Tinos Island
Tinos is part of the Cyclades archipelago and is located between the islands of Andros and Mykonos.
An island little frequented by mass tourism but very important for the Greek people as a place of faith that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. It can be compared to Lourdes just to give you an idea, but in addition to mysticism it is also a wonderful, luxuriant part of Greece with lots to see and do.
Its territory covers 196 square kilometers with an elongated shape. It presents itself with rolling hills with the highest peak reaching more or less 700 meters, steep coasts that give life to small bays and inlets that hide wonderful sandy or pebble beaches bathed by clean and crystalline waters with a sea Aegean blue. It is a very windy island, on some days even strong enough that some legends tell that Tinos was the island where Aeolus the God of the wind lived. Tinos is also famous for the extraction of its famous green marble which was used for works such as the Louvre or Buchkingham Palace as well as for some monuments found in Athens and also for its dovecotes, a legacy of the Venetian domination where the symbol doves were kept of the island.
According to Greek mythology, after the feat of the Argonauts who set off on the epic journey to conquer the Golden Fleece, an object that had the power to heal any wound, they stopped on the coasts of Tinos and the two sons of Borias, the personification of the wind North took refuge on the mountain. Borias with his winds strangled Yla, a precious and beloved friend of Hercules who, in revenge, killed the children of the north wind who, when he learned of the death of his offspring, unleashed the wrath of the winds by hurling them against his enemies and is this is why Tinos is constantly lashed by currents. Another myth concerns the origin of its name. In ancient times it was called Oifusa (Ofis in ancient Greek means snake) as it was populated by many reptiles. Poseidon, God of the Sea and protector of the Island after the request of the inhabitants extremely devoted to the God and exasperated by the dangerous snakes that swarmed everywhere, hunted the animals forever thus making life safe for the population.
The first inhabitants were the Phoenicians and the Ionians in 1000 BC and then it was occupied by the Mycenaeans as evidenced by two tombs found in the Kira Xeri area. In the 6th century BC it was conquered by Eretria, an ancient city on the island of Evia but after the Marathon battle, Tinos regained its freedom but its independence did not last long as it fell under the authority of Philip the Macedonian. In the 2nd century BC it was incorporated like all the Greek islands into the Roman Empire and during the Byzantine era the population moved from the sea to the hinterland to save themselves from the continuous attacks by pirates who were a real scourge for the islands at that time . In 1207 the Venetians make their appearance and stay for a long time and together with the islanders they always manage to defend themselves from the continuous attacks of the Turks. This period greatly benefited Tinos, it prospered in agriculture, industry and art. Although the Turks later succeeded in conquering the island, he managed to maintain special privileges and the Turkish fleet was forbidden to approach Tinos and the only Saracens present were the governor and the judge. Even with the Ottomans it grew considerably by increasing commercial and naval activities and until 1821 it was the economic capital of the entire Cycladic Islands archipelago. It contributed to the insurrection against the Turkish occupation and in 1830 it became part of the state of Greece becoming an important religious centre.
Did you know that in 1895 Tinos sports competitions called Tinia were organized which were the preamble to the modern Olympic Games? After so many centuries of abolition of the Olympics, athletic competitions were reinstated which lasted for three days during the period of August 15th, combining them with religious celebrations as happened in antiquity.
You choose to take a holiday in Tinos for tranquility and relaxation, the nightlife is almost none or at least very soft and sophisticated, no Hollywood parties or noise, for the sea, for its culture, for its authenticity, for the cuisine and why Tinos is considered a kind of miniature of the whole Greece where you can find the peculiarities of all the islands.
Symbol of religiosity you cannot fail to visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary Evangelist also called Megalochari (the one who grants graces) in the city of Tinos Town, the capital considered the protector of the entire Hellenic land. It is located on the hill of the Chora built on top of a proto-Byzantine church which was previously an ancient temple dedicated to the God Dionysus, on the ground floor where the Chapel of the Apocalypse is located, the sacred icon was found. The myth tells that a local nun met the Virgin in a dream who told her to find a certain place to build her home and when the woman went to dig in the point that had been indicated to her, she found the miraculous icon of the Byzantine period, it was January 30, 1823. Considered magical above all for the graces regarding health and fertility, every year on January 30, March 25 and August 15 thousands of pilgrims face a very bumpy journey on their knees from the port to the church as a sign of devotion and sacrifice. Even just participating in the ceremony without making the journey gives indescribable emotions.
The capital Chora commercial and tourist center. It has two ports, a new one where you arrive by ferry and the old one where the fishermen's boats and visitors' boats are stationed. The Pallada district reflects the imagery of the classic Cycladic village with narrow alleys, typical taverns, places to stay late and the square with the cathedral of the Archangels from its imposing marble bell tower from 1803. Continuing north of Pallada you arrive at a point wonderful panorama with around the churches of Agios Eleftherios and Agios Nikolas as well as ancient palaces and the ancient faucet, to then arrive at the Malamatenias district where you can stop and eat in one of its delicious taverns.
Tinos is home to many villages that have the classic retro flavor where you can breathe a typically Greek air. Kionia for example with its sandy beaches, Karyani and Isternia in a green part with sources of curative water, Pyrogs capital of marble and sculpture, Panormos typical seaside village with its fresh fish restaurants and where you can admire a dream sunset. And again Tarambados where you can find the famous Venetian dovecotes, Voulax with its round rock formations and where the tradition of weaving wicker baskets is kept and finally Agapi (which in Greek means love) where time is an opinion.
In conclusion, an island with a thousand faces where, however, everything is still genuine, respected and authentic, where you can spend wonderful holidays and forget the daily frenzy.