The word “Agapi” means “Love” and the village is named after its trademark the Catholic church of St. Agapitos. One of the oldest villages in Tinos, Agapi is a traditional settlement with stone houses, narrow alleys and impressive archways.
It is built on the slopes of a hill, next to a verdurous gorge with a large number of dovecots scattered out on its river banks. The view when approaching the village is truly astonishing.
One of the less touristic settlements, Agapi is somewhat of a hidden gem, waiting to be discovered by those willing to explore Tinos beyond the obvious, well-known landmarks.
Panormos is a charming fishing village in the north of Tinos and the seaport of nearby Pyrgos. Located in a natural bay, Panormos was a significant seafaring spot, being the only harbour in the north of Tinos. A small islet called Planitis (Planet) is almost adjacent to the bay at its northern tip and forms a narrow with the open Aegean sea. An old stone lighthouse, almost 10 meters tall, was constructed here in 1886 and emitted its valuable signal towards seafarers in the North Cyclades.
Today Panormos is a safe port for small fishing boats and cruising yachts, and the village enjoys a rather busy touristic season due to the nearby beautiful beaches and picturesque seaside tavernas and cafes.
Pyrgos, also known as the ‘marble village’, is one of the largest, most beautiful villages of Tinos and the entire Cyclades archipelago. It is the place where many of the greatest Greek marble sculptors were born, and their legacy is evident in the entire village, as numerous houses, alleys, streets, and arches, manifest a distinct artistic flavour.
The decorative displays of the local drinking fountains and the marvelous churches are some of the village’s highlights, as well as its cemetery, which has been adorned throughout the ages with wonderful sculptures. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to suggest that Pyrgos resembles an open-air marble art museum. Visitors can acquire more information about the art of sculpting by visiting the old house of Yannoulis Chalepas (1851-1938), probably the most famous contemporary Greek sculptor and a Pyrgos-native, which is open to the public and exhibits part of his work and other material.
Unsurprisingly, given its beauty and historic past, Pyrgos is a popular touristic destination, and home to many hotels, shops, restaurants, and cafes. Its main square, centered around a beautiful old plane tree is an ideal setting for a coffee or snack. The village is lively year-round, thanks to a vibrant local community and the School of Fine Arts, which is located here and draws on some of the country’s top aspiring sculptors to carry on the tradition.
Steni is a picturesque and rather lively village, the second largest on the island. The inhabitants, both Orthodox and Catholic Christians, coexisted in harmony, during extended periods of time. The folk museum, founded here in 2000, is open during the summer period and contains a big collection of traditional everyday items, among which some old household utensils that were used two hundred years ago.
This church is so famous across Greece and the Orthodox Christian world, that it is usually referred to simply as ‘the church of Tinos’ or ‘Virgin Mary of Tinos.’ Built in 1823, it is an impressive temple, for the creation of which some of the finest marble from Tinos and neighboring islands has been used.
Its fame and recognition stem from the reputedly miraculous icon called Panagia Evangelistria (The All-Holy Bringer of Good News), excavated near the area in January 1823 and still on display in the church. According to tradition, Virgin Mary appeared as a vision on nun Pelagia and revealed the location of the buried icon. It represents a major Christian pilgrimage in Greece, equal to what is Lourdes in France or Fatima in Portugal. Thousands of devoted Christians visit the sacred temple each year, especially on the major feast of the church, on 15th of August, the day of the Assumption of Virgin Mary.
Exomvourgo or Xobourgo is a steep granite mountain situated in central Tinos. It forms an imposing landmark with its rugged, craggy form, overlooking most of the island. Its obvious use as a natural fortress was quickly realized and Xobourgo has been used successively as a stronghold throughout history. The old fortification consists of a Cyclopean masonry wall of which a small part still remains.
During the Venetian era, when pirate invasions became common, the capital of Tinos was moved inside a fortified castle built on top of the mountain. The castle was named St. Helen after the temple built on the peak. Today Xobourgo is a popular touristic attraction both because of its unusual appearance as well as the endless view it offers. It is accessible through designated footpaths beginning from several villages built on its slopes.
One of the biggest villages in Tinos, Isternia (or Ysternia) is located about 20km from the main port and close to marble deposits. The nearby abundance of the precious rock allowed local sculptures to decorate every part of the community with unique pieces of art. The houses, the yards, the fountains, all carry an impressive art footprint, a spectacle that will capture every visitor’s attention and interest. Some of the greatest Greek sculptors, like Vitalis and Sochou, were born in Isternia and a local Museum exhibits their work and biographies. A charming, marble-paved path, links the main village to a sandy beach and the seaside part, known as Isternia Bay.
