CHIOS

Chios (Greek: Χίος) is the fifth largest island in Greece, located off the coast of Turkey. The island is called “fragrant” due to the cultivation of fragrant mandarins. However, the fertile island is best known for its production of aromatic mastic. In the past, winemaking flourished here, but this gave way to citrus cultivation. In spring, wild tulips bloom in many places.

And it is precisely the location, fertile soil and mastic that have played the most important role in its history.

Mastic

The Pistacia lentiscus tree is a treasure of the island of Chios. This evergreen mastic tree is widespread throughout the Mediterranean, but only on Chios, and only in its southern part, does it produce an aromatic resin, known as “mastic”. This area is called Mastichochoria. For centuries, villagers have been collecting the clear “tears” of mastic that fall from the cut bark of the trees. Mastic has been recognized for its aromatic and therapeutic properties since ancient times. It is used in oral hygiene, to support the digestive system, in ointments for burns and skin problems. But it is also widely used as an ingredient in cosmetic products and for its great taste and aroma in gastronomy - drinks, sweets, jams, lemonades, liqueurs, ouzo, etc. One of the most popular uses is the world-famous ELMA chewing gum.

In the center of Mastichochoria is the beautifully painted village of Pyrgi. The houses here are decorated with the so-called xysto, which are black and white geometric patterns engraved into the facade of the buildings. The decoration is created by scraping off the top layer of white lime plaster to reveal the darker layer underneath. This traditional technique gives the entire village a characteristic and unique look that you will not find anywhere else in Greece. This makes it one of the most interesting villages in Greece.

In many ways, the island is very different from other Greek islands. You will not find ancient monuments and temples on Chios.

The preservation of the secret of mastic cultivation forced the inhabitants of Mastichochoria to build their settlements and entire villages as fortresses to defend against pirates and other invaders. The growing enemy forces eventually led the inhabitants of Chios to succumb, but the knowledge of mastic cultivation saved the lives of many of them.

Citrus Orchards

The Kambos area in the southeastern part of Chios is famous for its citrus fruit cultivation, especially mandarins and oranges. Mandarins were brought to the island by the Genoese from India and Asia in the 14th-15th centuries. The citrus forest, about 5 km long and 2 km wide, is divided into orchards, surrounded by high walls to protect the fragile trees from strong winds, thieves and curious neighbors. The water wheels of the irrigation systems were powered by donkeys. The Kambos region has been designated a historical monument by the Greek Ministry of Culture, and the Chian mandarin has been granted the status of a protected geographical indication.

One of the orchards now houses the Perivoli Citrus Museum, which you can visit.

Many mulberry trees were also planted in Kambos, which were needed for the breeding of silkworms. Silk production on Kambos provided an important income for the inhabitants and was a source of wealth for Chios for many centuries.

Mythology

According to Greek mythology, the first king of Chios was Oenopion (or Oinopion), who brought grape growing to the island and the production of the best wine of the time, Ariousios wine. The name Oenopion translates as "wine drinker", "rich in wine" or "man with wine". Oenopion was born on Limnos. His father was the god Dionysus and his mother was Ariadne, daughter of the Cretan king Minos.

The story of the giant Orion, the most famous mythical hero of Chios, is associated with Oenopion. Orion was the son of the god Poseidon, who granted him the ability to walk on water, and Euryale, daughter of the Cretan king Minos. Orion was a great hunter and fell in love with Oenopion's daughter Merope. When Orion asked Oenopion for the hand of his daughter, Oenopion commissioned him to exterminate the beasts of Chios. Orion fulfilled the task, but Oenopion broke his word and would not give him his daughter. Orion got drunk and raped Merope. As punishment, Oenopion blinded him and banished him from the island. Blind Orion reached the island of Limnos, where the god Hephaestus took pity on him and told his servant Cedalion to accompany Orion to the east, where Helios restored his sight. Then Orion returned to Chios to kill Oenopion, but he hid underground, so Orion went to Crete, where he hunted with the goddess Artemis and her mother Leto. According to legend, Minos and Rhadamanthus cleared the Aegean Sea of predatory peoples, conquered many of them and installed kings for them. After the end of the reign of Oenopion and his sons, Amphiclus of Euboea ruled on Chios.

Christmas

Chios is an island of sailors, which has influenced the customs and traditions of the island. The inhabitants of Chios used to decorate a ship instead of a Christmas tree at Christmas, which became a New Year's custom. Many children from various villages, especially from Vrontados, started building model ships and comparing their creations every New Year's Eve in the square of Chios. In recent years, the custom has developed into a competition with rules and conditions of participation established by the Chios Touring Club together with the town of Chios.

"Rocket War"

Another interesting tradition of Chios is associated with Vrontados, which is located about 5 km north of Chios town - the so-called "Rocket War" (Rouketopolemos - Ρουκετοπόλεμος).

This tradition dates back to the period of Turkish occupation and is actually a "shootout" between the two largest parishes of the town - Agios Markos and Panagia Erythiani. These two churches stand about 400 meters apart on opposite hills.

The rocket war takes place at Easter. On the night of Holy Saturday, both rival sides launch thousands of rockets aimed at the bell tower of the rival church. It is a unique adrenaline spectacle.

The next day, the rocket hits on the bell towers are added up to determine the winner. Of course, both parishes declare themselves the winners, which is a challenge to repeat the “war” the following year.

Originally, cannons were used to celebrate Easter. During the Ottoman period, when the Turks banned cannons for fear that they would be used against them, the inhabitants replaced the cannons with improvised rockets, which are still used today.

Chios Massacre

On March 30, 1822, during the Ottoman period, a massacre of gigantic proportions took place on the island of Chios.

During the Ottoman period, Chios had a large Greek community that prospered from the cultivation of mastic. For the Ottomans, mastic was a very important product and the privileges granted to it increased the population of the island. In 1822, the population was around 120 000.

On March 11, 1822, Antonios Bournias (a former officer of Napoleon) landed on Chios with two hundred men to incite an uprising against the Turks. He invited rebels from Samos, led by Lykurgos Logothetis, to help.

However, the prosperous ruling class of the island was reluctant to join the Greek uprising, and the vast majority of the population did not rebel against the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan was so enraged by this attempt that he immediately sent a fleet of 7 000 soldiers to Chios. The Greek rebels withdrew from the island without a fight.

The result of the uprising was disastrous.

The furious Ottomans burned down the houses and mercilessly slaughtered all children under 3 years of age, all men over 12 years of age, and all women over 40 years of age, except those who were willing to convert to Islam. The rest were sold into slavery. However, many of the slaves did not live long either.

It is reported that fanatical Muslims bought slaves for 30 piastres and killed them immediately, in order to earn a place in heaven for this act, as the Koran promises to every "believer" who kills an "infidel". Many women committed suicide during the transport. Young children under 7 years of age, who were not suitable for the slave trade, were tied up and thrown into the sea.

The result of the Ottoman rampage is incredible.

Of the approximately 120 000 inhabitants, around 22 000 survived the initial rampage (around 2 000 children and young women remained on the island, while 20 000 inhabitants escaped by fleeing to the island of Psara, the Cyclades and the Peloponnese). Of the remaining inhabitants, 42 000 were executed and 52 000 were abducted and sold into slavery. Turkish records also mention 1 109 heads of priests, prominent figures and partisans.

Life on the island came to a complete halt after the genocide, and to this day Chios has not recovered from this massacre.

I don’t know how long your vacation will be on this amazing island, but believe me, it will not be enough to see all the beauties of the island. One more reason to come back here again.