 | ||
| Chios | ||
| region | North Aegean | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 51.930 (2011) | |
| height | 1,297 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Chios is a Greek island in Aegean sea.
background
Chios (approx. 50,000 inhabitants) with the archipelago Inousses, Psara, Antipsara and some smaller uninhabited islands can look back on a very eventful history due to its strategic location. It is the fifth largest island in Greece and the tenth largest in the Mediterranean. The north of the island is mountainous (over 1000m. To the south lies the treeless Epos plateau. In the middle of the island, the heights decrease significantly, to the south the relief becomes hilly, and then rarely exceeds 400 m. Chios is particularly known for the cultivation of mastic. mastic is the resin of the mastic bushes that only grow here. It is created by the drying and hardening of the resin balm that emerges from the bushes or trees. Mastic is known in Greece as the tears of Chios and is used for desserts, as a spice, in spirits, as natural cosmetics and much more. used.
places
- 1 Chios city (Χίος).
Main town with good shopping, ferry port, fortress of Chios, Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum, Maritime Museum, Municipal Art Collection, SS. Victores Cathedral, St. Isidorus Basilica, Turkish bath, windmills. - 2 Pyrgi (Πυργί Χίου).known as the "painted village" because of the decoration of the houses. These mainly consist of black and white decorative motifs in various shapes. Pyrgi still has a medieval style, the streets are narrow and with arches or vaults. In the middle of the village there is a tower 18 meters high. It is the traditional center of Mastic Villages, a group of villages where residents engage in mastic farming. These villages have been included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- 3 Mesta (Μεστά Χίου).It belongs to the Mastic Villages, a group of villages where mastic production is the main activity. Mesta is characterized by its special architecture. It is a village castle with perfectly preserved medieval architecture.
- 4 Anavatos (Ανάβατος Χίου).It is a medieval village, now abandoned. It was founded in Byzantine times, probably by workers of the Nea Moni of Chios, and has been abandoned since the Chios massacre in 1822 and the 1881 earthquake. The medieval fortress towers over the village.
- 5 Volissos (Βολισσός Χίου).The village has a port that connects Chios with the island Psara connects. It is built in the amphitheatrical style on top of a hill and above it is a Byzantine castle built in the Middle Ages. Volissos is said to be one of the possible birthplaces of Homer. Herodotus refers to Homer who lived in this village and wrote his epics. In Christian-Greek history, Volissos is known as the birthplace of Saint Markella of Chios.
- 6 Lagkada (Λαγκάδα Χίου).small port town with a beautiful promenade.
Other goals
Castles
On Chios there are a large number of fortifications and a particularly large number of observation towers on the west and south sides of the island (see here) .
- Watchtowers of Chios.They were built on the coast of the Greek island of Chios from the 11th century, but mostly during the Genoese occupation (1346–1566). Some of them were integrated into the island's defense system until the 19th century. The more common name Vigla is of Italian origin. Of the formerly more than 50 towers, around 30 have been preserved, mainly on the west and south coast. The towers of Pachi, Livadi Mesta, Trachili and Elinda are almost intact. In 1995 the Greek Ministry of Culture declared 24 towers to be historical monuments and designated a radius of 500 m as a protection zone.
- 1 Pityus tower
- 2 Tamarkou tower
- 3 Kardamyla Castle (Δήμος Καρδαμύλων)
- 4 Dafnonas Castle
Ancient sites
- 5 Archaeological site of Emporio (Αρχαιολογικός χώρος Εμποριού)..The main archaeological site in Chios. A journey through time with a wonderful view from the slopes of the Profitis Ilias. It's worth a visit.
- 6 Temple of Fanaios Apollo. On a low hill in the sheltered bay of Fana are the remains of the Temple of Apollo of Fana (Fanaios Apollon). The small chapel of Agioi Theodoroi stands in the same place today. The place is considered the "Delion of Chios". According to legend, Delos, Apollo's birthplace, was revealed to his mother Leto here. Hence the term "Fanaios" which means the revealed one. Remains of the temple, which was built at the end of the 6th century BC. Was built. as well as the sections of the "perivolos" (enclosure) have been preserved.
Churches & monasteries
- 1 Nea Moni Monastery (Νέα Μονή Χίου).It is one of the most important Greek sacred buildings of the 11th century and is especially famous for its mosaics.
