 |
|
|
|
| HISTORY
Chios's history begins in the distant past. Originally called Makri or Pityousa, it was colonized by the Ionians in the 8th century BC and knew great power and prosperity until it succumbed to the Persians a the end of the 6th century. Athenians, Macedonians and Romans all governed the island in their turn. |
|
 |
|
| Its later history was similarly tumultuous with Genoese and Venetians vying for domination after 1204 until 1344 when the Genoese secured their position. |
|
 |
|
Under the Giustiniani commerce flourished in Chios thanks to its monopoly of the mastic trade. In 1566 it was subjugated by the Turks who continued to give it preferential treatment until 1821. In 1822, however, they devastated the island, massacring the population: the earthquake of 1881 completed the destruction. The island was liberated in 1912. Korais and Psycharis, two outstanding figures in modern Greek letters, were born in Chios. |
|
| SIGHTSEEING
The capital, a bustling town on the east coast, has much to see. The old town with its Turkish neighborhood lies within the walls of the Genoese fortress (built on 10th century Byzantine foundations). Here one can visit the palace of the Giustiniani, the tomb of Kara Ali, Byzantine monuments and the Turkish baths. |
|
 |
|
| Also worth visiting are the Archeological Museum, the Art Museum, and the Korai Library with its collection of rare manuscripts, traditional costumes, and folk art. |
|
 |
|
One of the major monuments on the island is Nea Moni, the 11th century monastery founded by the emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin. I t is one of the finest examples of Byzantine art ad architecture in all Greece. There are many monasteries and churches on the island, most notably: the 7th century church of Agios Isidoros near Volissos, an important example of an early Christian basilica; Panayia of Agrelopos (14th c.) at Kalamoti; |
|
| Agios Ioannis Argentis (14th c.) at Katarrakti; and the monastery of the Taxiarchs also at Kalamoti. |
|
| Excavations have unearthed ancient sites at Emborio, Kato Fana and Lagada. Near Vrontado is a monument associated with Homer who is said by some sources to have been born on Chios. Called "daskalopetra" (teaching stone), it seems, however, to have been a shrine to Cybele. Unique to Chios are the fascinating mastic village in the south of the island. Walled settlements dating from the 14th and 15th century, their architecture and unusual wall decorations are not even found in the north of island. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Pyrgi and Mesta are the best preserved of these villages and have been declared landmarks. The northern sector is more sparsely populated. Neolithic artifacts have been discovered at Agiasmata, where there are also hot springs. Chios' beaches are accessible by car by boat. Among the best are Kampos, Karfas, Kato Fana and Emborio, hich has black sand. The island's facilities, historic monuments and lovely scenery are attracting more and more visitors. |
|
| INOUSSAI:
(14 sq. km., 703 inh.) is the collective name for the islets lying to the northeast of Chios; only one of them is inhabited and there is a daily boat connection with Chios. These islands have a long naval tradition. Because of their strategic location they were a bone of contention among rival powers. Inoussai has not been developed for tourism, but its lovely beaches, ship owners' villages and Naval Museum make for a pleasant sojourn. |
|
 |
|
| PSARA:
(40 sq. km., 460 inh.) lies north-west of Chios with which it is connected daily by boat. Inhabited since the Mycenaean era, its fortunes have been bound to the sea. Its navy's feats during the War of Independence made it amous, but the Turks burned the island in retribution in 1824. The town with its old mansions, the church of Agios Nikolaos and the monastery of Prophitis Ilias housing rare books and heirlooms are its only landmarks. One can take a caique to the island's beaches and to Antipsara opposite. There are a few inns and rooms in private houses. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
