest and fastest.
•From Chios, the road leading to Aghios Georghios, Vessa, and Elata also leads to Mesta. Thus Mesta is a crossroad by which visitors are afforded access to the majority of the noteworthy sites of the central and southern portions of the island of Chios.

Monastery of St. Markella

MONI AGIAS MARKELIS (Monastery) CHIOS

Monastery of St. Matrona Chalandron

MONI AGIAS MATRONIS CHALANDRON (Monastery) CHIOS
  The Monastery was built by the noble Roidis in 1470 near the village of Mesa Didima. He originally intended to build a summer villa, however, the St. Matrona appeared in a dream and instructed him to build the Monastery instead. His sisters were the first two nuns to enter the Monastery. The spiritual leader of the Monastery during the Turkish Occupation was the Holy Nikiforos of Chios. The Holy Nikiforos of Chios wrote the 24 Hymns of Agia Matrona. Today, four nuns dwell in the Monastery. The Monastery celebrates the Saint’s Feast Day on October 20th of each year.

Monastery of Agii Pateres

MONI AGION PATERON (Monastery) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 79390
  This cloister was built in the cave where the three monks who are credited with the establishment of the Nea Moni Monastery, took their monastic vows. In 1688, the cave was give to the monk Jeremiah, who was from Crete, who constructed the Temple and built quarters. In 1868, following Jeremiah’s death, the Holy monk Pahomios, from the village of Elata in Chios, asked for the buildings and converted them into the largest monastic center on the island. Religious painting began to flourish in 1900. Today, four monks live in the Cloister. Entrance is forbidden to women after sunset.

Monastery of St. George

MONI AGIOU GEORGIOU (Monastery) CHIOS
  The Monastery of Agios Georghios (St. George) was established in the 19th century. It is located in the village Pyrgi and the guesthouse or xenona is definitely worth seeing. It is decorated with the traditional, geometrically shaped xysta, (meaning "scratched" designs) which portray Adam and Eve. Two monks live in the Monastery today.

Monastery Fragovounion

MONI AGIOU KONSTANTINOU (Monastery) CHIOS
  This is located at Frangovouni, a short drive from Chios town. It was established by Osios Pahomios in 1898 and maintains strict canons; males are forbidden entrance. The nuns, about 27 in number, are occupied with hagiography, embroidering and weaving. Many miracles have occurred in the monastery at various times.

Monastery of St. Markos

MONI AGIOU MARKOU (Monastery) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 79253
  The cloister of Agios Markos was built in 1886 on the Penthodos mountain and is approximately 15 kilometers from the town of Chios. It was built by the ascetic Parthenios who was from the village of Dafnona in Chios and led his ascetic life in a nearby cave. The Monastery offered valuable services to the Greek army during the liberation of the island in 1912 from the yoke of the Turks. Religious painting developed in the Monastery around 1900. Today, two monks live in the Monastery and a wealthy library has been preserved.

Monastery of St. Minas

MONI AGIOU MINA (Monastery) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 31555
  The Reverend Neofitos Koumanos and his son, Reverend Minas, built the Monastery between 1572 and 1595 under the Patriarch Jeremiah II. The Monastery was built on the top of a hill, just outside the village of Nehori. It was intended to be an abbey for monks, however, in 1932, it was converted into a Monastery and is currently home to 25 nuns that occupy their time with religious painting, crafts and sewing ecclesiastical garments. The Monastery has become famous and is well known worldwide. It is directly linked with Chios’ recent history and more specifically with the Massacre of Chios in 1822 when the Turks slaughtered and burned 3,000 Chians who had flocked to the Monastery from surrounding villages to be saved. Today, the atrocities of the Massacre are still evident in the blood stained marble floor of the church. The Mausoleum, located in the courtyard of the Monastery, displays the bones of many victims of the Massacre.

Monastery of St. Stefanos

MONI AGIOU STEFANOU (Monastery) CHIOS
  Established in 1880, the Monastery of Agios Stefanos is located in Vrontados, Chios. The small chapel of Agios Stefanos originally stood in the area where we find today’s bell tower. The Monastery came under the care of the Holy Parthenios who also initiated and completed reconstruction of the Church we see today. The church celebrates the feast day of St. Stefanos on December 27th of each year.

Monastery Myrsinidiou

MONI MYRSINIDIOU (Monastery) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 92780

Monastery of the Virgin Plakidiotissa

MONI PANAGIAS KIMISSEOS PLAKIDIOTISSAS (Monastery) CHIOS
  Established in 1625, this monastery is located in Kallimasia. Its name derived from the stone plates (places) found in the area. It is honored on the same feast day as the Dormition of the Virgin (Tis Panaghias), August 15th. During the horrible massacres of 1822 most of its 600 nuns were slaughtered or deserted the monastery. One of the few who returned, Katafigi Mastroyanakis, found the icon of the Virgin in a miraculous way. Today the monastery has three nuns.

