"Pyrgos of Art"

It is the largest village of Tinos, located in the northwestern part of the island, 25km from the port of Tinos.

Declared traditional settlement, and one of the most picturesque villages of the Cyclades.

The name is due to the Venetian tower that was built in the 16th century, for the defense of the area.

It is an artistic center that highlighted many of the most important Greek artists.

The sculptors Giannoulis Halepas, Dimitrios Filippotis, Giannis Voulgaris and the painter Nikiforos Lytras come from Pyrgos.

In 2015 Tinian marble art was included in the UNESCO list, with the characteristic manifestations of the intangible cultural wealth of humanity and the whole village was designated as an open museum.

The School of Fine Arts operates in Pyrgos, continuing the marble tradition, with students from all over the country. One can visit the museum of marble art, the museum of Tinian artists, the museum (house) of Giannoulis Halepas.

Walking through the narrow streets of the village, you can't help but admire the marble that adorns the facades of houses, portios, infrared, columns, coats of arms and perforated skylights.

Its jewel is the village square, with the marble Fountain, the centuries-old Platanos, in the shade of which you can taste delicious local sweets and interconnected memories from yesterday

Sanctuary of Poseidon and Amphitrite, dedicated to the worship of Poseidon and his wife. It is located at a distance of 3 km, west of the country.

The first excavations were carried out in 1902-1903-1905 by Belgian excavators, members of the French Archaeological School. The research was resumed in 1973-1978, when it was completed.

Founded at the end of the 4th century BC, it quickly gained pan-Hellenic fame and became a magnet for pilgrims from distant cities in Italy, Asia Minor and Africa.

Historical evidence informs us that Poseidon was worshiped as a miraculous physician, as was Amphitrite, who healed barren women.

In honor of God, the "Posidonia" holidays were held, which included competitions, performances, which took place in the ancient theater of Tinos. The original temple (late 4th century BC) was a rectangular building, which was replaced in the 2nd century BC. from a larger Doric style that housed the supernatural statues of Poseidon and Amphitrite (work of the sculptor Telesinos).

There was also "the Fountain", "the Avaton" or healing room, an altar, a P-shaped building, a 170m-long portico, the platform of Nausios, a semi-circular marble with statues of members of an eminent family of Tinos.

Perched literally on the mountain "Pateles", the picturesque village of Kardiani, the greenest of Tinos.

With stunning views and mesmerizing sunsets, the village is full of cobbled narrow streets. whitewashed steps, magnificent arches, beautiful traditional houses, full of green gardens and flowers.

Enchanting with unspoiled natural beauty, it satisfies every visitor's desire.

With an altitude of 250m. offers a magnificent view of the Aegean and the islands of Syros and Gyaros, as well as Kea, Kythnos, weather permitting.

What stands out is that it is built in the heart of a green ravine, with abundant water, something rare on the island of Tinos.

Giannaki bay of Kardianis is one of the most beautiful beaches of Tinos, with pebbles, shallow beautiful sea... and amazing tavernas.

It has a few umbrellas and natural shade from tamarind trees, an ideal beach for children.

The official script in 1996 was corrected to Hysternia. The name is due either to the many cisterns that existed around the village, or because in the past the village was the last to be crossed by a carriage road.

It developed in the past mainly thanks to shipping and marble work. It was the 2nd most important marble center after Pyrgos. From Ysternia came the sculptors: Georgios Vitalis, Lazaros Sochos, Antonios Sochos, Lazaros Sochos and Ieronymos Kotsonis, Archbishop of Athens and all Greece.

The contemporary sculptor I. Lameras, a fan of G. Halepas with studies in Paris and Greece and with a prize for his work ''Unknown Political Prisoner'' at the London exhibition.

Also, L. Sochos with his work "The Muse Returning to the Acropolis" was awarded at the international exhibition in Paris. From Ysternia a road leads to the sea, to the bay of Ysternia. Resort with a nice beach and fish restaurants.

The old marble-paved road that connects Ormos with Ysternia is a challenge for hikers.

Marble-paved streets of the village lead to the village with its arches, courtyards, two-story houses, decorated with marble lintels.

The Rock that sealed Tinian history uninterruptedly from prehistoric times until the 18th century. A series of settlements surround Xoburgos. In the shape of a hug, nine villages climb on green slopes and ravines. It is impossible to visit Tinos and not be captivated by the granite volume of Xoburgos. Compact and evergreen, it is a witness to the journey through time, from the first colonizations, the continuous raids from the sea, to the conflicts between the Turks and the Venetians for the domination of the Aegean. It was a refuge for the inhabitants as the name (burgo = organized city) testifies.

In 1995, excavations were carried out by Professor Nota Kourou and a deserted ancient city and its cemetery were revealed. From the excavations came to light a place where ancestor worship was performed from the 10th to the 8th century. Also a small sanctuary of Demeter in the 5th century BC. and a cemetery of classical times. It was once the strongest castle in the Cyclades. It was one of the last castles in Greece that fell into the hands of the Turks. In 1715 the Turks blew it up and destroyed it.

The women's holy Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin or "Lady of the Angels", in Kehrovouni of Tinos (altitude 405m.) is a monastery of Byzantine origin, one of the most important in the Aegean.

It impresses because it combines characteristics of a castle and a Cycladic settlement.

Tradition says that three pious sisters, from the village of Tripotamos, saw a strange light every night in the location of Kehrovouni, where there were three churches, the Holy Trinity, the Holy Forerunner and the Taxiarches.

They considered it a heavenly call, they came and monasticized by building a small cell next to each small church. Little by little a community was created, which at one time reached 120 nuns.

The catholicon of the Monastery is decorated with a wood-carved gilded iconostasis with post-Byzantine icons, frescoes and an epitaph of Roman origin. There are about 50 cells of the filogen monks and the cell open to visitors, of Agia Pelagia.

In the area there are 5 other historical churches, the Museum with valuable exhibits of an ecclesiastical nature, a rich library, the abbot with offerings and relics of Saints and the service station for the disposal of the monks' handicrafts.

Saint Pelagia fell asleep at the age of 80, on April 28, 1834.