Kardamyla

Kardamyla is a borough built on the site of ancient Kardamilis, 28 kilometers from the city of Chios. The town is divided into two settlements, which together are the home of approximately 2000 inhabitants.

It is the birthplace of freedom fighters such as Chartoulakis (in the Middle Ages) and Kontanignotis (in the 1821 War of Independence). Two other important citizens of this town were the venerable Nikiphoros, a historian of the monastery of Nea Moni, and Georgios Zolotas, the historian of Chios.

The houses have an deep traditional architecture: Narrow streets, curbstone alleys and covered passages are typical Greek features. The same accounts for the houses mainly built with stone and decorated with flowers and plants. The upper section, surrounding the steep hill, is the older village, whereas the lower village, called Marmaro, is located on the coast, covered by a beautiful bay, around 2 kilometers  away from the old settlement. It has many exquisite mansions, constructed by the numerous seafarers and ship owners tracing their origins back to this place. As a result the people of Kardamyla have always loved the sea, for it is firstly their source of income, and partly their home.

The statue of the Sailor from Kardamyla, sculptured by the artist Apartis, is a distinguishing mark of Marmaro and situated square of the harbor. Walking in the narrow streets of Marmaro, visiting the old villages and seeing its citizens - all these impressions will give one the typical feeling of the island of Chios.

The area is also famous for its many delightful beaches: Nagos and Yiosonas are considered being among the best of all. The area of Nagos is five kilometers from Kardamyla. Some of the features that form the enchanting landscape of the area, are the running water springs, the high maple-trees, the dense vegetation and a a wonderful beach with colorful small pebbles. Apart from this kind of beauty, Nagos is highly suitable for summer holidays, since there are plenty of rooms to rent, cafés, bars and restaurants. One of the most picturesque villages one can also visit is situated at the foot of Pelinaio, the highest mountain of all Chios.

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Kardamyla is a well- know village located at a distance of around 30km from the Chios town, towards the north. Because of its history, it is divided into two settlements. The upper section is also the older village, where people used to hide from the pirates attacking the island on the regular basis. The village is of traditional architecture. Narrow streets, cobbled alleys and covered passages are typical local features, just as typical are the houses with small balconies, mainly built in stone.

Kardamyla is home to approximately 2000 inhabitants in both settlements. Ancient Kardamyla got mentioned by Thucydides (an Athenian historian, political philosopher and general). A quote from him, referring to the Athenian fleet landing in Kradamyli on Chios in 411B.C., we can find on the City Hall building: …and having landed in Kardamyli...’ (“και εν τε Καρδαμύλη αποβάντες”) (Book VIII 24)

The lower village, called Marmaro, 2km bellow, is built in the inner part of the bay, at the head of the large natural harbor. People leaving in the Upper Kardamyla used to keep their boats there. Therefore, the sea became one of the earliest occupations for the inhabitants of Kardamyla. Noticeable maritime enterprises have been attributed to the Kardamylians as early as the mid-19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century their accomplished ventures into steam shipping (a recent evolution of sail ships at the time) resulted in the prestigious standing of Kardamyla. This marine tradition bore fruits: Kardamyla is a significant maritime center and a lot of Kardamylian ship-owners and seafarers are top rank figures worldwide. In recent years, schools and public buildings have been built with donations given by them to their birthplace which resulted in changing village's face: overhauled mansions became as significant part of the landscape as the old traditional houses. Still, the remains of a medieval battlements on the Gria hill and even older ruins (dated in Hellenistic period) can be seen.

Other medieval remains are well preserved churches: the church of the Agios Nikolaos Prinaritis (Άγιος Νικόλαος ο Πριναρίτης) built in the 13th century with frescoes of the 16th century, the church of the St. Luke with marvellous wooden iconostasis and the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary (Παναγίας Υπαπαντής) of 1450 with representative pebble yard. Moreover, the church of the St George is famous for its bell tower and frescoes of the 16th century.

Walking in the narrow streets of Marmaro is a pleasant experience that will make one feel the typical island atmosphere of Chios. Kardamyla itself can be a nice option for a medieval times' lovers as still some of the remarkable remains can be found.