Tour of Tinos Island
Tinos is a beautiful island in Cyclades cluster and the biggest religious center of Greece.
It is well known as the Island of the Virgin Mary or the Island of Faith.
Every year attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Tinos is particularly famous for its Church of the Virgin Mary (or Panagia Evangelistria), where the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary is displayed.
It is a very attractive island with natural beauties, graphic traditional villages untouched by time, numerous churches (orthodox and catholics), historical monuments, long sandy beaches with crystal waters and hospitable and polite inhabitants.
In the island there is variety of hotel units, apartments and rooms to let providing all comforts, restaurants and taverns where you will taste the delicious local specialties, coffee shops, bars and clubs for your nightlife.
TINOS TOWN
TINOS town is on the east coast of the island, in the bay of the same name on roughly the site of the ancient city, which has continuously inhabited until the Byzantine period.
The houses may be divided into vernacular houses and mansions, depending on the social status of the owner.
Venetian influence is confined to a few marble columns, loggias and relief slabs.
Some of these features are retained in the modern town, too, but many new buildings have also been added as the town has expanded.
Walking in the cobblestone pavements you will meet a lot of small churches and quiet neighborhoods.
In the central roads there are numerous tourist shops with souvenirs, ecclesiastic items and icons.
Along the coastal road you will find many restaurants, taverns, coffee shops, and bars.
VIRGIN MARY CHURCH OF TINOS
A straight street running slightly uphill leads from the harbor to the imposing Cathedral of Tinos dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin and is known throughout Greece as the Panagia of Tinos (Megalochari or Evangelistria).
The church celebrates on 15 August and 25 March with great pomp and ceremony, attracting visitors from all over Greece.
It is a wonderful building, made of white marble, which is the first worthy architectural monument of the liberated Greek nation.
In the main entrance of the grandiose church, on the left side, you will see the miraculous icon of the Virgin, full of oblations.
Right under the central church is the church of the Discovery, dedicated to Zoodohos Pigi.
This church is built on the remains of the Paleochristianic church, dedicated to Saint John.
Near the entrance of the church is the Mausoleum of the victims from the sinking of Elli.
The church’s yard is paved with a mosaic of exquisite popular art and was made in 1833.
VIRGIN MARY CHURCH OF TINOS
In 1822, Pelagia, a nun in the Kechrovouni nunnery, had a vision that led to the discovery of the miraculous icon of the Virgin, which is thought to be the work of St. Luke the Evangelist.
In the following year, the foundations were laid, on the place it was discovered, of a majestic church – a three-aisled, domed basilica with an unusual façade – which was adorned with white marble and had an imposing campanile.
Next to the imposing church is the Art Gallery of Tinian Artists and Modern Greek Painters.
It hosts a remarkable collection of sculptures and paintings from the 19th and the 20th century, made by artists from Tinos.
Tour of Tinos Island
The Archaeological Museum of Tinos contains some important finds from the Hellenistic times to Roman Age.
The museum is situated on the main street that leads to the port and the church of Virgin Mary.
KIONIA
A short distance north-west of the capital is the beautiful coastal settlement of KIONIA, with its crystal clear sea.
Archaeological excavations here have uncovered the foundations of a temple of Poseidon and Amphitrite dating from the 3rd c. BC.
There are a large number of inland villages in the south part of the island: Ktikados, Kampos, Loutra, Krokos, Xinara, Tarampados, Tripotamos, Falatados, Steni, Dyo Choria, Arnados, Triantaros, and others.
These are all traditional villages with authentic vernacular architecture and in most of them can be found dove-cotes, built in their amazing technique.
No other Cycladic island has so many of these, decorated with such imagination. It is not know how many dovecotes exist in Tinos , but they are definitely more than 600.
KTIKADOS
KTIKADOS is a traditional village with an amazing view of the sea arches, white washed cobbled streets, and large houses.
In the village you will see the interesting churches of the Holy Cross, at the entrance to the village, with its remarkable bell-tower and the Church of Panagia Megalomata with its unique marble entrance.
