Pyrgi

Welcome to Pyrgi!

In the south of Chios, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Chora, is situated one of the most interesting villages of the island. Any visit to the island must include at least a day wandering through this impressive fortified village dating to the middle ages, which is currently listed as a national monument. You can’t help but note the similarities to numerous villages built in Italy, most notably for the paintings and sculptures appearing on the outer walls, with their black and white geometrical design. This type of art form is called Xysta in Greek; you may be more familiar with the Italian term (from which this technique is derived) called Graffito.

The original design of the village was that of a fortress, four corners connected by a central square with the defense tower in the center and all house fronts facing inward. Narrow stone streets add to the charm of the village, most of them so narrow that you could easily cross from balcony to balcony over the street. In the village and worth a visit is the Church of the Apostles, a very well preserved Byzantine church with a denticulated (toothlike) brick exterior and with beautiful interior wall paintings dating to 1665. The church is believed to have been built in the 14th century. The village also has a small folklore museum, with interesting exhibits. On the 15th of August, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a colorful and festive celebration, takes place in the main square.

There are some lovely beaches not far from the village, most notably Karida, Emporio, Mavra Volia, and Komi. Karida is the most difficult to reach, but it is a lovely unspoiled pebble beach just 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Pyrgi, along the road leading to Olympi. Emborio is a small port and picturesque village lying about 9 kilometers ((5.6 miles) from Pyrgi on the east coast. It is noted for its prehistoric, classical and early Christian ruins, and has developed very good tourist services, including accommodation, cafes and tavernas.

Not far from Emporio is the beautiful beach of Mavra Volia, which is actually a succession of three beaches of small black pebbles created by the upheaval, during prehistoric times, of a now extinct volcano. Nearest to Pyrgi, at a distance of four kilometers(2.5 miles), is the lovely beach of Komi. With a long, fine sand beach, good accommodation, a sprinkling of tavernas and bars for a bit of evening entertainment, Komi has become a delightful small resort, offering quiet relaxation and crystal clear swimming.