- 2 Church of the Virgin Sikelia. Especially worth a visit because of the great view.
- 3 Agio Gala church and caves. nice little church with stalactites inside.
nature
- 1 Sykias stalactite cave (Σπήλαιο Συκιά)
miscellaneous
- 7 Memorial to the Chios massacre
- 8 Chios windmills
activities
beaches
Many of the Beaches on Chios are pebble beaches, so it is better to bring loungers or chairs, as lying on the towel is uncomfortable. Or you can go straight to the managed beaches with loungers and parasols. The best beaches:
- 1 Karfas. long managed sandy beach.
- 2 Megas Limnionas
- 3 Aghia Fotini. long managed pebble beach.
- 4 Komi. Long, managed sand-gravel beach.
- 5 Mavra Volia. Picturesque beach made of dark volcanic rock (coarse gravel).
- 6 Lithi
- 7 Elinda
- 8 Lefkathia
- 9 Nagos
- 10 Daskalopetra
- Nudism: Well suited if you are willing to make a little effort. The island is dotted with small, secluded beaches, perfect for people who prefer nature to crowded "developed" places. But there is also a high "textile factor" all over the island and not even topless sunbathing on the most popular beaches is possible as there are almost no visitors except Greeks. It is then easier outside the high season Nudist beaches to Linden.
- Diving: The island is one of the best diving areas in Europe. Clear warm water, small underwater caves, imposing rocky landscapes and steep walls, interspersed with species-rich corals, invite you to dive
getting there
You can get to the island by plane or ferry, here is a list of the best companies: Charter flights:
- Lauda Air. Of Vienna.
- Transavia and MartinAir. Of Amsterdam.
- Adria Airways. Of Ljubljana.
- Privatair and SAS Braathens. Of Oslo.
Scheduled flights:
- Olympic Airlines
Ferries:
- Hellenic Seaways
- NEL Lines
mobility
The best thing is to rent a car or moped to see all of the island. But you can also go by bus: there are two bus routes. With the green buses you drive out of Chios city and with the blue buses within the city and the surrounding area.
Tourist Attractions
- The fortress of Chios and the Giustiniani Palace
- Daskalopetra (Homer's rock), Homer's place of teaching
- The Monastery of Nea Moni ', one of the oldest monasteries in Greece, it was founded in the middle of the 11th century
- The Panagia Agrelopou basilica, next to Kalamoti
- The Church of the Virgin Sikelia, in Exo Didymes
kitchen
The Greek cuisine is wonderful! Some typical dishes are mentioned here: Greek salad, saganaki, souvlaki and moussaka. The island is also famous for the cultivation and processing of mastic. The mastic is also used to make sweets, for which the island is known throughout Greece. Another sweet specialty of the island is the spoon sweet, various fruits such as grapes, figs, apples, quinces, citrus fruits or cherries that are marinated in syrup and therefore taste particularly sweet.
nightlife
Chios has a lively nightlife, thanks in part to the presence of many students from the Aegean University of Economics. Especially in the island's capital there are many bars that line up on the harbor promenade. You can order a frappe in one of the bars and watch the bustling life on Hafenstrasse. At the weekend you can also see many Greeks playing backgammon. The games can be borrowed in all bars. There are several clubs around Chios town that are open in summer, but those who prefer a traditional Greek evening should definitely go to a pub with Rembetika. There you can experience Greek music live. The musicians play the long-necked lute called bouzouki and sing traditional Greek songs. There are several bars near the beach, especially in the beach resorts popular with tourists such as Komi or Karfas. In the smaller, remote villages there is usually a kafeneion, a traditional Greek cafe where the local men meet.
security
There is no crime here, so it is safe to walk through the villages and streets alone! If you rent a car you should pay attention to the smooth streets.
climate
The Mediterranean weather on Chios is characterized above all by its subtropical, dry climate. This includes warm and rainy winters as well as dry summers with lots of sun. In some Mediterranean areas, the sea plays a special role. For example, cold ocean currents can cool the weather in summer. In the Mediterranean basin, however, such currents are completely absent, so that higher temperatures develop here. The eastern Mediterranean, where Chios is also located, is characterized by a lot of sunshine. Winds like the Meltemi, which blows strong and cold from the north, and the warm, dry sirocco influence the weather on Chios.
