Tinos Villages

The little-known Tinos island is a real pearl for lovers of nature, hiking and those who love to discover the area with all its facets. Paths that pass between cultivated or barren fields where a fragrant Mediterranean scrub grows as it did in the past, small picturesque villages and the traditional dovecotes, one of the identifying symbols of Tinos, most likely imported during the period of Venetian domination still used today to protect and allow birds to nest safely.

An activity undoubtedly an alternative to a lazy day at the beach is to become a very discovery and tour the length and breadth of the island, stopping in the mountain villages to discover the secrets and curiosities. Let's say that the Tinos island lends itself very well to this fun and interesting adventure thanks to its wonderful villages rich in history and breathtaking landscapes. Tinos Villages are considered among the most beautiful of the Cyclades Islands where you can restore the spirit and stimulate the mind as well as delight the eye and the palate.

Here is a small trace of those not to be missed in the most absolute way! Let's start with the Pyrgos village which in Greek means "The Tower". We find it in the north of the island and it is proclaimed as the best in terms of the amazing view it offers. Its name comes from the 16th century Venetian tower built to defend the region given its position which allows you to have a view that sweeps over the whole Aegean. Between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it has its greatest development in the navigation industry and the extraction of marble, so much so that its metamorphic rock with its particular white and above all green colors was exported all over the world to create works of immense beauty . Many artists are natives of the island such as the sculptor D. Fillipotis, or the painter Nikiforos Lytras so much that today it has an important artistic center with laboratories, galleries and schools of fine arts as well as a tradition for working marble. To visit the Museum of Marble Processing where the evolution of the transformation of the material is traced from antiquity to modern times. And yet the house of Giannoulis Halepas a leading figure in sculpture transformed into a sort of museum, and finally the Museum of Artists of Panormos where works by artists of the island are kept. We can say that walking through the streets of Pyrgos, art is breathed deeply thanks to its architecture and works. The main square completely covered in marble with an old plane tree in the center and an inevitable fountain are the navel of this wonderful village. Obviously there is no shortage of small cafes, typical taverns and shops for a special memory. Also worth visiting are the temples of Agios Nikolaos and Agios Dimitrios with precious decorations, the church of the Savior and the monasteries of Kyra Xeni and Kato Monastiri where you can see tombs from the Mycenaean and Geometric eras.

We pass to Volax village a magic of Mother Nature. We find it south of Tinos in a plateau where gigantic granite boulders are scattered. Mythology tells that the stones are the remains of an epic battle between the Gods and the Giants, while the inhabitants think they are the remains of a meteorite that fell to earth. The studies obviously do not agree and classify the phenomenon as simple geological formations shaped by atmospheric events over the millennia. Its name means "rock" (what a combination!) and it seems it was already inhabited for more than 2000 years. A lunar and unique landscape where the main occupation was and still is wickerwork so much so that you can find the craftsmen at work in the shops and why not buy a particular souvenir. Drop by the Folklore Museum and if you're on the island at Easter don't miss the great Catholic feast of the “Maranda” in the Panagia Kalamau. A curiosity, Volaz village is known as the village of poetry because on the walls and doors of some abandoned houses there are famous writings and verses by Hellenic authors.

We continue with the Ysteria village also called "the balcony of Tinos" and you will surely have understood why by yourself. We find it to the north on the west side and its view of the Aegean with the Syros island as a backdrop is nothing short of incredible. One of the largest on the island was already inhabited in the 1600s and then reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century. On the origin of its name there are several explanations, one for the position as in the past the last village from the main road, a second instead for the quantity of cisterns present. From the white houses that become almost blinding during the day, the marble art centers are a must and a visit to the Artists' Museum cannot be missed. Walking through the streets you can observe the large square from 1927, the church of Agia Paraskevi, the church of the Holy Trinity from 1816, the church of Sant'Anna, the old elementary school from 1931 and the oldest church of Tinos, the one dedicated to St. Antansio. To the north, a group of ancient windmills and the Monastery with the church of Katapolianis where the discovery of the sacred image of the Virgin of Evanggelistrias took place. For lovers of the sea, its beautiful bay could certainly not be missing, where one of the most beautiful beaches of Tinos is located.

We then head towards of Loutra town in the south of the island. Its name means "baths" and it is famous for the convent of the Ursuline nuns, a majestic building founded in 1862. An important religious and cultural center where a monastery of Jesuit monks was built in the 19th century with a beautiful temple dedicated to St. Ignazio di Loyola, founder of the order. An interesting folklore museum that collects evidence of objects, documents, tools for embroidery and weaving used by the girls who frequented the abbey. In the courtyard of the Ursulines, various cultural events are organised. Do not miss the 19th century Church of Saint Joseph with its perfectly preserved neoclassical baroque style.

Agapi village (in Greek it means Love), is southeast of Tinos and is also considered one of the oldest. In the medieval period it was nicknamed Passage as the road continued leading to the old capital on Mount Exobourgo. A village that seems almost designed with traditional architecture houses, mazes that confuse the characteristic arches, wells that served as a laundry and natural springs. The valley where it is located leading to the plain of Komi has a stream which was once a great river of Tinos. Moving towards Griza, you can observe small streams of water between the green countryside and the typical pigeon houses. The church of Our Lady stands out, which in the 18th century took the name of St.Agapitou. About four kilometers away is the Sanctuary of Our Lady Vourniotissa, patron saint of fishermen, where the Sacred Icon was found in 1670.

Kalloni is another stop not to be missed. In the center of the island its name in Greek means beauty and in the past it was known as Kellia a term that identified the typical rural houses that formed the settlement referring to the shape of the cells of the monks who occupied the Monastery of Agia Ypomoni in Italian Holy Obedience where the view is wonderful. The area is divided into three parts, the upper town which develops around the church of Agios Zaccaria with its cobbled churchyard, a central part Koulparia and the lower area Kalozados. At the entrance you will find the Heroon, a monument where all the names of the inhabitants who lost their lives during the war of 1912-1922 are written.

Tarabados village is also almost in the center of th Tinos island, more or less four kilometers from the Chora. From traditional architecture made of white houses embellished with marble details, labyrinthine paved alleys, arches that seem to unite the houses with each other, remote medieval churches are what you will find in Tarabados. Its dating dates back to 1700 and since then few things have changed thus making the town almost like a leap in time. The valley that surrounds it is famous for its numerous pigeon houses, some of which are very old. Lose yourself among them and immortalize in splendid photographs the particular structure that represents the local folklore. The scenographic entrance through a medieval arch already gives the impression of being in another world full of peace and made of simple things.

Monastiria is now a deserted country in a wild nature and is located in a southerly direction. The last inhabitants leave it in the 70s thus making it a ghost village. Despite atmospheric events and neglect, today it manages to maintain its unique architecture and its ruins are a perfect journey through time. Peace and calm reigns and reigned here, walking among its ruins one understands how much life there once was. Be careful when you enter the remains, by now they have become home to various snakes and small animals. From Monastiria an old path connects it to the Perastra village and the valley where you can admire the picturesque pigeon houses among rich vegetation.

We could continue for hours to tell you about the numerous Tinos villages, we prefer to leave you the pleasure of discovery which will surely be a journey that will enrich your knowledge of this small island full of surprises.