  Tinos is situaded in the Aegean and Sea it belongs to the Northern Cyclades complex. It is the Tinos is very close to Mykonos, which has an international airport and is also connected to Syros, Andros, Paros and Naxos. Dominant elements of the Tinian architecture is the Tinian House, the Dovecotes and the Fountains. The villages have a linear layout and are developed along a cobblestone path. The settlements have great consistency. The villages have either a sea view but are invisible from the east side or are located in the inland. The lack of fortification is very characteristic.third biggest island of the Cyclades after Naxos and Andros. It’s quite close to Athens and very easy to get here. There are many itineraries throughout the day and you can leave either from Piraeus or from Rafina, which is very close to Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport. It takes 2-4 hours from Rafina and 2.5-5 hours from Piraeus, depending on the type of vessel you choose, either a conventional F/B or a high speed vessel. Gastronomy / Local products    The Tinian cuisine has a tradition and history. Taste and quality are the two characteristics. Fresh fish, the famous Tinian veal and local agricultural products are the basis of Tinian kitchen. The island is now one culinary challenge that urges you to accept it. The options are endless: in Chora, in picturesque fishing villages, in traditional villages and modern organized beaches you can enjoy sophisticated food at an affordable price for all budgets. You can choose between local dishes and contemporary cooking, tasty appetizers and Italian cuisine, fresh fish and Tinian omelette with sausages, light appetizers for raki and more sophisticated dishes. All you have to do is choose the environment and type of cuisine Tinos is rich in local products and its local cuisine is quite different from the other Cycladic Islands. It is worth to try the custard-filled pastry called galaktomboureko, the home made pasta with tomato and basil, the local sundried tomatoes, the local cheese called tiniako, the local capers, generously used in salads and in various dishes, the meat products such as louza, siglino, wild rabbit, pigeon cooked in tomato sauce and sausages. Another tasty specialty of Tinos is dishes with artichokes for the island produces a lot of them, of a high quality, especially in the area of Kato Meri. Some of these delicious original dishes are artichoke omelette, artichoke salad, artichoke with liver and rice, artichoke with pasta, artichoke and rabbit and much more. Worth trying are also the delicious local sweets. The excellent thyme honey is a must. The local tsipouro and ouzo as well as the local wine are also great.  HISTORY The history of Tinos is rich and dates back to the ancient years. Neptune was worshiped and Aeolos was believed to be living there. It was also a purgatory for those preparing to go to Delphi. The people were traditionally allies of the Athenians. The fact that the Tinian trireme of Panaetios warned the Athenians for the Battle of Salamis was considered redemptive. Because of its geopolitical position, the inhabitants have suffered from many conquerors until the Middle Ages. This is the reason why the Venetian conquerors made out of Exombourgo a tower that protected the island until the Ottoman occupation. The architecture of Tinos is highly influenced by the period of Venetian domination. It is impressive that the island was perhaps the last part of Greek territory conquered by the Turks, after repeated failed attempts. Even then, life conditions had nothing to do with the conditions of subordination in other parts of Greece. During the liberation war, Tinos contributed significantly to the revolution. More than 12  Tinians were members of the “Friends Society” (“Filiki Eteria”), while the island was a valuable refuge for the persecuted Greeks and refugees. The discovery of Virgin Mary’s holy icon in 1823 (January 30) was considered a good sign for the right of the revolution and has been a blessing for the island ever since. The torpedoing of battleship “Elli” outside the port of Tinos on August 15 1940 was a shock and led to the outbreak of the Second World War in Greece. Sculpture To understand how much sculpture goes back in time, it is sufficient to mention that sculptor Phidias’s father came from Tinos. More than 1000 Tinian marble craftsmen using the chisel tool and Tinian marble, created masterpieces of folk art. You will see innumerable masterpieces all over the island: lintels decorated with ships, fishes, pigeons and trees, coats of arms in marble pediments over the doors, marble fountains, iconostasises and cenotaphs with creations and statues of exceptional art. This unparalleled aesthetic gives the island a unique quality and value compared to the other islands of the Cyclades. The Tinian craftsmen, processed not only marble but wood as well. Well known wood carvers as the carved Chatzinikolos Printzis, Ioannis Kollaros and Ioannis Platis created works such as the canopy of the Resurrection in Jerusalem! Tinian artists Art is in the blood of the Tinians, who show a particular genius in getting inspired from what nature has to offer them. This has led to the emergence of a unique aesthetic that only in this island of the Cyclades can be found. Those who looked for the beauty of Tinos, called it the “island of artists”, while others referred to it as a unique outdoor spectacle of folk art. It’s no surprise that this island, although small in size and population, but rich in artistic tradition and stimuli from the environment, has been the birthplace of many important artists. Giannoulis Chalepas and Nikolaos Gyzis are the most widely known, while many others are also known by their works and achievements.  