Chora the old capital of Alonissos

The Chora or also called Palià Alonissos (palià in Greek means old) is located right on a sinuous hill about three and a half kilometers from the current capital. In the past it was the capital of the island but following a terrible earthquake it was largely destroyed forcing the inhabitants to move towards the sea where Patitiri was born.

A walk in the Chora is a magnificent and fascinating experience, a 360 degree panorama that dominates in all directions, cobbled streets and stone stairs that open onto hidden corners, craft shops and food and medicine shops created with native herbs with a very long tradition behind them, a small square shaded by trees with benches and cafes where you can sit and relax in front of a coffee, taverns with a homemade and sincere flavor, whitewashed houses adorned with colorful flowers and parts of the ancient Byzantine walls over time, old farmyards, that's what awaits you at Chora.

An ancient heart with traces of settlements from 700 BC and the remains of a fortress from 2800 BC, the Kastro whose stones were used by the inhabitants to build their homes, with the arrival of the Venetian domination it was restored and then destroyed before the Turks and the final blow from the earthquake but fortunately something was saved as two access gates the Kastroporta and Paroporti. From the Venetian period we find the governorate palace and the Kasarma the bulwark at the beginning of the walls. Three small churches (originally there were five but the others failed to survive the earthquake) are worth a visit. The largest is the Church of Christo in the main square of the Byzantine era Chora built in the 12th century with beautiful 17th century frescoes, the second is the smaller church of Agios Athanassios and near the fortress. Also from the 12th century with an icon once exhibited in the church of Agios Demetrios which unfortunately was destroyed. At the highest point of the Chora therefore with a crazy view, there is the church of Agios Georgios of an immaculate white where you can get lost admiring the sea and the surrounding landscape.

We advise you to visit the Chora in the morning before about 13.00 as it is then filled with tourists who arrive with the various excursions and cruises becoming a swarm of people and it is impossible to enjoy the magical atmosphere. In the evening in our opinion it is ideal for an aperitif or a dinner perhaps in a tavern on the comfortable end on a candlelit terrace with all the Aegean surrounding you and getting ready for the night.

An enchanted place where despite the massive restructuring done by Europeans who landed by chance in Alonissos they fell in love with this lost island and reborn several times, thus deciding to bring it back to its splendor, sometimes even permanently moving and embracing its lifestyle which still remains typically mountain made of simple things and with the gifts of the earth.

Whether with a car or a scooter if you have decided to be autonomous, or with the local bus, and again on the back of the donkeys that from Patitiri from a path between trees and nature reaches up here,and finally if you are a lover of walk on foot.

A visit to the Old capital is definitely to be put on the list of things to do in Alonissos, do not miss this wonder it would be a great shame for your holidays in Greece.