Tinos, the island of Panagia Evagelistria (Virgin Mary ), belongs to Cyclades Complex. It is the third Cycladic Island in size after Andros and Naxos and it is 195 square kilometers.
Tinos Island was named after its first settler, Tinos . In the ancient times it was called “Ofiousa” (from the Greek word ” ofis” that means snake) because of the large amount of snakes and “Idrousa” (from the Greek word “idor” that means water) because of the abundant running water around the island In Tinos there is plenty of slate, marble and granite.
SIGHTS OF THE ISLAND:
Τhe Church of Panagia Evagelistria (Virgin Mary). The history of the church begins with a vision. In 1822 the Blessed Virgin appeared to a nun (Pelasgia) in the convent of Kechrovouni. The nun was told o a buried icon, and in 1823, after searching, an image of the Virgin was found.
A church now stands on the spot where the miracle-working icon was discovered, and each year countless pilgrims come to revere it.
Numerous reports of miracles of healing rapidly increased the fame of the Church of the Megolohari, with the result that today the sacred icon is the most venerated pilgrimage item of the Greek nation. Panagia Evagelistria is celebrated every August 15 th.
Holy convent of Kechrovouni. Its history dates back to the 10 th century and has been closely linked to Tino's church of Panagia Evagelistria. Today, the religious community houses about fifty nuns who live in what resembles, behind the convent walls, a small village. It is an important place of pilgrimage and Pelasgia's cell can still be seen.
Church of Panagia Mary Vrisiotissa. During the course of Venice 's 500-year long domination of Tinos island, Catholism was introduced to the island. Today approximately a third of the population are Catholics, and for them the church of the Virgin Mary Vrisiotissa and its image of the Virgin Mary is their most significant place of worship. The icon was discovered at the beginning of the 17 th century thanks to a vision axperienced by a reclusive nun. Later the icon was taken to Constantinople and was only returned to the church in 1937 after many efforts that lasted 100 years.
The wall of the ancient city. Βehind the church of Panagia, follows 1500 meters lengthwise the old road of Ktikados-Tripotamos
Τhe ancient Temple of Poseidon and Amfitriti. It was built west of the present city in the position of Kionia.
In the beginning of the past century excavations took place and the entrance of the temple, statues, water reservoir and a solar clock made from white marble were found. The exact date of the construction of this temple is not known and it is considered to be before the 5th century B.C.
BEACHES IN TINOS
Agios Ioannis Porto, Agia Kyriaki, Agios Romanos, Agios Fokas, Kionia, Kolymbithra, Panormos, Agios Sostis, Agios Petros.
HOW TO GET THERE
By ferry and catamaran from Piraius, Rafina and Lavrio.