KAMPOS is situated in the center of the island, in a verdant valley. In the village there are two churches: the Holy Trinity, with its exceptional peddled courtyard and Saint Catherine’s church, with its beautiful carved wooden rood screen erected in 1770, during the period of Russian rule, in honor of Catherine I of Russia.
TARAMPADOS is a village built around 1700 and has the most impressive dovecotes of the island.
Tour of Tinos Island
TRIPOTAMOS
The village of TRIPOTAMOS is built between three rivers on the foothills of Mount Exombourgo.
It is one of the oldest villages of Tinos, with characteristic arches, steps, arcades and cobbled alleys.
XINARA is an old village built in the shadow of Mount Exombourgo.
There are two churches worth visiting in the village: the Panagia Rodariou and the church of the Saints Peter and Paul. Both are excellent examples of traditional Tinian architecture.
Between Steni and Dyo Choria is the Kechrovounio Nunnery, which dates from the early Byzantine period. It is a great building, which includes the main church, smaller chapels, as well as ancillary areas and the monks’ cells.
STENI
Steni is the largest village of the island built in the foothills of Mount Tsiknia.
The churches of Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony are remarkable buildings, and there are a number of beautiful chapels scattered around the surrounding countryside: Faneromeni, Agios Dimitris, and Our Lady of the Angels. Dirt roads lead to wonderful beaches at Santa Margarita, Faneromeni, and the pebble beaches at Agios Dimitris.
Tour of Tinos Island
FALATADOS is one of the largest villages on the island with a long history and a characteristic traditional architecture.
At the center of the village, visitors will admire the imposing church of Holy Trinity.
There is also a small collection of popular art. In the village you will see lots of old churches.
Among them distinguish the church of Saint Nikolaos made of marble.
There is a number of working wine presses and raki-stills in the village.
ARNADOS is a picturesque village built on the slopes of mount Kechrovouni.
It is renowned for its magnificent arches of the medieval era and the paved streets.
At Xobourgo in the heart of the island, 3 kilometers from Steni, are preserved the remains of a Venetian castle built by the conquerors in the 13th c.
The head village of KOMI, at almost the center of the island, is set amidst lush greenery and it is famous for its traditional architecture.
To the north-west is the beautiful village of KALLONI, with some interesting old houses.
Tour of Tinos Island
A road leading northwards from Kalloni ends at the double bay of Kolimbithra, with its sandy beach.
Near Kalloni are the picturesque villages of KARDIANI and YSTERNIA.
KARDIANI YSTERNIA PYRGOS
Ysternia is one of the most beautiful traditional villages of Tinos with marble paved streets, arches and two storey houses with beautiful yards.
The residents of the village work with the sculpture of marbles.
The village is really “the balcony to the Aegean” with its breath taking view towards Syros.
It is worth visiting the church of Agia Paraskevi with its delicate temple made of marble.
Kardiani is a verdant village with running waters and characteristic architecture: beautiful two—storey houses with stairs and small yards. It is worth visiting the church of the Holy Trinity and of the Assumption of the Virgin.
PYRGOS, further north, is the biggest village of the island and the birthplace of the sculptor Giannoulis Halepas, whose house has been converted into a museum containing relics and sculptures by him. There is also a School of Fine Arts in the village.
TINOS BEACHES
AGIOS PETROS: A nice, quiet beach with fine white sand and crystal clear waters.
On a rock lies the chapel of St. Peter.
AGIOS ROMANOS: This beach has pebbles, sand and crystal waters.
AGIOS SOSTIS is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island.
Here, you will find plenty of shade from the trees, a very clean sea and fine sand.
The region took its name from the homonym church built close to the shore.
In Agios Sostis you will find hotels and rooms to let of all categories.
AGIOS FOKAS is the largest, the most organized beach of the island and very close to the town.
Near the beach you can find a lot of hotels, rooms to let and a camping site.
DIALISKARI is a very beautiful beach relatively protected from the winds, just after Kionia.
It has fine sand and crystal clear waters.
