Fall in Chios

 Some random photos from Kampos, Chios!

Minthe: Handpicked herbs from Greece

My grandmother said that “my weapons make me a warrior” to describe that her culinary skills were related on the ingredients she used, to prepare the best homemade Mediterranean food. And here I am today presenting you my granny’s little secrets, the handpicked natural herbs from Greece.

Minthe

 In Greek mythology, Minthe (also Menthe, Mintha or Mentha; Greek Μίνθη) was a water Naiad. She was dazzled by Hades' golden chariot and was about to seduce him had not Queen Pershephone intervened and metamorphosed Minthe into the pungently sweet mint.

Minthe was born when I realized that the most powerful ingredients in my kichten were the fresh and dried herbs I picked from my garden. From these I create delicious meals for my family and friends!

To find our more about our handpicked natural herbs: www.minthe.gr

Byzantine Museum

Built in the second half of the 19th century a moslem mosque in honor of the Sultan Abdul Medjit (hence the name Medjitie). From time to time minor restoration works have been undertaken (consolidation of the lead sheets covering the dome, replacement of the vestibule's roof tiles, freeing the subterranean spaces from accumulated earth e.t.c.).
The building consists of an eblong vestibule and a square domed main hall. It is raised 2.5 m above ground level by masanzy pillarss which support the walls and the floor, thus creating an enclosed subterranean space used as a stroreroom. In the courtyard two small square structures serve as a fountain and as the tickets office respectivly.

In the courtyard one can see architectural (mostly) sculptures of Early Christian, Byzantine, Genoese, Islamic and post-Byzantine (popular art) periods; also Jewish tombstones and five 17th century canons.
In the vestibule, murals by Chomatzas (dated 1734), detached from the Panaghia Krena church; also, Early Christian, Byzantine, Genoese and popular art sculptures.
In the main hall, which is not yet accessible to the public, due to restoration, there are Byzantine and post Byzantine murals, Early Christian, Byzantine, Genoese and popular art sculptures and inscriptions, Post-Byzantine icons, Post-Byzantine and popular art ceramics, fabrics and wood-carvings.
The most important items of the present exhibition are:
- A mural by Michael Chomatzas (dated 1734) depicting three sleeping girls (a scene from the miracles of St. Nicholas). Comes from the church of Panaghia Krena.
- Two marble door lintels depicting St. George killing the dragon, in high relief.Genoese work of the Renaissance period.

12 Kanari, Vounaki Square, Τ.Κ. 82100, Chios (Prefecture of Hios)

Telephone: +30 2710 26866

Koraes Library

The Koraes Library is Chios’ central public library. A historic institution whose history goes back to 1792, it is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in Greece. Originally, the library was an annex to the Great School of Chios. Its first collection consisted of books belonging to Adamantios Koraes and other Greek intellectuals from abroad. Following the destruction of the library during the massacre of Chios in 1822, Koraes sent more books to help rebuild its collection. In 1833, Adamantios Koraes passed away. His will stipulated that a considerable portion of his book and manuscript collection be sent to Chios.

In 1881, a devastating earthquake hit the island of Chios. Given the extent of the damage, a decision was made to house the library in its current building. In 1948, Philip Argenti financed the construction of the library’s second floor. Between 1975 and 1978, the building was expanded and modernized in order to house the Argenti folklore collection. Over the years, the library has managed to acquire priceless books, manuscripts, periodicals, newspapers, paintings, coins, maps and other items of great value through donations by eminent intellectuals.

One of the library’s most valuable treasures is the Description de l’Égypte, a series of 14 illustrated volumes, published between 1809 and 1822, donated by Napoleon in honour of Adamantios Koraes.

Born in 1748, Adamantios Koraes studied medicine at Montpellier in France and moved to Paris in 1788. Koraes never practiced medicine. Instead, he became a brilliant philologist and one of the intellectual instigators of the 1821 Greek Revolution. His motherland, which was under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire, and his beloved Chios were constantly on his mind.

Opening Hours:

Library

Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm

Friday evening 5 pm to 8 pm

Saturday 9 am to 2 pm

Circulation Desk

Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm

Friday evening 5 pm to 8 pm

Saturday 9 am to 2 pm

Chios Archeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Chios constructed in 1966-1971 and covers a total area of 2500 square metres.1200 square metres of floor space is occupied by the exhibitions.

The museum underwent renovation in 1998 and reopened in November 1999 and features a collection of antiquities from the Neolithic Era up to the Roman times excavated at the ancient sites of Emporio, Fana, Dotia, Agio Gals and Chios Town. Many of the artefacts unearthed at the sites were dug by the British School of Archaeology.

