(Area 195 sq. km. Distance from Piracus 86 nautical miles.
Distance from Rafina 64 nautical miles).Tinos lies very close to the southern tip of Andros. This is the holy island of Our Lady, which in August is swamped by pilgrims who have come to pray in Her church or in fulfilment of a vow. As Our Lady's feast day on 15 Au gust approaches, the church and the town of Tinos become crammed with people, and religious services take place next to the commercial fair being held in the surrounding streets. A line of mountains, whose highest peak is Mt Tsiknias (in the myths the home of the wind-god Aeolus). runs the length of the island. On its lower slopes, walls like the fortifications of old castles divide the terraced fields. The coast of the island is mostly steep, but there are also numerous coves with sandy or pebbly beaches. Among the special characteristics of Tinos are its dove-cotes. These structures developed from simple roosts for pigeons into works of art - and the stone-built fountains to be seen in the villages evolved in a similar manner. Tinos, capital of the island and its port, is where most of the population lives. A broad paved street leads from the harbour to the low hill on which stands the magnificent church of Our Lady. Built in marble from Paros and Tinos itself, the church stands overlooking the
town on the site where a miraculous icon of Our Lady was
discovered. Next to the church is the Gallery of Tiniot Artists
and Modern Greek Painters, which has a very interesting
collection. Close by is the Archaeological Museum of Tinos. It
houses finds from the temple of Poseidon and Amphitrite (at
Kionia beach) and from the Geometric burials of Exo Meria. At
Xombourgo, we can admire the ruins of the medieval castle, on he
south side of which is a sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone.
The interior of the island has been little affected by tourism,
and the 43 villages have retained much of their traditional
character and distinctive vernacular architecture. Among the
most interesting villages are the large settlements of Falatado,
Steni and Pirgos, the latter of which has a museum dedicated to
the sculptor Halepas, the house of the artist Lytras and
numerous marble-sculptors' workshops. Among the monasteries of
the island, many of them built on superb sites, we could single
out that of Our Lady of the Angels at Kehrovouni (Panagia ton
Angelon) which has the appearance of a Tinos village in medieval
times. There are plenty of good beaches, too, notably at Agios
Fokas near the town, Kionia, Porto, Panormos bay, Kolmbithra,
Agios Sostis and Pahia Amos. The lunar landscape at the spot
known as 'Volax', with its peculiar boulders, is probably unique
anywhere in the world. The beauties of Tinos are gradually
making a name for themselves. Although amenities for tourists
outside the town are scanty, they are constantly expanding.
How to get there
By ferry from Piraeus
Information: Piraeus Port Authority, tel.: 01 /422.6000.
By ferry from Rafina
Information: Rafina Port Authority, tel.: 0294/22300.
There are daily sailings from Tinos to Delos.Useful telephone numbers Automatic dialling code: 0283. Police:.22255, 22100 Municipal offices: 22234 Port Authority: 22348 Archaeological Museum: 22670 Holy Foundation of Our Lady: 22256.