\nOn a sunny Saturday we went on another\ntrip to the south of the island, this time to the capital of the\nmastic region: Mesta. The castle-village is located 4 km from\nthe sea where it has a big port and has been added to the\nrepresentative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity\nof UNESCO. In my opinion a decision that is absolutely justified.\nMesta is a charming extremely well preserved medieval village from\nthe Byzantine era and time simply flies by when walking through the\nlabyrinth like streets and discovering cosy corners, hidden old\nchurches, inviting cafes, or little gardens. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSince the village is a castle, the\nstone houses are built one directly next to the others to form a\nprotective wall with only 5 entrances. After getting lost in the\nnarrow streets, we made it to the centre of Mesta with the main\nsquare where you can find a few cafes, as well as the biggest church\nof the whole island: the Taxiarchis church, or church of the\nArchangels Michael and Gabriel. Our trip fell on the day of the\ncelebration of the death of the Virgin Mary, but because of the\nCorona crisis, the main square was rather empty and no panigiri\n(celebration in honour of a saint) was taking place. Only at the\nchurch it was a bit busier and bread was handed out. We were lucky\nenough to meet an old man who gave as a tour through the church\nexplaining the history of the many icons which were donated by\ndifferent other churches from several countries. Two of the most\nimpressive icons were the silver ones of the archangels Michael and\nGabriel after whom the church has been named.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAfter the information loaded tour\nthrough the church, we decided to enjoy some Lukumades and rest in\nthe shade before finding our way back trough the confusing street\nsystem of Mesta to one of the villages entrance gates at the Militas\nwell, which was the spring used and protected by the military unless\nthe village was under attack of pirates so that all villagers had to\nuse the well protected spring. Nowadays, it is a very clam place\nwhere we enjoyed to sit down for a while to relax and enjoy this\nbeautiful trip. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIn the evening it was time to leave\nthis truly charming village, so that we took the bus passing at the\nport and going back to Chios city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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