The periodical exhibition is housed on the third floor and is named “Psara in Antiquity”. It contains artefacts such as vases, gold jewellery, terracotta figurines and funeral gift items. The Psara collection was found at the Mycenaean Necropolis of Archontiki on Psara Island. Of major note is a prehistoric vase found in Emporio, dated back to the 14th century B.C., geometric amphoras found in the town of Chios, dated to the 8th century B.C. and golden leaves unearthed in a grave at the town of Chios, dated back to the Hellenistic period.

Address: Michalon, Chios, Greece

Working days-hours: open: daily, 8:30-15:00 (winter), Mondays closed

Working days-hours: open: daily, 08:00-15:00 (summer), Mondays closed

General Admission: 2€

Tel: +302271044239

Chios Bikeride

Unveil Kambos’ secrets.
Every Wednesday and Friday we ride our bikes scrolling around the history and the essence of Kambos, Chios. Reserve one of our bikes and call us to arrange a round trip transfer from/to your hotel. Ride ends with a traditional Greek “meze” dinner.
Limited groups, English speaking ride with appointment only!

call us: +30 6947 315 709

email us: info [at] realchios.gr

http://ChiosBikeRide.realchios.gr

Your Chios Wedding

With its unique character, Chios is the perfect spot for romantic weddings and memorable honeymoon. A treasured wedding location for couples to begin your new life together! For more information on Your Chios Wedding: 

 Joanna Loukaki

Event-gr | Weddings and Special Events in Greece

Thymiana, Chios 82100 Greece

t: +30 22710 30201  m: +30 6972038690

e-mail: weddings@event-gr.com

web: www.event-gr.com

Mastic Villages: walk around the castle cities of the island

Villages made from mastic?

Unveil the amazing world of Mastic Villages in Chios(Mastihohória) a fortified village complex of superb beauty. Villages’ existence is inextricably bound with the valuable crystal “tear” shed by mastic trees that grow only in the southern part of the island. The Genovese built this complex in order to offer shelter to the families who lived there and cultivated Mastiha. At some point during their occupation, they also erected strong fortresses to protect this blessed land. The massacre of the inhabitants by the Turks destroyed the economic fabric of this closed society.

The villages’ turbulent history is miraculously reflected on the architecture of the buildings: for defensive purposes the villages were built out of sea sight surrounded by high walls with a central tower – the last resort in case the walls were breached by Arab pirates. The tower had no door but invaders could enter using ladders as bridges thrown from the rooftops. The streets were narrow and dark with blind alleys, which not only confused the invaders but also formed the perfect hideout for the villagers to carefully plan their attacks.

Today only 24 Mastic villages have withstood the test of time, since many of them were destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake that took place in 1881. Some fortress towns are still intact, such as Mestá, Pirgí, Olýmpi, Kalamotí, Véssa, Patriká, Vounó, Eláta and Kiní forming impressive medieval settlements. Recent restoration works on old stone mansions contributed significantly to the embellishment of the landscape recreating beautifully the once prevailing medieval atmosphere.

Mesta is the best preserved fortified village of the complex. Take a walking tour to help you admire the three impressive castle towers, the ancient churches and the magnificent stone houses which are built side-by-side tightly joined together with arches. In Pyrgí you will encounter an outstanding black and white geometrical decoration on the houses’ outer walls only to be found here, the so-called "ksistá".

31 km south of the town of Chios you will encounter the medieval village of Olýmpi. Wander around Kalamotí’s maze-like alleys past two-storey stone houses which proudly stand intact throughout the years. Kallimassiá was almost destroyed by the 1881 earthquake, but you can still discover ruins of medieval towers and rural churches. Enjoy a cup of coffee at the central square and experience the friendliness of the locals, who are only too eager to teach you how mastic is produced according to an ancient practice faithfully followed for the past 2,500 years.

Olympoi Cave

Olympi cave (also known as Sykia cave) is located at the southern part of Chios, 31 km south of the city of Chios and 8 km from the medieval settlement of Olympi. More specifically, it is located at the site of Sykia, between the bays of Fani and Salagona. The cave is found at an altitude of 110 meters and is a 55 meters deep pothole. Amongst rocks and bushes, one may find the natural entrance of the cave which is a small opening of about 2X1 m. It includes a main chamber of about 30 X 30 m that is extended into an elongated part. Perimetrically to the main chamber, cavities have developed that in some cases shape other smaller chambers. The cave extends to a depth of 12,5 m beneath its entrance. The main chamber’s roof is practically horizontal.

Despite its small size, the Olympi cave has an exceptional decoration with stalactites and stalagmites, which classifies it as one of the most important caves in Greece. The extraordinary decoration has inspired speleologists that have given the various formations names such as Medusa, harmonium, cavemen etc. The decoration is usually yellow-reddish in colour. In certain parts of the cave it appears totally white or vividly red, due to the total absence or the large concentration of iron in the cave material.

