Armolia

Armolia is used to be a medieval village, which has been restored almost completely. A few remaining arches above the narrow roads in the center give the visitor an idea of its original appearance.

There are still a few remains of the old houses, but in compensation for the changes all the new houses have a garden full of flowers.

The village of Armolia is located on a fertile level country, two kilometers from Kalamoti and 20 kilometers from the city of Chios. It constitutes the islands central crossroad for the southern villages of Kalamoti, Komi, Pirgi, Emborios, Olimbi, Mesta, Vessa and Lithi. The Armolousians have a long tradition in making and decorating ceramics such as vases, jars, pitchers, bowls and cups, which they painted with flowers, birds and fish.

Right at the entrance of the village is an artificial lake, which provides the animals with drinking water, and is used by the residents to flush the crops, as well as the workshops of ceramic vessels and jewelry. In the village, the small stone houses, doxharades, skepastra (covered areas), back streets and cobbled roads offer the visitor a picturesque view. Besides this, one of the most impressive iconostasis on the island, which is dated back to the year 1744, can be found in the church of Panaghia, adjacent to the villages central church of Agios Dimitrios.

On a hill west to the village stands the Byzantine castle of Apolichnon, which was built in 1440. There, the Genoese established another remarkable medieval monument, the administrative mansion of the Mastichoria (Mastic villages), which is still well preserved.

To see all the pictures go into our gallery!