Monastery of Taxiarches

MONI TAXIARCHON (Monastery) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 61469
  This was established in 1305 in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin but was renamed Monastery of Taxiarhon in 1306 after the discovery of the icon of Archangel Michael (one of the Taxiarchi) in the following miraculous way: When the monk Parthenios of Morea on the Greek mainland, painted the icon, he dedicated it to this monastery and tossed it into the sea. The waves brought it to the shore of Thymiana in Chios. The villagers who found it decided to build a church in which to place it, but the Archangel appeared in their dreams and instructed them to bring the icon to this monastery instead. The present monastic structures were built after the original ones were destroyed in the terrible earthquakes of 1881. Today there are eight nuns; the monastery celebrates its feast day on November 8.

Nea Moni of Chios

NEA MONI (Monastery) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 79391, 79370

The 11th century Nea Moni (New Monastery) on the eastern Aegean island of Chios represents a characteristic example of the Middle Byzantine architecture and aesthetics, a period known as the golden age of Byzantine art or the Rennaisance of the Macedonian dynasty reign.

The main church of the complex, the katholikon is built on a cross-in-square plan with a large dome supported by squinches defining an octagonal space. The dome, approximately 7 m in diameter, has no lateral bays but is placed between a triconch sanctuary and a narthex preceded by an exonarthex with lateral absides. The construction of Nea Moni illustrates the so-called insular architectural type, found in Chios and Cyprus. The interior is decorated with superb mosaics on a gold background, among the finest examples of the Byzantine era, a folk transcription of the great models of Constantinople.

The construction of the monastery is fully documented as it was linked to a major event in Byzantine history. Constantine the Gladiator, a nobleman living in exile, was told by two monks of Chios, Nicetas and John, that he would become Emperor. When Constantine Monomachos married the twice-widowed 64-year-old Empress Zoe in 1042, thus becoming Basileus, he remembered the prediction. In 1045 he founded the monastery, choosing as its site a valley on Chios on the slopes of Mount Aetos and bestowing it with possessions and privileges. At its peak, around 1300, Nea Moni was one of the wealthiest monasteries in the Aegean. History sealed its fate once more in the 1822 Chios massacre by Ottoman troops during the Greek War of Independence. Nea Moni, sacked and looted, never regained its former glory.

Nenita Community

NENITA (Small town) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 61451
Eighteen kilometers far from Chios town, is located a big settlement, named Nenita. The village is stretched out on a wide slope from where supervise the olive groves and the shore. During the Medieval times Nenita was the biggest from all the Mastichochoria, with 2500 population, while today has been reduced to 1000 people. Nenita is the cultural center of the Mastichochoria. The residents are mainly occupied with the cultivation of the land and particularly with the mastic -trees. Up from the village is the newest Monastery of Taxiarches. There are two more churches in the area, Saint George and Agioi Anargiroi. Near the village's beach are located the settlements of Gridia and Vokaria. The second is the closest point to the shores of Asia Minor.

Nenitouria Community

NENITOURIA (Village) CHIOS
  Located 65 kilometers north of the town of Chios and a mere 20 kilometers from the village Volissos is Nenitouria. The four communities, Psaros, Kosmados, Hametos and Antrahlias have been united to form one single village, that is, Nenitouria. When entering the village, visitors are impressed by the dale covered with plane trees and large stones. In the wintertime, these stones drown in the gushing waters that brush across their surface. These are the Amanis waters.
  The mountainside cradles the village thereby enhancing its resemblance to an amphitheater. Most homes are in ruins and uninhabited. Although the residents' homes are scattered across three communities (the fourth community, Antrahlias, is abandoned), the local cafeteria doesn't fail to bring them together since this is their meeting point. Olive trees, pine trees, plane trees, oak trees and bushes surround the village. The picturesque beach of the village is called Aghios Georghios (St. George) Krasas named after the old chapel located on the beach and dedicated to the Saint. It is approximately five kilometers from the village.

Neochori Community

NEOCHORI (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 31415

Olymbi Community

OLYMBI (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 76310
Thirty-one kilometers south of the town of Chios and six kilometers after Pyrgi, visitors encounter the medieval village called Olympi. Its beautiful houses, connected to each other, used to form its defensive wall. The narrow streets, cobbled roads and rigid, yet simple architecture, testify to the village's medieval origin. The whole village has been categorized as a medieval monument. Here, one can see the skepastra and doxharades. The villagers are occupied with agriculture and beehives. The defensive tower of the village is also very impressive. The central tower is one of the few that are still preserved in Chios' medieval villages.