TINOS BEACHES
YSTERNIA BAY is located about 15 kilometers from Tinos town and 4,5 kilometers from the homonym village.
It is characterized by an idyllic environment.
Ysternia has a small port and pebbled beaches with crystal clear waters.
In the port there are traditional taverns where you will taste fresh fish and local recipes.
KALYVIA is a nice, quiet and clear beach situated about 13 kilometers from the capital.
KIONIA is the most popular and cosmopolitan beach of Tinos.
It is located just 2 kilometers from the capital. Sun beds and umbrellas are available.
In the region you will find numerous taverns, restaurants, coffee shops and bars.
KOLIMBITHRA is one of the most popular beaches of the island and lies about 18 kilometers from the capital.
It is divided in two beaches.
The smaller is more cosmopolitan, organized with sun beds, umbrellas, showers, and a beach volley court.
The larger is more isolated and more exposed to Northern winds.
TINOS BEACHES
LIVADA is an excellent and quiet beach. Its unique characteristics are the shapes from the rocks on the left side of the beach.
PACHIA AMMOS is an exotic beach situated 10 kilometers from the capital.
It has golden sand and crystal clear waters.
PANORMOS is a coastal settlement located at the southwest and 35 kilometers from the capital.
It is built in an amphitheatrical way over a small port.
Around the cove there are many small beaches. The most known are Agia Thalassa and Kavalourko.
TINOS BEACHES
PORTO is a wonderful beach situated 8 kilometers from Tinos town with regular sand and clear waters, protected from the northern winds. You will also find plenty of shade from the trees. Umbrellas and sun beds are leased from the nearby beach bar. In the region you will find hotels, rooms to let and taverns.
ROCHARI is a beautiful, cosmopolitan and fully organized sandy beach.
STAVROS is situated just after the capital, before Kionia.
It is a nice and quiet beach, well protected from the winds with plenty of shade.
Behind the beach you will find numerous taverns, coffee shops and bars.
YIANNAKI BAY is situated 7 kilometers from the capital, below the beautiful village of Kardiani. It is one of the finest and most idyllic beaches on Tinos.
TINOS CIVILIZATION
Tinos is also world-famous for its art as well as its architecture, particularly its intricately-decorated dovecots, marble and stone-brick houses, narrow alleyways and staircases.
The Tinian houses are distinguished for their simplicity and functionalism, the courtyard is always in the front of the house which is comprised of a spacious room and other smaller rooms.
The furnishing of the house is relatively simple.
DOVERCOTES OF TINOS
The Dovecotes of Tinos are admirable and are considered the biggest of Cyclades islands.
They are built on the mountainsides and decorate the landscape beautifully and they are monuments of unique art work, built mainly during the 18th and 19th century.
They spread throughout the island during the period of Venetian rule, were an important source of income for the islanders, who sold both the birds’ meat and their droppings.
The dovecotes are superlative examples of local popular architecture, built by Tinian craftsmen and weathered by winds, rain, and salt off the sea.
They are mainly stone buildings comprised by two floors.
The lower floor is used as storage and the upper as dwelling of the doves.
Basketry is another field that the people of Tinos are involved in.
In the beginning of the 20th century many thousands of baskets were made available in the market to be sold to Smyrna and the European markets.
Another interesting part of the Tinian civilization is the windmills.
In the past more than 80 windmills used to operate. Some survive until today.
Tour of Tinos Island
TRADITION – EVENTS
Many events and traditional festivals are held in Tinos.
The most popular and important is the celebration of the Virgin Mary on August 15 when thousands of pilgrims come to the island to pray at the magnificent church.
On March 25, the festival of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary takes place.
LOCAL CUISINE
The most famous recipes of the local traditional cuisine include: sun-dried tomatoes, loutza (from smoked pork), pichti, fourtalia (omelette), potatoes balls, singlina, sausages and caper salad. Don’t miss to taste the delicious cheeses of the island: volakia, malathounia, kopanisti and gruyere and the delicious local sweets: xerotigana, avgokalamara, macaroons, sweet cheese pies and psarakia.