Mesochori Village Karpathos

The characteristic Mesochori village (whose meaning is village in the middle), we find it about 34 kilometers from the capital Pigadia in the hinterland towards the northwest at 150 meters above sea level. It is part of the upper villages of the island together with the villages of Spoa and Olympos.

Still little known is an ancient village in the steep mountains of Karpahtos, perched on the rocks where the inhabitants (there are about 350) among which many centenarians who speak perfect Italian thanks to the occupation during the Second World War of the Italics, preserve its unique identity. Blocked from traffic and immersed in countryside of olive trees, vines and fruit trees, it can only be visited on foot and this means that the atmosphere in Mesochori is extremely quiet and that modernity does not affect the slow rhythms and tradition. It will not be difficult to immediately make friends with some local who will gladly tell you fantastic stories about their island and will be able to give you the best tips on what to see and how to experience it.

The town presents itself with small houses in blinding white lime and stone stairways in the typical Karpathian style, narrow and labyrinthine alleys, courtyards decorated with colorful flowers, small vegetable gardens and when you least expect it, glimpses that nourish the soul on the majestic Aegean because from Mesochori you can enjoy a fantastic view due to its elevated position.

Here time seems to stand still in another era, everything is still authentic and genuine, you can find some typical taverns where you can taste traditional local dishes, some shops and very few facilities to stay but this certainly does not take away the charm that Mesochori manages to give to its visitors. The views of the sea and sunsets here are all to be stored in the drawer of memories and immortalized in a perfect photograph.

In the main square there are three small 18th century chapels dedicated to Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), Stavros (the Holy Cross) and Agios Nikoalos, the most revered saint of the Orthodox religion. Also worth seeing is the church of Agios Ioannis Prodomos (St. John Baptist) which preserves frescoes dating back to the end of the 18th century representing scenes from the life of Jesus' Christ.

Religion in Mesochori is deeply felt and in the highest part of the town you can find the Panagia Vrissiani church built in 1935 right above a natural freshwater spring that flows at the foot of the mountain. A beautiful fountain in the courtyard from which gushes water considered curative and miraculous by the inhabitants. A romantic story revolves around the spring narrating that unmarried women drinking water in the not too distant future will find the man of life by getting married. If you will be in Karpathos on the 8th of September, do not miss the big party that is organized in this beautiful church.

So let's say that you can get to the edge of the village with a vehicle that can be a car rather than a scooter then you can go on foot. Keep the capital Pigadia as a reference point and enter the center of Karpathos towards the north west. You will pass through a dense pine forest to get to the village and only the landscapes that you can admire will be worth the move.

A scenic village where time does not exist and much less stress or frenzy, a break for body and mind where you can find peace even if for only half a day. We recommend that you include it among the things to see in Karpathos, it will be a beautiful trip to discover this fantastic island.