PATRIKA (Village) CHIOS
  The exact date that the village was built remains unknown, however, references made by travelers and historians indicate that the village was built around 1050. Legend has it that the first family to inhabit this village left the village of Kalamoti and searched for an area with better weather conditions. They came upon this hill and built a tower in which to reside in. This is the first house of the village belonging to the family "Mendona."
  The village, in its time, was a typical castle-village that was customary during that period. The houses were connected, each built right next to the other, without any windows or exterior doors. This architecture formed the protective wall, thus forming a castle village. Still in existence today are the stone balconies and windows that were built following the era of pirates.
  Inside the castle village today are two chapels. One belongs to Aghios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) and the other to Taxiarchi (the Archangel). These were also made from stone and were connected to houses thereby bonding them together. However, what differentiates these chapels from the houses is the fact that they are both shorter in height and can be distinguished by visitors.
  Today, visitors walk through the corridors of the village in awe of the ancient stone built houses, the cozy corners with opened and closed shutters, the multiple colored attic windows, in addition to the plethora of reconstructed shells that conceal within their walls popular art treasures such as pillars and fireplaces.
  There is a cafeteria located in the village square.

This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below.

Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee WebPage
• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/Patrika_en.htm

Pityous Community

PITYOUS (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22720 23364
  The village is named after "Pitys" (meaning "pine" in Ancient Greek), thus testifying its antiquity. Besides, one of the names of Chios island during Antiquity was "Pityousa" (meaning "the one who has pines"). The modern village of Pityos is quite small and is mainly inhabited by cattle raisers and a few farmers. The village administratively belongs to Municipality of Kardamyla and lies in the middle of the road connecting the highway Chios - Volissos (21st km) and the highway Chios - Kardamyla (20th km). It is built in a plateau of the mountainside of mount Oros, in a unique environment that combines the mountain and the plain. There are an old Byzantine tower, a windmill and a few churches. You can stay in a newly constructed hostel, a renovated old stone edifice, and you can also enjoy local meat and local mezedes at the tavern of the village.

Pyrgi Community

PYRGI (Small town) CHIOS
Pyrgi was named after the central tower which is still well-preserved, is the largest and for many, the most important village in Chios. It is also called the "painted" village due to the unique architectural designs known as "xysta" (facade decorations comprised of geometric and natural motifs) which are clearly evident even today. Pyrgi is a medieval village with stone houses connected together, beautiful balconies decorated with xysta and small, sun-dried tomatoes hanging from the balconies. The village is comprised of narrow streets, geometrically designed wall embellishments and remarkable churches. These are vital features that compose the village's character.

SALAGONAS (Beach) CHIOS
Salagonas is a bay located about 6 Km. south of Olympoi, between Aghia Dynami and Avlonia.

Sidirouda Community

SIDIROUDA (Village) CHIOS
Sidirounta is a village built up on a hillock at the west side of Chios island with a panoramic view to the Aegean sea. From here someone can enjoy the sunset, drinking his coffee in one of the local traditional cafe places. Sidirounta includes other two areas, the one of Metochi and the other of Prasteio. Further down the village, on a beautiful valley with plane -trees and fresh spring water is the old temple of John the Baptist, while in the area of Prasteio up to the off -shore dirt road that ends to Managros, is saved in a good condition the Byzantine church of Saint George. Around the outline of Sidirounta there are many of the most beautiful and pure coasts of the island. The waters there are clean and have a light green color.

Spartouda Community

SPARTOUDA (Village) CHIOS
It is one of the mountainous villages of Pelineo. It lies just after Fyta, on the road from Katavasi to Kambia and is 44 km from Chios town. It is characterized by the natural beauty of the forest surrounding it and the abundant water that springs from the mountainsides. It is mainly inhabited by cattle-raisers who elevate mainly goats but also ships that are fed in plain nature at the neighboring grasslands of Pelineo and Amani. Spartounda is the start of quite a few exciting natural tracks for the visitors. The track 'Latomio - Tou angelou to Nero - Amithounda - top of mount Pelineo' is of a unique beauty. The top of Mount Pelineo is the highest point of the island, that is 1.297m.

Sykiada Community

SYKIADA (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 74404
Sykiada is a village built up on a barren hill in a distance of 14 Km from Chios town. The most residents of the village are seamen. Next to Sykiada is the seaside settlement of Pantoukios. It is a small, picturesque port, a fishing shelter with a fish -house and a local cafeteria (cafenio). The natural scenery offers the visitor an unbelievable peace and calm. Moreover, the settlement of Sykiada owns another area, named "Agios Ioannis Tholos" and the beach of Agios Isidoros that is a well organized place for camping.

