In Agio Gala on the west side of Aamani mountain on a rock there is a cave with stalactites and finds from the neolithic age. The cave was always a religious centre.The Church of Panayia Ayiogalousaina, in the entrance of the cave, is a Byzantine monument of the 13th or 14th century AD. Deeper inside the cave is the small church of Ayia Anna.

According to Thoukidides, tradition considers Volissos (or Voliskos) to be the birthplace of Omiros (Homer), and this is where the great poet wrote Vatrachomyomachia which is a parody of the Iliad. From its port, Limia, one goes to Psara by boat. In Volissos there is a Byzantine castle and monasteries with old and very valuable icons.

In Vrondatos, a village with 4000 inhabitants, one can see on the hill the so-called "stone of Omiros"from where there is an exquisite view of the sea. In reality this stone is a remnant of a sanctuary to Rea or Kyvelli, the Great Mother of Gods.

Kalamoti is a medieval village built in the architectural style of the middle ages.

Kardamyla is so unique that a separate section appears below.

Karyes is important for the many monasteries some of them totally ruined during the massacre of 1822.

Mesta is easily the most impressive of the villages built in the traditional style of the middle ages. Here, you can also see the ruins of a temple of Fanaeos Apollo in Fana, built at the same time as the Temples of Dilos in the 6th century BC. According to Strabon here there was a forest of palm trees.

A traditional village Pyrghi was built in a fashion that came from Italy, with paintings and sculpture on the outside front walls of the houses. The whole village is built in the style of the middle ages. It is the birthplace of Gheorgios Theotokas. Here are also the ruins of Lefkonia, a prehistoric settlement of the same era as Troy.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Chios, on the whole, is a very well developed island with tourist resorts, a good road system, buses, rented cars, tourist excursions and ganerally all that can make the life of a tourist easy and allow him to enjoy his stay in comfort and interest. Chios is famous for its masticha, its ouzo, and special sweets as well as for its honey and wine. When in Chios a visitor is impressed by the vibrations of strength from every spot and place one finds oneself. It is true that the people themselves have an inexhaustible amount of physical and moral strength as during their long history they have fought inumerable times with fate and destiny and they have won all the battles. It is not accidental that although these people have suffered a lot, particularly during the Turkish occupation, they nevertheless proved stronger than the circumstances and today big and well known names in shipping, commerce, industry as well as in arts, famous the world over, originate from this small island in the Eastern Aegean, true descendants of Omiros.

Reasearcher / Editor : Lelia Mitsides.
HTML developer Thomas J. Pagonis.
Copyright: " Poseidon, Hellas and the Sea"

Kardamila -- The Maritime Mother

Kardamila (plural) is divided into two sections. "Pano Horio" which is the original settlement and rests under mount Chrias and Marmaro which is built in the center of the bay with the same name.

Kardamila is 28 Km from the town of Chios at the North end of the island. The two villages are surrounded by beautiful beaches such as Vlihada, Giosona and Nagos.

The crystaline water which rolls down as far as the beach tightly embraced by plane trees, centuries old, makes the place unique and ideal for pleasent holidays or mental rest.

However, Kardamila, apart of being a lovely place, is also a very important naval community. 90% of Kardamilians have a marine profession such as crew members of various kinds, especially Sea Masters / Shipbrokers / Naval Architects / Ship's Managers, etc.

This land is the birth place of the largest shipowners in the world: We refer to some names in alphabetical order:

A.Angelikousis / J&M Gemelos / N.Frangos / J.Karras / G.Livanos / T.Lignos / G.Pateras / K.Peratikos / D.Psaros / K.Stravelakis / G.Skarvelis / P.Tsakos / M.Xylas, and many others

Kardamila is called "A Maritime Mother"

The symbol of the town is the "Kardamili Sailor". It is actually the feature of a sailor who is standing on the beach. He lowers his binoculars to face the sight of his country.

Kardamila is the place where the love of the sea is a passion.

By Stella K. Vassilaki, Shipbroker and Member of the Board of Directors
of the Hellenic Shipbrokers Association - Kardamilian
Copyright: Hellenic Electronic Center

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