Chios
Chios, south of Limnos,
claims to be
the birthplace of Homer. Its
landscape is very varied and its main crop is mastic, the
"chew in chewing gum", produced by trees that grow
nowhere else
in the world. Its capital and chief port, also called Chios,
is a lively town on the east coast of the island, opposite
the shores of ancient Iona. A happy blend of traditional
and modern, Chios has a large mediaeval castle which dominates
the harbour. Its walls enclose the old section of town,
whose houses are embellished with lattice windows and balconies.
The town also has two distinguished museums, the Archaeological
Museum with finds from the island, and the Museum of Modern
Greek Sculpture, Halepas, among others. In addition, the
Korai Library, one of the most important of Greece, contains
95000 volumes, including the founder's collection of rare
books, and an exhibit of local costumes.
Click on the
pictures to enlarge
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The
south part of the island is where mastic trees grow in
abundance. An unprepossessing, bush-like plant, its sticky
sap forms crystals which are gathered for use in many
products, including pharmaceuticals. The villages in
this district,
the so called Mastichohoriaor MAstic Villages, have retained
their vivid mediaeval character. The first one you come
to is Armolia (24km), known for its pottery and its ruined
Genoese castle. Pirgi (30 km) is the second in line.
It looks as though it has emerged intact from the Middle
Ages,
with its narrow, often roofed alleyways and its house
facades covered with the unique "xysta" decorations,
geometric patterns in gray and white. Eight kilometres
from Pirgi there are traces of a 6th century B.C. temple
of Apollo in the archaeological site of Phanes. Emborios,
10 km. south of Pirgi, is a typical seaside village,
whose wonderful beach is composed of black pebbles. Another
well
preserved village, Mesta, lies 10 km. west of Pirgi.
Many of its traditional houses have been converted by
the GNTO
into charming places for visitors to stay. Eleven kilometres
from Pirgi is the fishing hamlet of Limenas where there
are delightful beaches for bathing. In the northern half
of Chios the first stopping point is the village of Vrontados
(5 km), which boasts the famous "Daskalopetra" ("Teacher's
Rock") where legend maintains Homer used to teach.
Langadas (15 km) is a picturesque fishing village not
far from Delfinio, an ancient naval and military base
founded by the Athenians in 412 B.C. Kardamila and MArmaro
are two more typical fishing villages set at the back
of little bays with a variety of delightful places to
swim. Continuing north west, you will arrive at Volissos
(40 km) one of Chios's most beautiful villages, spread
over the lower slopes of a hill where the remains of
a byzantine castle stand sentinel. Tradition has it that
this is one of the many possible birthplaces of Homer.
The road to Volisos passes trough impressive mountain
scenery with wonderful views towards the sea. Two kilometres
away, the fishing village of Limia is where you can board
the caique that sails to Psara and the monastery of Ag
ia Markela Finally, in the hills to the west of the capital,
stands Nea Moni, the island's most important Byzantine
monument. Founded in the 11th century by a monk named
Constantine, the monastery contains extraordinary frescoes
and mosaics. In the same area, the evocative buildings
in the semi-abandoned mediaeval villages of Avgonima
and Anavatos transport the visitor to another era. Swimmers
will find a variety of lovely beaches on Chios. These
include the resort of Karfas, not far from town, Agia
Ermioni, Komi, Vrontodo, Agia Markela and others. For
a new taste experience, try some of the traditional Greek "spoon
sweets" preserves made from a plethora of ingredients,
for which the island is famous.
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How to dry octopuses -
Chios.
Photo:
Thierry Missiaen |
Chios,
Stalactites and Stalagmites in
Olympi.
Photo: Peter Pasman
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Chios.
Photo: Adri Zellenrath. |
Chios, Agios Georgios.
Photo: Ruud van Os
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Chios.
Photo: Ad van Gool
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Chios.
Foto: Adri Zellenrath.
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Chios.
Photo: Irwan Sastradiwiria. |
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The small harbour of
Langada,
Chios.
Photo:
Peter Wijchers.
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Photo: Irwan Sastradiwiria
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