THOLOPOTAMI (Village) CHIOS
Tholopotami is beautifully situated up to the wooden, full of freshness hillsides of Prophet Elias. The village is divided in two settlements, the Up Neighborhood with the Holly Cross church and the Down Neighborhood with the narrow, small, rising roads that make a net full of eyeshot surprises around the Assumption of the Virgin and the churches of Saint Panteleimon, Saint Nicolas and Saint Victors. In the area of Tholopotami it is worth to visit the area of Saint Peter, where below from the church there is a small spring that considered to give holly water. Near there someone can see the relics of an old fortress.

This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below.

• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/tholopotami_en.htm

Thymiana Community

THYMIANA (Small town) CHIOS
  Just seven kilometers south of the town of Chios lies the village of Thymiana. It is amongst the largest settlements of Chios with approximately 1600 inhabitants. The village used to be known as "Efthymiana", meaning a place renowned for its many quarries from which the renowned "Thymianousiko" stone (red ochre in color) was extracted.
  The Thymiana stone is an excellent decorative substance for buildings. It was used in building mansions and churches in Kambos and is continued to be used today. The village of Thymiana maintains a primary school, sports associations, yacht club, cultural club as well as the large church dedicated to Aghios Efstratios.
  The "resorts" of Thymiana include Aghia Ermioni and Megas Limnionas. Megas Limnionas is renowned for its fine, sandy beach. Located approximately 3 kilometers from the village, they are comprised of many summerhouses, most of which belong to the inhabitants of Thymiana. Over the last few years, the area became known as a result of its expansive development of tourism with the establishment of rooms for rent, small hotels, taverns, cafeterias and bars.

VASSILEONIKO (Village) CHIOS
  The village of Vassileoniko is located 6 kilometers Southwest of the city of Chios, capital of the Prefecture, and very close to the . The name Vassileoniko or Vassileonikos is compound by the words Vassileon and Oikos (Vassileon = of the Kings and -(o)ikos = home) and according to the popular tradition it came from the residence of a king who once lived in the village. It is also mentioned on Attalos?s sign which was found in Asia Minor. In 1881, a destructive earthquake leveled the whole village, which according to "The History of Chios" written by G. Zolotas, was composed by a few houses with a central church, the last of which exists until today and is called Agios Georgios. The local tradition says, however, that at the village there were only three houses, in the so called Valide Tsiflik (=Property of Sultan?s Wife) near the castle of Doxara.
  The temple of Agios Georgios was in the center of the village and it was a small one with only two windows. After the earthquake, a greater one was built by the citizens of the village, who apart from having been known to be the best gardeners, were also excellent builders. The estates of the Sultans found in that area, were rented for 200 coins annually as a tax to the Sultan?s wife. The tenants were obliged along with the citizens of Dafnona and those of Karies, to watch and maintain the aqueducts of the town. After the slaughter of 1770 in Peloponnisos, families from there came to Chios and settled in Vassileoniko with the permission of the Turk supervisor (Agas), since the village was being closed with gates that opened only with his permission.

This text is cited Feb 2002 from the Municipality of Kambochora URL that have been removed.

VAVILI (Village) CHIOS
  Southwest of the town of Chios and just 7 kilometers form it, there is Vavili. Between Neochorio and Sklavia, you think that it is built in a "pit" and around it appears, in the South, the mountain of Anemona and in the Northwest, the hill of Sklavia.
   Its 200 citizens are occupied with agriculture. Their gardens are located in the West side of the village, on the side of Sklavia, there where wells with plenty of water are. They produce many premature gardening products and the very famous, sweet and easy cooking beans of Vavili. There is also a small production of mastic.
  This small village also belongs to the municipality of Kambochora. But it maintains its municipal school, while it has a library and a Byzantine Museum. In this, ecclesiastical objects of great value and wonderful pictures taken from the temple of Panagia Krina, are exposed.
  The name "Vavili" is said to be derived from the Genoese last name "Vavilas", while the tradition mentions that the village was built from the slaves (kopelia, sklavia) of the Genoese, who had their castles and their estates in the area (Krina, Kardamada, Anemonas, Sklavia). When the slaves were set free, along with their freedom they had the right to settle in the area nearby and cultivate it. This tradition is also a possible explanation of the name Sklavia (slavery), (sklavi=little slave). In this area old Genoese mansions still remain, surrounded by a wonderful pine forest. The church of Agios Ioannis of the Catholics still exists, too.

