cultural sites

chios mastic museum – recently-built museum about the agricultural history of mastiha, or mastic gum, the economic lifeblood of the island—amazing views and a cute cafe

holy water of agia markella – the place where agia markella, patron saint of chios, was martyred; they say the rocks still run red with her blood, and the waters are blessed by her sacrifice

vrapidus castle – castle walls surrounding the medieval town of chora abutting the harbor, built when chios was beset by pirates

nea moni monastery – a thousand-year-old byzantine monastery, certified as a UNESCO world heritage site

village of armolia – cute town known for its pottery; good spot for a souvenir!

village of mesta – medieval-era town nestled in the foothills of the mountains on the south side of the island

village of pyrgi – medieval-era castle town, famous for its geometric black-and-white wall art spread throughout the town

mastichochoria – medieval-era village in the mountains where the agricultural practice of lashing mastic trees to draw out their precious sap began