Excursion to Mastichohoria

Passing by the mansions of Kampos with their unique architecture we arrive atArmolia. The first of the mastic villages we will visit. The inhabitants of the village, in addition to the cultivation of mastic, showed special skill in the manufacture and decoration of clay objects, an art that many still practice today. In the village there are small stone houses, alleys and cobblestones. In the central church of the village, dedicated to Panagia, there is a iconostasis which dates back to 1744. Just outside the village there is a technical lake which serves to irrigate the crops.

Boarding the coach and we continue to the famousPyrgi. Much has been written about this village over the years. Here is rumored to be the house where Christopher Columbus stayed during his passage from Chios in search of worthy sailors for his voyages, while there is also the small church of Holy Apostles, replica of the Byzantine monastery of Chios, Nea Moni. It dates from the middle of the 11th century. But the visitor's eye is first of all caught by the elaborate scratches on the facades of the houses in the village. Many call Pyrgi a painted village. It is worth wandering around the village and admiring the designs. In the center of the village dominates the village tower - an imposing construction from the Genoese era.

Our journey continues towards Mesta, an excellently well-preserved Medieval castle village. The architecture of the village with the dense construction of stone houses create the feeling of a labyrinth that transports visitors back in time. The village square is dominated byGrand Brigadier General, while the Old Taxiarchis, which was built in 1412, is also worth a visit. Admirable is the iconostasis of the church - a rare and excellent example of local woodcarving art with representations from the Old and New Testaments.

Our next destination is the Mastic Museum, a real box of tradition and culture of this area of the island. The museum attempts to highlight the cultivation and processing of Mastic.

Our last stop is at its picturesque port Emporios. Nearby is Mavros Gialos beach with its black pebbles, one of the most recognized beaches of the island.

Starting Points:

Our excursion starts from our office, 12 Aegean Avenue. There is the possibility of pick-up from the hotels, after consultation.