Tinos

Tinos lies between Syros, Andros and Mykonos and according to mythology was the home of Aeolus, god of the winds, The year 1822 was an important one for Tinos as the famous icon of the Blessed Virgin was discovered, after a nun in the Kechrovouni convent saw it in a dream. She is honoured on the island today as St. Pelagia of Tinos.

Things to see

Tinos together with Panagia of Tinos (Virgin Mary of Tinos) is characterized as the island of Faith. Hundreds of churches and chapels confirm this characteristic. The travelers call it the beautiful bride of the Cyclades. It is beautiful because more than just its natural beauty it presents an extravagant Cycladic architecture at its unique villages. Other than its natural beauty which can be found at all its golden and pebbly beaches, beautiful and aesthetic steeples, churches and houses were built with materials such as granite, marble and schist, that technically decorate the island. Also the sun that showers the island throughout the day offering magical sunsets which uniquely turn violet.

The most dominating feature of Tinos is its basilica Panagia Evaggelistria (Virgin Mary Evangelist). It was built after a nun had dreamt of an icon in 1823, and after searching and digging in the area, it was found, as well as a well of fresh water. The church is situated on a hill in Chora, with steps leading up to it. In antiquity, there used to be a Dionysus temple here.

Pilgrimage is of course not the only reason for going to Tinos. It is a beautiful island, with many little villages well worth visiting. For example Moundatos, Ktikados, Hadzirados, Kardiani, Volaka, with its huge rocks, Isternia, Kambo, Steni and Pyrgo, which is the largest and perhaps prettiest village. In Pyrgo you can visit the workshop of the sculptor Giannouli Halepa as well as the museum of artists from Tinos.

The cave of Gastrion outside Kionia is quite fascinating with inscriptions dating back to antiquity. Here, there are also ancient remains of a temple to Dionysus and Roman baths.

Just like anywhere else in Greece, the nightlife on Tinos has quite a few things to offer. The most places are in Chora, but don't expect any wild partying. Tinos is first and foremost an island for Greek holidaymakers, and they have a much more relaxed attitude towards alcohol.

When to come

The island of Tinos features in modern history with the torpedoing of the Greek cruiser "Elli" in Tinos harbour by an Italian submarine on 15 August 1940-the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin. So the summer is the best season to visit Tinos for anyone who wants to do pilgrim tourism.