Highlights

Discover Chios’ mastic villages, known for the resin produced from indigenous trees.
Study the intriguing black-and-white graffiti known as xysta that adorns Pirgi’s buildings.
Learn the painstaking process of mastic extraction from native trees.
Marvel at Mesta’s ingenious layout to safeguard villagers from pirate invasions.
View the Church of Taxiarches, dedicated to archangels Michael and Gabriel, in Mesta’s main square.

Description

Marvel at the beautifully preserved medieval towns of southern Chios on this enlightening tour. Discover the 12th-century fortified towns known as mastic villages because of their indigenous mastic trees, which produce a valuable resin. Learn that many of them were settled during the 12th-century Genoese occupation, and their architecture reflects their need for protection against pirate invasions. In Pirgi, study the geometric graffiti called xysta adorning many of the buildings, including the main church. You’ll appreciate its black-and-white design, often complemented by splashes of brilliant red from strings of tomatoes drying in the sun. On your way to Mesta, understand how mastic is extracted from trees for use in liquor, cosmetics and other products. In fascinating Mesta, discover houses deliberately built so close together that villagers could skip from rooftop to rooftop, offering a unique method of escape from corsairs. In the main square, you’ll find the impressive Church of Taxiarches, dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Passing through the village of Vessa, reflect on the ingenuity and beauty of Chios’ picturesque hamlets.

Helpful Hints

Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Disclaimer:

This tour includes approximately 90 minutes of moderate walking/standing. There will be some steps and uneven surfaces to negotiate. It is not available to guests who utilize a wheelchair and may not be suitable for guests with mobility concerns, who are cautioned to carefully evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. There are no shopping opportunities on this tour.

Reservas

1.866.585.0942

Horários de Operação

Reservas

800.285.1835

Horários de Operação

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