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CHIOS, the sweet smelling island

The island of the mastic, jasmines and of the intoxicating sweet smells. The island with the gardens and the orange trees.

The island with the stone mansions and the wonderful pebbled yards, the unique medieval villages and their towers.

It was named "Chios", according to tradition, by the nymph Chiona, the daughter of Oinopiona, the first king and settler of Chios from whom learned the secrets of viniculture, in a way himself had been taught by his father, god Dionysus.

According to Ion, however, the name comes from Chios, the son of Neptune, at the birth of whom, too much snow (hioni) fell on the island.

According to another option by the historian Isidoros, the name Chios comes from the Phoenicians and, in Syrian language, it means "mastic".

From time to time the island is mentioned with other names too, but they do not hold. Like "Pitiousa" from the island's pine trees, "Aithaleia" because it was volcanic, "Ofiousa" from the snakes and "Makrh" because it has a long and narrow shape with a direction from south to north.

One of the biggest islands in Greece (fifth in size and 213 Km length of shores), Chios situated on the south- east side of the Aegean sea, very close to Asia Minor and opposite from the peninsula of Erythraia, by which is separated with the homonymous straight or the straight of Tsesme.

A place with a great history, which become a crossroad of big civilizations, the one of most important business center of the Middle Ages and the Turkish domination. It has been a great cultural center in Greece, home of famous teachers and litterateurs like Homer, Adamantios Korais, Neomphytos Vamvas, John Psycharis, Alexander Mavrokordatos, Emanouil Roidh and Lampros Porphyras.

It was admired by the ancient sovereigns, been loved by people from Genoa and Europe. At the start even Turks favored Chios.

All people, who visit Chios these days, are really charmed because the nature stayed pure and clear, it has a sweet, mild climate, clear blue seas and a unique color. It is authentic.

Now, the largest municipality on the island, which mainly lies in the central and east part of the island, municipality of Homeroupolis, and the second in population ( 7500 residents) invites you to meet and tour in the graphic villages and the beautiful beaches.