The large boulders found in the cave are also very impressive. They have resulted from collapses mostly from the roof but also from the walls of the cave. Their size varies from a few cubic decameters to a few cubic meters.

What is more, in certain points one may observe the impressive development of eccentrites (a kind ofspeleothem that develops towards various directions) that seem to defy gravity as they do not develop vertically. This formation can be attributed to capillarity and electrostatic forces.

It is worth mentioning that the Olympi Cave is still active to this day. Thus, special precautions have been taken in order not to disrupt the micro climate inside the cave. A double door system has been placed at the entrance of the cave that protects its interior from possible airstreams. The temperature (18 grades Celcius) and the humidity (95%) inside the cave are practically stable throughout the year while guttation varies seasonally.

The sun rays enter the cave through its entrance and combined with the natural coloration of the rocks (red, yellow and white) they create impressive images that are not easily observed in other caves.

The cave is open to the public…

The Medieval Mastiha Villages

In the south and most fertile part of the island in the only place in the world where mastic grows, there are the 24 mastic villages. Built in the Middle Ages, these villages display exquisite architecture and unique decorative elements, such as the ksistá, “scratched surfaces”, on the facades of the houses in Pyrgi, the biggest of the villages. Ksista are geometric designs scratched on plaster with a technique that is unparalleled in the world. If you are lucky enough, you might catch the plaster workers at work!

South of Pyrgi, there is Mesta, another medieval village, whose stone houses form an impregnable fortress. The village has only one gateway for people to enter and the houses are built so close to one another that locals say the only way to walk around is by climbing over the roofs. Let the locals treat you with “mestoútsiko”, a local wine, and with a drink made of distilled figs and grapes, “soúma”.
Related article: Mastic Villages

Avgonyma and Anavatos

Further to the South is another marvel, “the Mystras of the Aegean Sea”, the ruined byzantine village of Anavatos. Note the unique architecture of the place and stroll through the remains of Byzantine history and the ghosts of the martyrs of the massacre of Chios. Quench your thirst with a local drink under the plane trees in the traditional village of Avgogyma afterwards.

Nea Moni

11km south of the town of Chios lies the most important religious site of the island. Built in the 11th century, Nea Moni (= New Monastery) is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Greece, and is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Some of the most significant mosaics in the Mediterranean as well as a museum are housed here.

In the 11th century AD the ascetics Nikitas, Ioannis and Iosif, who practiced a monastic life on the Provateio Mountain of Chios, had a common vision. It was of the image of the Virgin, insisting that her icon be returned to where it had been discovered, signalling the location where Palaia Moni (the Old Monastery) of Chios should be built.

The devout monks told the exiled Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos about this sign from God. Constantine promised to have the monastery put under his protection, and sealed the promise by giving the monks his princely ring. Immediately after his restoration to the throne of the Byzantine Empire, he erected Nea Moni of Chios, summoning an army of the greatest master craftsmen, marble sculptors and icon painters for this purpose. Since then Nea Moni of Chios has ornamented the heart of the island, 12 km west of the town.

Romanos IV Diogenes, who succeeded Constantine and later Theodora as emperor, always kept the Monastery under his protection. The concern of the throne for the monastery proved constant for as long as the Byzantine Empire was to last.

The “katholikon” (main church) of the Monastery has an octagonal design, which in the 11th century when it was built, was a pioneering architectural feature. Elaborately decorated with semi-transparent white and purple marble, with exquisite mosaic ornamentation, the majestic splendour it exudes makes it one of the most representative samples of the imperial sacred art and architecture.

Within the monastery grounds there are two other chapels, one dedicated to Agios Panteleimon (St. Panteleimon) and Timios Stavros (the Holy Cross). During the period that the monastery functioned as a male priory, women were not allowed access. The two chapels held services for female pilgrims, who were not allowed access to the main church.

The main site of the monastery houses the monks' cells, the refectory (‘trapeza’), which was erected between 1631 and 1637, the underground water cistern (‘kinsterna’), an 11th century construction, and the imposing defensive tower, which was built in the 14th century.

Nea Moni of Chios, its architecture as a whole, the unique relics it houses and the peace and quiet of the surrounding area make it a real treasure in the heart of the island of Chios.

Kampos

Just 6 km from the town of Chios is the traditional settlement of Kampos, founded by the Genoese invaders in the 14th century and currently under the protection of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Genoa and Chios meet stylishly in the earth-coloured mansions of the local aristocrats of the past.

Don’t let the high walls stop you exploring vast orange orchards, tree-roofed alleys and scented gardens. Devastated by the massacre in 1822 and the earthquake in 1881, the old mansions with their enormous gates, coats of arms, and arched windows have been revamped and turned into guest houses, awakening memories of their glory days of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Experience the atmosphere of a bygone age as you stroll or cycle around the settlement’s mansions and forty churches.