Chios
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Hospital: + (30) 22713 50100
Chios is located in the North East Aegean Sea. It is known as one of the most likely birthplaces of Homer, and also the ancient mathematicians Hippocrates and Enopides. The island is very close to the Asia Minor coast, only 3.5 nautical miles from cape Pounta to Erythrea Inland in Cesme. It is the fifth largest Greek island (904 square kilometres) with a coastline of 213 kilometres and a population of 54.000.
The main local products are mastic, citrus fruits, olive oil, figs and wine. Chios mastic is a unique product. Apart from the local agricultural products, Chios is famous for its maritime tradition. A lot of Chiots work in the Merchant Navy sector whereas some of the most important Greek shipping companies have been founded by families that come from the island. The town of Chios, called “Chora” by the locals, is the capital of the island.
Sightseeings
Nea Moni (11th Century Byzantine Monastery)
Probably the major historical attraction on Chios is the monastery, Nea Moni, about 11 kilometers from the city of Chios. It was founded in the 11th century when three hermit-monks found a miraculous icon of the Virgin here and they persuaded the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachus to build a magnificent monastery and church on this site.
Panaghia Krina (12th - 13th Century Byzantine Church)
The well-preserved church is modeled on the katholikon of Nea Moni, though on a smaller scale. The relief decoration includes motifs which are known also at Nea Moni. The paintings are products of six different periods, ranging from 13th century to more recent dates.
Village of Mesta
The village of Mesta is the most distant of the medieval villages but it is also the most well-preserved. the form and architecture here is totally unique. The houses are build side-by-side to each-other, so tightly that there are only two entrances to the village. The streets are very narrow, and most of them are covered with arches and vaults. The whole village has been intendently planned and built as a maze, in order to prevent the pirate raiding parties from reaching easily the most important buildings located in the center of the village. The oldest monument of Mesta is the church of Palaios (=Old) Taxiarchis on the north-west part.
Pyrgi
The village is a fortresslike complex of narrow streets, tightly packed houses and arches, with a ruined tower-dungeon at its center. Even more unexpected is the distinctive graffito technique used to decorate the exteriors of many of the buildings: The outer layer of cement is painted white and then geometric shapes (triangles, chevrons, circles, etc.) are scraped away. The church on the main square is truly eye-catching, while off the square is the small church of Aghii Apostoli, with frescoes dated to the 12th century.
Beaches
The sandy beach of
Karfas
Located a few kilometers south of the city, this is perhaps the most popular beach on the island. It offers full services and a wide range of water sports since it is next to an area where some of the biggest hotels of the islands are built.
Near Karfas is also the beach of
Megas Limnionas, which has less fine sand and is more popular to locales. A full variety of restaurants and bars is also offered in Megas Limnionas.
The Daskalopetra beach
Located north of the city, next to the
Homer's Stone ("Daskalopetra"), the place where <Homer> teached according to the tradition. The beach has white pebbles and it is quite popular, although not as much as the
Karfas beach. A few hundred meters from Daskalopetra is the
Lo beach, which is maintained by the local sea-sports club. This beach has sand and it offers some watersports.
Further from
Megas Limnionas to the south are the beaches of
Agia Fotia and
Agios Aimilianos, near the village of Kallimasia. The beach of Agia Fotia has white pebbles and it is larger and more popular than Agios Aimilianos. It also has rooms, restaurants, bars and various services while Agios Aimilianos is more quite. The beach of
Komi is a large sandy beach about 25 kms away from the city.
The beach of
Emborios A unique beach with round black pebbles
("Mavra Volia"). The stones have volcanic origin and the beach is located between the cones of two now non-active volcanoes. If fact there are three large beaches, each in its own small bay.
The beach of
Kato Fana is in the area where the ancient
temple of Apollo was built. According to Historian Strabo, a large Palm tree forest existed there. Today,
only a few ruins from the temple remain next to the sandy beach. There is no habitation near the beach and the road leading there is not paved. Therefore, no restaurants, or any other services are found near, while Kato Fana is ideal for a day-long pic-nic.
The large sandy beach of
Lithi has some common features with the
Karfas beach, while it lacks the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the second. The beach is near the village of Lithi, 30 kms from the city, and there are no big hotels; only a few good taverns serving fresh fish and other specialties. The water is very shallow and warm in the
Lithi Bay, and therefore the beach is, like Karfas, especially suitable for families with little children.
Hotels
"Sea View" 4*+ Resorts & Spa Hotel
Luxury hotel located on the south coast of Chios island. Its position is on the outskirts of Karfas beach with its unique golden sand & has a panoramic view of the crystal blue waters of Aegean Sea & Minor Asia coast.
"Chios Chandris" 4* Resorts & SPA
Situated ideally at the far end of a natural bay that hosts the picturesque harbour, the Chios Chandris has incredible sea views of the endless blue of the Aegean and is within easy walking distance to the Chios town museums, castle, and the lively market place.
The walking distance (just 1000m) from Homerion Culture Centre and (just 50m) from "Maria Tsakos" foundation , with their capability to host conferences and events, gives an extra reason to stay at the hotel.
"Grecian Castle" Hotel, Guest House
The architecture of the complex, which consists of five buildings, follows the distinctive Chiotiko medieval and modern style which contrasts against the well tenderd gardens, overflowing with colorful flowers