Chios - Southern Coast

Some 30km/19mi south of Chios town, in the center of the villages that produce mastic (mastikhoría), is Pyrgí, a picturesque little place dominated by a Genoese castle. The 12th century church of the Áyii Apóstoli (frescoes) follows the pattern of the Néa Moní, which also served as a model for other churches on the island. Many of the houses have attractive sgraffito decoration. Eight km/5mi southwest of Pyrgí is the archeological site of Káto Fána, with remains of a temple of Apollo; seven km/4-1/2mi southeast is the site of Emborió. A road runs northwest from Pyrgí to the port of Ayía Anastasía or Basalimáni (43km/27mi from Chios town), from which we can return to Chios by way of Eláta and the medieval village of Vésa.