Chios Island

Chios is one of the islands of the north-east Aegean Sea and it is in a short distance from the coast of Asia Minor (Mikra Asia). It is the fifth largest of the Greek islands. The islands of Oinouses and Psara belong to the prefecture of Chios, too.

Chios is an island with a long history. According to historical sources its civilization has been developing since Neolithic period. Excavations testify that the island went through several phases of civilization.

When visitors approach Chios, they immediately get the sense of nobility.

Since the 14th century Chios has established its personal architectural style, which we can mainly find in the north of the island, in Mastihohoria, in the town center and in the Kampos area.

In the capital city of Chios there are mansions under the influence of Europe and Izmir that indicate a rich bourgeois society.

In the South, in a maze of streets in Kampos area, two and three storey mansions are raised that get the visitor in past times.

Mastihohoria are well fortified due to the need for protection of mastic against the pirates’ attacks.   

In northern Chios, houses are completely different. Mastic doesn’t thrive in the north and the region is mountainous.

Some of the special features of the island are the following:

• Hometown of Homer
• The Sphinx
• Mastic
• The Rocket War
• The small boats on New Year’s Eve

You can get the island either by airplane or by ship.