Others

Armolia

Location

Armolia is a medieval village but nowadays is almost re-built. A few remaining arches above the narrow roads in the Cener, give you an idea of its original sight. There are still a few remains of old houses, but in compensation for the changes all the new houses have a gardens full of flowers.
The village of Armolia is located on a fertile plain 2 kilometers from Kalamoti and 20 kilometers from the town of Chios. It constitutes the island's central crossroad for the southern villages of Kalamoti, Komi, Pirgi, Emborios, Olympi, Mesta, Vessa and Lithi. The Armolousians have a long tradition in making and decorating ceramics such as: vases, jars, pitchers, bowls and cups, which they decorate with flowers, birds and fishes.

Right at the entrance of the village, there is an artificial lake, which is used for watering the animals and to water crops, and also the workshops of ceramic vessels and jewelry. In the village, the small stone houses, doxharades, skepastra (covered areas), back streets and cobbled roads offer the visitor a picturesque view. Besides, one of the most impressive iconostasis in the island, which is dated in 1744, can be found in the church of Panaghia, adjacent to the village's central church of Agios Dimitrios.

On a hill west to the village, stands the Byzantine castle of Apolichnon, which was built in 1440. There, the Genoese established another remarkable medieval monument, the administrative mansion of the Mastichoria (Mastic villages), which is still preserved.

Elata

Location

Elata is a small but noteworthy village built at the side of a steep hill. It is a medieval village with some well preserved remains, such as the corner towers of its castle and some parts of the fortification. Its inhabitants are mainly occupied with agriculture; they produce mastic, almonds, oil and grapes, among other.

In Elata, there is a high school and the church of Agia Triadha and, near the village, the picturesque beach of Agia Irini. From there you can also access the deserted islands Pelagoniso and Agios Stephanos, which are near Elata and are ideal places for fishing .

Kalamoti

Location

Kalamoti is a traditional village comprised of two stored stone houses and beautiful carved doors. The village has approximately 850 people, whose main occupation is the cultivation of the fragrant mastic and the horticulture in the fertile plain that extends from the village to Komi.

North of Kalamoti stands the medieval tower of Zyvos, which was destroyed during the earthquake of 1881. This tower was the scenery of the representatives' election and of the general meetings of the "Public of Mastic-villages". Near the tower's remains, there is still the Byzantine church Panayia of Sicelia, dated in the 13th century and the home of a beautiful ceramic decoration.

Komi is the enchanting beach of Kalamoti, which in recent years has rapidly become a significant independent sea resort. Besides, south of Kalamoti there is also the significant church of Panaghia Agrelopoussaina, which constitutes a dependent monastery of Nea Moni.

Kallimasia

Location

Kallimasia is the first village which visitors encounter 13 kilometers from the town of Chios. It is one of the island's largest mastic villages, the capital of the Municipality of Ionia, and it is built on a plain where deep green vegetation and olive trees prevail.

Inside the village one can see the remains of the medieval towers, the clean and lively squares, and the well-preserved and impressive churches. It is really worth to visit the Folklore Museum, where visitors will relive the past. There are depicted a tailor's shop, a shoemakeer's shop, the façade of a house and the curtain of Karagiozis (a fictional character of Greek folklore). The project aims to rebuild a traditional city with a square, traditional houses, coffee grocers and places of other profession that were borne in the early 20th century. The Women's Handicraft Association has managed to preserve the area's customs in addition to customs found in other villages of the island, and the Cultural center of the village also contributes to this task. All the itmes and the clothing are donated by inhabitants of Chios Island.

In the surrounding area, there is the nunnery of Panaghia Plakidiotissa, which was built on the remains of an earlier nunnery dated in the 16th century. The area of Aghios Aimilianos, which is 1 kilometer from Kallimasia, has a magnificent beach for swimming.

Katarraktis

Location

Katarraktis is a small fishing village 15 km south of Chios. It is a small, cozy port perfect for sailboats and fishing boats, which at the same time provides the village with fresh sea-food all year long.

The village has a beautiful beach suitable for swimming and also a great number of taverns crowded with people throughout the year. Two of the most famous churches of the area of Katarraktis, built in the medieval period, are the nunnery of Panayia Rouchouni and the church of Aghios Ioannis of Argentis, which closes by the 3rd Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities.

Komi

Location

Komi is located 4 kilometers south of the village of Kalamoti and it is mainly inhabited by Kalamoti's residents in the summer months. During the rest of the year, its few residents occupy their time with fishing and horticulture.

The beauty of this village comes from its beach, which is amongst the loveliest beaches of Chios. Its shallow, warm waters and fine sandy shores are suitable for beach games and sunbathing, making it a special place to spend the holidays. Therefore, there are apartments, rooms to let, restaurants, taverns, bars and discos available to meet all visitors' interests.

Olympi

Location

The village Olympi is 31 kilometers south of the town of Chios and 6 kilometers after Pyrgi. The village has beautiful houses connected to each other forming a defensive wall. The narrow streets, cobbled roads and the rigid but simple architecture are also some other beauties of the village. The villagers' main occupation is agriculture and beekeeping.

The whole village has been designated a listed medieval monument. Skepastra and doxharades are one of the things that one can see here. Very impressive is also the defensive tower of the village, which is one of the few that survives in the villages of Chios.

The wonderful beach of Phana is not to far from the village and it is maybe the most famous beach for the villagers' summer baths. Here there are also the remains of the temple of Phanaios Apollo,  which was founded in the same date as the sacred temples in Delos.

Besides, the stalactite cave in Olympi is estimated in 200,000 years old. This underground cavern impresses visitors with its depths of 57m. Because of its numerous calcite formations (stalactites and stalagmites), this cave of Chios can be ranged amongst the most remarkable and beautiful caves of Greece.The first phase of its development refers to the late Jurassic Era (150 million years ago) while the second phase refers to the Cenozoic Era (about 50 million years ago). The cave's formations are still in a stage of development. For centuries inaccessable for man, the cave was explored in 1985.

Today, the carnival activities in the mastic villages, such as Olympi, continue the Turkish judge trials' charade. This event dates back to the Ottoman Occupation where the Aghas or Turkish official tried the citizens and forced them to pay taxes in mastic. During the carnival season, the man who is dressed as "Aghas" usually mock political officials currently in office and charges them with the legislature they disagree with. This satirical performance is unique to other mastic villages such as Mesta, Elata, Lithi, and others.

Nehori

Location

Nehori is part of the municipality Agios Minas, and located approximately 9 kilometers from the capital of the island, Chios (town), also known locally as Chora. The inhabitants are mainly farmers. The main church is devoted to Virgin Mary and it is an example of the local architecture of the 19th century. The haven of Neochori is beach of Agia Fotia. Near the beach are hotels, rooms and studios to let, taverns, and cafes. The Monastery of Agios Minas overlooks the village from the hill nearby. Today, only 11 nuns live in the Monastery.