"WORK IN PROGRESS" Top 5 Page for this destination Tinos Island by MITNIC

Tinos Island Travel Guide: 139 reviews and 289 photos

86 Nautical miles South east (SE) of Piraeus and 29 Nautical miles North (N) of Paros, Is Tinos, the one of the largest island of the Cycladic Archipelago, after Andros and Naxos, with an area of 197 km2 and a coastline of 114 km. The capital is also called Tinos. The highest mountain of the island is Mount Tsiknias, frequently battered by powerful north winds. According to mythology, Aeolus, king of the winds, lived on that mountain. On Tinos there are some fertile valleys (Livada, Potamia and Agapi) as well as several extremely arid areas, such as the surroundings of the village of Volax, with rounded granite rocks strewn over the barren earth.
Tinos has important mineral wealth (deposits of chrome, lead, iron, manganese, etc.). The island also produces white and green marble, unique in the world. It was used in the construction of Buckingham Palace and in the Louvre. The Tinians have always been farmers and hanged the aspect of their island at the cost of their unceasing labour. The barren earth turned into fields and the construction of stone walls created arable plots of land for increased agricultural production. Today, of course, tourism is an important source of wealth for its inhabitants.
Postal Code: 84200
Tel +30 22830

PORT

At the port

Longitude: 25o 10' 2" E
Latitude: 37o 31' 37" N

The town of Tinos is called "chora" by its citizens and is a small insular township that began to develop during the period of theTurkish occupation. Upon arriving at the port of Tinos, you see two roads. Both of them lead to the cathedral of the Panagia. The one to the left, leoforos tis Megalocharis, is new; with the Town Hall, the telephone communications building and the Archeological Museum. The one to the right is the older Evangelistrias street. Numerous shops are concentrated on it.

Some History

Tinos

Tinos is an island of the Cycladic Archipelago. It is one of the most interesting places of Greece, with great natural beauty and interesting folk lore. It is an important religious center, with hundreds of churches and country chapels scattered over the island. It is the most important place of worship in Greece, with the Sanctuary of Evanghelistria, which houses the miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary.
The island was inhabited from Prehistoric times. Ancient names, Ophioussa, Hydroessa. During the classical period, Tinos had commercial relations with the other islands and the rest of Greece. Particularly important to the island was the worship of Poseidon, god of the sea. In the 2nd Century BC, Tinos was under the domination of Rome. In 1204, the Cyclades Islands came into the hands of the Venetians and Tinos remained under Venetian rule until 1715. It then became a unique Christian oasis among the Cyclades which were all occupied by the Turks. In 1822, a miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary, dated to early Christian times, was found on Tinos. On that very spot, the Sanctuary of Panaghia Evanghelistria was built to house this icon. Tinos then became a religious centre for the whole of Greece. Every year, on the 15th of August, a very important religious celebration takes place and pilgrims from everywhere come to honour the icon of the Virgin Mary.

Last visit to Tinos Island: Nov 2003
Intro Updated Dec 5, 2003
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Reviews (9)

Pirgos Cemetery. Things to Do (9)

The cemetery of Pirgos is well known, attracting many visitors every day, both Greek and foreign, who come to see the... more travel advice

Central Square of Pirgos Things to Do (9)

The central square of Pirgos, with its age-old plane tree, its imposing marble public fountain, its traditional... more travel advice

Pirgos village. Things to Do (9)

This largest village of Tinos, houses the of council of Panormos in its centre. It is one of the most beautiful... more travel advice

Kolympithra bay. Things to Do (9)

Kolymbithra is a settlement nearby village Komi. A bay with two beaches under Ministry of Environment... more travel advice

Travelogues (3)

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Comments (10)

angiebabe Jun 9, 2008 at 3:31 AM Report Abuse

Hi, nice little page - lots of low lying cloud tho!Think my ferry pulled into Tinos on our way from Mykonos to Santorini - got some nice views of a few islands along the way.my 10 days in Greece were FANTASTIC!looking forward to seeing your Morocco trip!
simlys Oct 2, 2007 at 6:42 AM Report Abuse

One of the churches was built by my family, the art school too. The tree in the small square in Pyrgos was planted by Francisco Lyritis. They are present for so many years in the village although none of them is still living there... life is crazy, no?
INSULARIUS Mar 8, 2007 at 7:37 AM Report Abuse

The Volax Folklore Museum is housed on the old "papadiko" house.Papadiko stands for the "priest's or vicar's house".Volax, being a Catholic village, it was a custom for the Catholic priests to stay in a place, adjacent to the village church.
johngayton Jul 25, 2006 at 12:15 PM Report Abuse

Great little page, I just wish I had had more time on the Island, but isn't that always the case?
nickandchris Jan 5, 2006 at 5:22 AM Report Abuse

Happy belated birthday. Enjoyed this page, good to have some tips from a native of Greece.
nomada Dec 7, 2005 at 9:03 AM Report Abuse

Lovely island. Thank you !
suvanki Aug 27, 2004 at 3:30 AM Report Abuse

One of those great moments, when you click onto a page of a place you've not heard of, and you want to go there. Looks very interesting, THANKS!!
kalenderov Aug 27, 2004 at 3:19 AM Report Abuse

cooll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
truus_s Dec 10, 2003 at 1:19 AM Report Abuse

Looks me great now!!It is cold here..Thanks
Aggeliki Dec 4, 2003 at 1:43 PM Report Abuse

its one of the least islands i never have been... strange:)) I have to!