Agricultural museum of the Jesuit Convent :Here you can see precious utensils of worship, as well as an interesting collection of projectors, made for painted glass panels, contemporary slides and cinema films. You can also admire “Liotrivi” (olive press in its natural form for the production of olive oil) with all the accessories, “patitiri” (special place where grapes are stepped on to produce must), the distiller for the production of raki, various other agricultural implements and tools used in other professions. There is also an exhibition hall, where marble ruins from ancient Greek times and the period of the Venetian domination are displayed.Archaeological museum : Located on the main road leading from the port to the church of Megalochari. You will find a rich collection of pottery and household items from various periods, vases of the geometric period and amphorae and large clay pots and tombstones of the 5th century, found in Exombourgo and in Cavos. Pieces of the Poseidon and Amphitriti temple are exhibited in the courtyard of the museum. In the museum there is also a rare collection of ancient coins of Tinos on display as well as a beautiful mosaic floor found in Panagia. Arnados Ecclesiastical museum Located in Arnados, next to the parish church, it contains valuable old icons of churches in the area, old books, ecclesiastical objects and liturgical vestments. Kechrovouni museum Located inside the Monastery of Kechrovouni, it contains old icons and precious religious objects. The hand made objects by the nuns themselves are very interesting.Museum of marble craft This museum presents the technology of marble, as well as a detailed description of the necessary equipment and techniques used. At the same time, the social and economic context, in which local laboratories were developed, emerges, with the emphasis given on pre-industrial and early industrial Tinos, the main center of modern Greek marble craft. The permanent exhibition includes a variety of secular, religious, tombstones, and everyday original works of marble (lintels, fountains, coats of arms, corbels, shrines, mortars, etc.), clay models and plaster copies, quarrying and marble working tools, machinery, archival material, as well as the richest drawings collection of old marble craftsmen that exists in Greece. Elli Mausoleum Located in Chora, in the Holy Foundation.  Here lie the first victims of the Second World War in Greece, members of the crew of warship Elli, which was torpedoed in 1940 outside the port of Tinos. There are also several items from Elli. Costas Tsoclis Museum The main aim of the Museum is to promote awareness of Costas Tsoclis’s work, so that the general public can be brought into contact with contemporary art. The Museum holds a complete archive of the artist’s works, and television programmes dedicated to his thought and work will be shown daily in a special viewing room. Each year the exhibit in one of the three areas of the Museum will be replaced with another work or works from a different period of Tsoclis’s development, and the exhibits in the other two areas will remain the same, thus ensuring continuity of the Museum’s character while maintaining visitors’ interest by an ever – changing overall exhibition. Poseidon Temple In ancient times, Tinos was one of the most important religious centers, contemporary to that of Delos. In the 5th century BC it became famous as a center of worship of Poseidon, who, besides as the sea god, was also worshiped as a healer. In the 3rd century BC the temple was reconstructed and expanded. At the same time the worship of Amfitriti, wife of Poseidon and patron of feminine fertility, was introduced. Devotees would come to the temple for three main reasons: Travelers to remote destinations rushed to propitiate Poseidon to ensure a fair wind during the journey. The temple of Poseidon was considered equal to that of Asklepios in Epidaurus. Patients begged Poseidon to heal them. They participated in rituals and followed treatments given by the priests of the temple. Tinos was the antechamber of the pilgrims to Delos. Pilgrims had to purify themselves in the baths of Poseidon in order to arrive immaculate to Delos. In the mid-1st century BC the temple starts to decline and in the 3rd century AD it was abandoned, due to the problems of the Roman Empire and the invasions of the Heruli. Today you can see parts of the foundations of the temples, the guesthouse and the bath, and a platform. Among the findings there are several sculptures and decorations of the temple which testify its glory. In the area extensive works have taken place. In order to protect the ancient ruins, visitors move in corridors and wooden bridges. The Tinians retain their customs as something sacred. Besides, many of them stem from ancient religious traditions. Customs and traditions are revived not only in the villages, but in Chora as well. 1st of May : It used to be one of the most popular customs and it is revived until today in several areas of the island. According to the tradition, “Maides”, the floral wreaths that adorn the doors or the balconies of houses, are made all over Greece. In Tinos, on the eve of 1st of May, the young men of every village go out in the streets, “steal” Maides and pots from the yards of the houses, where unmarried girls live and put them in the sills of the church. The next morning, the girls look for their flowers in this place.  