This text is cited Feb 2002 from the Municipality of Kambochora URL that have been removed.

VERVERATO (Village) CHIOS
  Just 7,5 kilometers away form the city of Chios is one more village of the Municipality of Kampochora, Ververato. Surrounded by other villages, one can see it a little further away from Halkios, South of Zifias, going to the West. Even though it is a small village, it stands out for its ponds and plentiful waters. It is found in the North of the area of Lavrinas, East of Halkios, South of Zifias and West of Profitis Helias. If someone wants to see how "united" all those places are, all he has to do is climb on a hill of the rocky area of Petrana and admire the view from up there. It has only a few houses, since the citizens are only 340 (1991 census). They are occupied with agriculture and gardening.
  After the joining of the divided colonizings of the Municipality, the old Community Center of the village "gave" its building to the Municipal Water and Sewage Company of Kampochora, which is located in the center of the external road. The village's Doctor's Office is found in the nearby room. The village has also a small sports stadium that was constructed recently. Although the village has lost its "old color" and the customs that still remain are very few, it is still alive. The center of the happenings is the Educational and Civilizing Council, which with the citizens? help tries to take advantage of all opportunities to develop the area. The history of Ververato and its assistance to all the hard days of the wars is remarkable. the ruins of the forts and the castles that remain until today prove it.
  The name of the village, as some people say, came from the "Ververis", the last name of a Spanish citizen. One of the castles of the village belonged to him, but unfortunately time has left only a few remains from all the traditional buildings for us to admire and be able to travel back to those days. Looking from high up, the small houses, most of which have two floors, form big pyramidal quadrilaterals and seem gathered one next to the other. Around them, the green trees form a circle which hugs them and relaxes them with its freshness in the summer.

This text is cited Feb 2002 from the Municipality of Kambochora URL that have been removed.

Vessa Community

VESSA (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22710 73300
  Vessa is a medieval village that lies in the center of a big agricultural basin and it has a main gate, which is in a very good condition. The area has a well laid -out streets and high narrow buildings that look like towers. Although the fortified surrounding wall has been split, the whole village stone houses remain in a very good condition but many off them are dilapidated and empty. There are many big and wealthy houses in the area that were built by prosperous emigrants. Among the village churches is Panagia, Agios Dimitrios and Panagia Petrousena, which is considered to be the most ancient church of Chios, according to the locals. e most ancient church of Chios, according to the locals.

Viki Community

VIKI (Village) CHIOS
Tel: +30 22720 41291
The village of Viki lies 16km east of Kambia and west of Kardamyla. It is built at the mountainside of Pelineo and has beautiful forests and a rich natural environment. You can visit the lodge of the area if you follow the forested road that leads to the top of Pelineo. You can take the keys of the lodge if you go to the local authorities' office.

VOUNOS (Village) CHIOS
Vouno is another village of Mastichochoria. Here also thrives the famous mastic -trees. The village took his name from the prestigious top where is located. There was a big castle -tower in the village but had been destroyed after the earthquakes that hit the area. There are many churches in the village, Prophet Elias, Saint George, Agioi Apostoloi and Agios Nicolas.

Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee WebPage
• http://www.chios.gr/Villages/vouno_en.htm

Vrontados Community

VRONTADOS (Small town) CHIOS

ZYFIAS (Village) CHIOS
  About 8 kilometers away from the town of Chios, built in a hill, further down from Agios Georgios Sikousis, is the small village Zifias. The people who lived in Vassileoniko used to call it Zofia, those who lived in Agios Georgios called it Joufia. It was also mentioned as Zofades or Zifia. Some people believe the name comes from the last name Zizifias and some others from the "zuffe", the Arabian "zuffore". It is an old village, even older than that of Agios Georgios, as there exists written testimonies that the village Agios Georgios was built by the citizens of Zifia. At the border of the two villages the Monastery of Agios Georgios Sikousis was built, which was then called "old Monastery".
  There the three Agioi Pateres (=Holly Fathers) who led a hermit's life lived. Later they built the monastery of Agioi Pateres that has their name, and with the financial help of the Byzantine Emperor Konstantinos Monomachos they built the famous monastery of Nea Moni, which is a very important religious monument of Christians. Walking through the narrow paths of Zifia, the way that the houses are built so close to each other is very impressing. They are houses built in bad times, when the island suffered from conquerors and the citizens had to jump from roof to roof many times, to escape. Still, on every old house that remains, you can read the date of its construction, as it is written on plaques of marble, usually on the wall above the main entrance. A typical one is found above the wooden door of the old municipal school (1869).

This text is cited Feb 2002 from the Municipality of Kambochora URL that have been removed.