In Pyrgi, the façades themselves are part of the discovery: their black-and-white geometric decorations are called “Xysta.” Because of their intricate designs, the village is often also known as the “painted village.” Chios brings together such visible traces of local design with Byzantine art, medieval village architecture and mastic culture. The differences are apparent not only from one place to another, but also in what catches the eye: the shape of a village, a mosaic or the pattern on a house façade.
Mastic Culture and Architecture in Pyrgi
The Chios Mastic Museum in Pyrgi dedicates its permanent exhibition to traditional knowledge of mastic cultivation. An outdoor exhibition offers a closer look at the mastic plant and its natural habitat. The museum opened to the public in 2016. Free parking is available; check the relevant details before your trip.
The buildings in Pyrgi also tell different chapters of the story. The Church of Agioi Apostoloi is a well-preserved Byzantine monument dating from the 14th century. While the Xysta adorn house façades with geometric patterns, the church draws attention to the village’s Byzantine architectural history.
Medieval Villages and Their Architectural Forms
Mesta is a medieval village preserved as a monument. Its layout is reminiscent of a castle: the closely packed houses together form a protective outer wall. This structure makes the character of the place apparent in the houses themselves and their arrangement. Mesta’s Carnival celebrations also include the satirical “Agas” court proceedings, which reenact trials from the period of Turkish occupation.
A local taste can also be associated with Mesta: Mesta wine and, in particular, Suma are recommended for tasting. Suma is made by distilling figs and grapes. The drinks and the village architecture offer two very different ways to experience local character—through a traditional method of production and through the form of the medieval village.
In Anavatos stands a medieval Byzantine tower village in the central region of Chios. Visitors can stroll along its cobbled streets. The Church of Taxiarchis is well preserved. The so-called “Three-Storey Building” includes an olive press, a school, a water cistern and the Church of the Theotokos. A single building thus brings together several different functions and structures.
Cultural Landscapes, Routes and Views
Kampos combines settlement and agriculture with a distinctive natural landscape and special local architectural features. Narrow streets wind between citrus groves and country estates with high stone walls, inviting visitors to stroll. Thanks to the low traffic, it is also possible to cycle in the Kampos area; road conditions may change. Cycling on Chios also includes routes around Chios town.
At Nea Moni, history and art take center stage. The monastery was built between 1042 and 1056 and is considered an undisputed masterpiece of Byzantine art. Its mosaics are part of one of three surviving collections in Greece from the Middle Byzantine period. Visitors interested in the connection between architectural history and art will find two closely interlinked aspects of the same monastery here.
The route from Agioi Pateres to Nea Moni begins at Agioi Pateres Monastery and follows an old cobbled road downhill to Nea Moni Monastery. Another set of directions concerns Apolichna Castle: built in 1446, it can be reached from Armolia via a signposted ascent, a short dirt road and a stepped path leading to the eastern entrance. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
Markella, Cave and Beach
On July 22, the feast day of Saint Markella, thousands of people from across Chios, neighboring islands and other parts of Greece visit the Agia Markella area; visitor numbers vary. At the end of the beach, a path leads to the site of the saint’s martyrdom. A hot spring is located in the sea there. Access conditions may change, so it is advisable to check before visiting.
Two more contrasting discoveries await near Olympoi: the developed Sykia Cave has an impressive interior. Kato Fana is a sandy beach suitable for swimming; local conditions may vary. Armolia, meanwhile, has a long tradition of making ceramic vessels, including jugs, vases, pots, bowls and cups. The range thus extends from caves and coastal landscapes to a traditional craft.
Discover more destinations: Volissos, Mestá, Karfás, Chios, Vouno, Nenita, Vessa, Kardamyla, Aghios Georgios Sykoussis, Avgónyma, Vrontados, Emporios, Kallimasia, Thimianá, Pyrgi, Lagkada, Koini Ionia, Psara, Agia Ermioni, Neochori, Kambochora, Paralia Agias Fotinis, Patrika, Limnia.
For the overview of the wider region: North Aegean.
