Tinos is an enchanting island that primarily attracts Greeks making pilgrimages twice a year, in March and August, to visit the church of Panagia Megalochari. Most tourists simply admire its port from a ship on their way from Athens to Mykonos. But there are many reasons to stay, from the 40 traditional villages with their cobbled paths, chapels, elegant arches, and white homes to gorgeous beaches and a wealth of water sports.
Tinos Overview
While Tinos may not get the hype its more famous neighbors do, that’s just another good reason to go. It’s only a 20-minute trip by ferry from glitzy Mykonos, yet it’s worlds away in appearance and attitude. Visitors can enjoy its traditional culture, beautiful beaches, and magical villages. The traditional villages are what really make it stand out from the other islands in the Cyclades, like Pyrgos, the center of the island’s marble art. One of the largest villages, it’s located in the northwest region and is renowned as the homeland of modern Greece’s most celebrated sculptor, Giannoulis Halepas, with his unrivaled works made using copper, clay, and marble. There is a marble fountain, dedicated to the 1821 Greek Revolution, marble work on the homes, churches and two museums, as well as an art school for marble sculpture. The picturesque settlement of Agapi is shaped like an amphitheater, set at the edge of a valley, with a creek winding through. One of the island’s most traditional villages, there are arcades and homes with lovely lintels above windows and doors that make it especially captivating.
Tinos is ideal for lovers of art, tradition, architecture, nature and even surfers. Near the fairy-tale hamlet of Koumaros, Kolibithra’s rocky cliffs form a horseshoe-shaped bay that frames a sandy beach that offers a break that makes it popular among Greek surfers.
Tinos History in a Nutshell
During ancient times, Tinos was called Ophioussa (ophis, or “snake” in ancient Greek), due to its significant number of snakes. Ancient Greek mythology tells that the snakes were chased out of the island by Poseidon, the island’s protector. The Neolithic period and early Bronze Age have not provided any major archaeological findings on Tinos, in contrast with the other Cyclades islands. There are have been some findings on the island’s southern cape from the early Bronze Age and mid-Cycladic times, around the 3rd or 2nd century BC, with a fortress wall that can be seen beneath more recent stone walls. Experts believe the first inhabitants were likely Phoenicians, followed by Ionians. Two tombs from the Mycenaean period have been found, as well as around 50 archaeological sites with elements from the Geometric period to the 5th century.
Tinos follows a similar history many of the Greek Islands share. It was ruled by Philip of Macedonia and the Egyptian Ptolemies before becoming a part of the Roman empire in the 2nd century BC. During the Byzantine period, inhabitants moved from the coast to the island’s interior to protect themselves from pirate attacks, experiencing challenging times due to insecurity, fear, and epidemics. Like all the Greek Islands, it was conquered by the Venetians in the early 13th century, though Venetian rule lasted longer on Tinos than any of the other Cyclades Islands. The Venetians held off Turkish attacks with help from the locals, and the island flourished again, in industry, art, and architecture. The Turkish fleet couldn’t come close to the island, and inhabitants were able to build schools, churches and wear their traditional local attire. It was during the Ottoman period that the present-day capital started to develop with commercial and shipping activities. Until 1821, Tinos was the Cyclades economical capital and the most populated island. In 1830, it became part of the Modern Greek State.
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