Klidonas : Klidonas is revived on the Feast of Aghios Ioannis Fotaras (June 24). The custom refers to a kind of popular divination usually celebrated on that day. A little earlier, each one of the villagers puts secretly an object into the Klidonas, which is sealed when the process is over. On the day of the celebration, all locals gather to unseal it. Each participant takes an object at random. In order to get his/her own back, he/she must recite verses to the person who holds it. According to the tradition, attendees are offered pie and water from a mountain. Today, the custom is revived mainly in Ysternia. Rodaria : It is a special custom, unique throughout Greece, revived on the first Sunday after Easter, during the big feast of Panagia Lakkotiani, in Isternia. Rodaria takes place after the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated in Panaghia, the church which is located just outside the village. According to the custom, all pilgrims have lunch together at a common table and exchange “rodaries” (plural of “rodaria”). A rodaria is a small bouquet of flowers, accompanied by a card with Resurrection wishes. Rodaria reminds the ancient “anthestiria”, the great three-day celebration of the flowers, which took place in Athens in honor of Dionysus, during the month “Anthesterion”.  Undoubtedly, it has something in common with the Christian custom of “agapi”. Lighting the “Kandilia” :A “kandili” (“kandilia” in plural) is a small sized glass, filled with a little water and oil and a wick on top which holds a flame. All orthodox churches have “kandilia”, many of them hung in front of icons. Lighting the “kandilia” in all chapels every Saturday afternoon and on the eve of major Christian feasts or of their celebration day demonstrates the profound faith of the Tinians. In case the chapel has a permanent or temporary owner, his/her obligations include, among others, following the custom. Failing to do so is considered an ethical misconduct, that no Tinian can bear. Sometimes the custom takes the form of a vow. So, many Tinians, as a sign of gratitude, supplication or thanksgiving to a saint, promise to go to the church dedicated to him/her, light the “kandilia” and leave the rest of the oil in its bottle there, so that it can be reused. If the “kandilia” are already lit, they add oil to keep the flame for a longer time. In any case, lighting the “kandilia” always goes together with candle lighting and “livanisma” (burning a tiny piece of black coal with incense on top of it). Offering these three things (oil, wax and incense) is the only Christian material sacrifice preserved since the years of the Apostles. It is highly symbolic and its value is not associated with the material offered, but with the religious devotion of pilgrims. In general, lighting the “kandilia” expresses the brightness of the souls of the faithful. Their flames are likened to the light of the Holy Spirit and the brilliance of all saints, who are deeply rooted in the hearts of Tinians. The table of brotherhood : This is another old Christian custom, according to the rule of Mount Athos, which is revived during the Christmas period in Tripotamos. Every year a family, whose leader is given the title of Kavos, must look after the village church, dedicated to “Isodia” (Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple). Among others, the family must keep the “kandili” placed above the icon of the Nativity of Christ lit throughout the year and the church clean, bear the costs of the Divine Liturgy of Christmas and of the supply of candles and make sure the long candle used in the ceremony of the new year is made. On Christmas at noon, Kavos hosts a dinner at his house, where only men – leaders of families of the village and the priest are invited. The guests bring their fork, spoon, bread and wine with them, tied in a napkin. At the table of brotherhood, Kavos offers plenty of food, which includes soup and boiled veal, braised meat, stews, stuffed vine leaves and other local delicacies. The wine is served in hubcaps, i.e. hemispherical bowls of brass, which are usually used only on that day. After lunch, the priest and some of the diners carry the icon of the Nativity of Christ from the church to the house of the host, singing Christmas hymns. The icon is placed on the table, “antidoron” (small blessed piece of bread) is given, while attendees light candles, similar to those of the morning Liturgy. At that time, the priest names the person who will become Kavos. After that, traditional sweets are offered and the icon returns to the church, while Christmas hymns are sung. On the next day (26th of December) all men are gathered again in the house of the old Kavos to finish off the leftovers of the previous day. Typically, the obligations of the old Kavos are completed at Christmas lunch. However, he must keep the “kandili” lit until the last day of the year. After the Divine Liturgy of December 31, there is a procession of the icon in the village. Today, the list for the title of Kavos includes volunteers until 2025, which indicates the strong interest of the locals for this custom. But in the older years, Kavos was a last minute choice, because people were relactant to assume this responsibility, due to the particularly difficult economic conditions.   |