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Chios City
Chios Old Harbor |
Welcome to Chios!
The City of Chios is the capital city of Chios Island! Chios (also spelled Hios or Khios), also the main port of the island, sits on the edge of a plain facing the Turkish coast on the site of the ancient city.
It is a large flattish town; its one hill, crowned by a crumbling Genoese castle, the Frourio, has old Turkish houses within its walls. The fortress was built by the Byzantines in the 10th century, to be repaired later on by the Turks and Genoese. A moat of 60 meters, now underwater, surrounded the fortress which had nine towers and, above the main entrance, a Genoese inscription. Outside the castle there is a Turkish mosque.
The rest of the town, centered round Plateia Vounaki (Vounaki Sq.), also bears architectural witness to Turkish occupation, with jutting wooden balconies and occasional mosques. One of these now houses the little museum, with pots and other finds from local sites.
It is a prosperous and wealthy town, with imposing buildings and an active social life. This was also the case in the past. There are Travel Impressions published by travelers in the beginning of the 18th century mentioning that the narrow streets of the town were dangerous to cross because of the glassware thrown out through the windows by festive locals.
Chios Old Windmills |
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Chios Winding Alleys |
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Chios Church |
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Chios Exterior View of Old Church |
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