HISTORICAL INFORMATION ABOUT KARDAMYLA

The signs of the passing cultures have been scattered all around the area of Kardamyla since the period of Pelasgoi, the Persian Wars, the Roman and the Byzantine Era. This is indicated by the walls and the processed stones, as well as by the dozens of Archaic and Greek names (place-names). The name 'Kardamyli', which was turned into 'Kardamyla' in modern times, is Greek without having a Greek origin. It probably comes from the word 'Kardamo', a vegetable which used to be abundant in the area.

Once in the area there were important historical towns, such as 'Kila', 'Delphini', 'Parvada' and the surrounding villages, all of which together comprise the Kardamyla of today. It is not historically known, when this happened. According to tradition, the inhabitants of the towns and the villages gradually gathered for fear of the pirates in the fortified position, where Kardamyla are situated today, abandoning their towns and villages. In the area, Zeus of Pelineon was worshipped on Mount Pelineon, at the highest point of Chios. It is unknown, when it was replaced by the worship of the prophet Ilias, that is the God of Sun.

The great historian Thucydides also refers to the area as 'Kardamyli', the town in which Athenians landed in 411 BC. In the Hellenistic and the Roman Era, the town played an important role because of its location.

In the Middle Ages, it was destroyed by pirates, resulting to the construction of castles and observation towers by the inhabitants in the area. During the Massacre of Chios in 1822, Kardamyla was also destroyed. It was liberated in 1912 like the rest of the island.

Today Kardamyla is divided into three settlements, 'Kardamyla' (or 'Ano Kardamyla') built at the foot of the Mountain 'Gria', its seaport 'Marmaro' and its extension, the picturesque neighbourhood 'Rahi'.

SIGHTSEEINGS

The churches of Kardamyla are well-known; the church 'Pera Panaghia' with the icons of the previous century, 'Aghios Nicholas Prinaritis' built in the 13th century with its wall paintings of the 16th century, 'Aghios Loukas' with its wonderful wooden iconostasis, the church of 'Aghias Ipapadis' of 1450 with its representative pebbly yard and 'Aghios Georgios' with the excellent church-tower and the wall paintings of the 16th century. In the cultural center of Kardamyla, built on the ruins of the central tower of the castle in 1964, literary and artistic events are often held. On the ground floor, there is a library- study, containing almost 2000 volumes of important and rare books, as well as a religious- folklore museum. In the plain of Kardamyla there are dozens of scattered wells , which were used for the cultivation of citrus trees. On the hills surrounding Kardamyla, one can see the remains of wine-presses, signs of the former rich production of wine in the area.


At the harbor of Kardamyla, 'Marmaro', visitors have the opportunity to see the church of 'Aghios Nikolaos' with its marble iconostasis, the monument of 'The Missing Sailor' on the quay-road, created by the great sculptor Apartis ( photo on the left), the old custom house (a building since the period of Turkish domination), the mansion 'Vassilakis' with its characteristic neoclassical architecture, as well as the windmills scattered along the beach.

On the south of Kardamyla, the bay of Delphini is located, with the islet of 'Tavros at its entrance. A current with abundant clear water flows through the valley of 'Delphini' emptying into the sea. Nowadays, the bay can be partly visited, since there are military facilities in the area. In ancient times, it was geographically important due to its terrain. On the contrary, the mountainous area of 'Kila' near the village of 'Pityos' is at an altitude of 500m , offering a magnificent view of the Island of 'Oinousses' and the Asia Minor Coast. On top of the hill , the ruins of 'The Tower of Kila' are preserved as signs of the prosperity of the area during The Middle Ages.

BEACHES

Near Kardamyla, the beach 'Vlichada' exists in a valley full of olive trees and pine trees. As you go northwards, you come across 'Gialiskari' with its picturesque creek. The valley of 'Nagos" with its dense vegetation, its tall plane-trees and its fantastic beach is situated five kilometres to the north of Kardamyla.Then, the beach 'Giosonas' is surrounded by wild and impressive mountains with sides full of pine-trees and orchards. Finally, 'Ambelos', a small beach with big colourful pebbles is accessible from the main road through a path.