TINOS

TINOS Island Cyclades

General Information

Tinos island, although it is a very famous Greek destination, it is also the most unknown and unexplored island of the Cyclades group of islands. The island is mostly known for its beautiful and big church of the "Panagia Evagelistria" and its miraculous icon of Virgin Mary which was found in 1822.

Thousands of pilgrims arriving from all over the world during the feast day of Virgin Mary, on August 15th , when the miraculous and healing icon is carried around the city and the harbour.

The pilgrimage in Tinos is similar to the one of Lourdes, in France. Thousands of Greeks Orthodox believers walk on their knees from the harbour to the Panagia Evagelistria church to ask for the protection and favours of the Virgin Mary.

Historians say that this pilgrimage comes from antiquity when the Athenians on their trip to DelosIsland (1 mile from Tinos) had to stop in Tinos and pay their respect to Poseidon and Amphitrite that protected them from the rough seas. The temple, an archaeological site worth for a visit, is near by the well preserved Ancient port. 

Tinos is the most important Orthodox place of worship, but in the same time an important Catholic centre; this mixture of religions arising from the Venetian influence, rare in Greece, gives to the island a particular and unique character.

The hidden beauty of Tinos is in the mainland where 65 white little picturesque villages, more than 800 churches and monasteries, immaculate dovecotes along with the many windmills and beautiful sandy and pebble beaches are the elements that create the wonderful island of Tinos.

Tinos has some of the most beautiful and well preserved villages of all the GreekIslands that are characterised by their unique and traditional architecture. This architecture has been influenced by the Venetians, who once lived along with the Greeks in Tinos. An additional influence arrives from the natural surroundings. The island is full of dovecotes or pigeon houses with a unique marble carving decoration, incredible items of folk art that constitute the trade mark of the island. The facades of the dovecotes are decorated with various forms such as triangles, suns, rhomboids, cypress trees, pierced in the white walls like thousands of little windows letting the light fill the whole building.

Tinos villages built on the slopes of the many mountains are usually surrounded by verdant vegetation and are full of traditional stone houses, amazingly decorated by local craftsmen, built close one to another and surrounded by narrow alleys and arcades.

Fishing villages by the sea, with a traditional Cycladic architecture and alive colours have kept their authenticity. Most of them, with a little port full of colourful fishing boats and small taverns by the beach offer to the visitor the catch of the day.

All houses have for main decoration a semi-circular arch, called “volto” which is placed midway between first and ground floor.  The windows and doors are painted in colours such as marine blue or green and on the top are decorated with marble fanlights.

The amazing Tinos is not only the island of religious faith but also the island of art: some of the most important Greek artists were born here such as the painters Nikephoros Lytras and Nikolaos Gyzis; sculptors such as Phlilippotis, Voulgaris and Yannoulis Chalepas, the  Pheidias of Modern Greece, perpetuate the island tradition in marble-carving until today.

The abundance of suitable materials (white and green marble, slate, granite, etc…) and the amazing beauty of the sunsets and sunrises combined with fine architecture give to Tinos a particular atmosphere and the feeling of being in a painting, surrounded by extreme purity and beauty.

The architectural and artistic treasures of Tinos make it similar to a huge enormous museum of folk art, which keeps the traditions, the culture and art alive. All year around Art Exhibitions and Festivals are taking place in the villages as well as in the magnificent neo-classic building of Cultural Foundation of Tinos located by the Harbour in the city.

Gastronomy is another issue that characterizes the purity, culture and tradition of the TinosIsland. With a self sufficient production of all kind of vegetables and free breading alive crop such as goats and veal, Tinos has the raw material for a fascinating gastronomic experience.  Some of the local delicacies that are symbols of the island are the sun-dried tomatoes, the various cheeses, the pure honey from herb flowers, the caper and the famous wild artichokes of Tinos.

Every visitor is amazed by the beauty and calm of the beaches of Tinos Greece. Long beaches with golden sand, pebble and rocky beaches and little coves are offering their crystal clear waters and their deserted landscapes. A few of these beaches have sun beds, umbrellas, accommodation, restaurants and snack bars.

A wide range of bars and nightclubs can be found in TinosTown, main harbour and capital of the island. The nightlife in the island being rich and varied, all the bars and clubs propose a wide range of music and different, pleasant atmosphere. Bars can be found in the Hotels as well as near by the villages.

Tinos, the island of Virgin Mary, is a hymn to folk art, tradition, and to the quest for extreme beauty, functionality, and perfection. One can enjoy its unspoiled architecture, its picturesque villages, its beautiful beaches and its traditional culture and way of living that is still present.

Tinos is the ideal place for lovers of nature, architecture, art and traditions, and really the perfect answer to these expectations.

You are here: Home TINOS
I accept cookies from this site.