Vouno

Vouno is a medieval village that is located in the south of Chios Island next to Nenita and 21 km from Chios City. It is surrounded by the beautiful nature – olive and almond trees as well as the famous mastic trees which only grow on Chios Island line the environment. The scent that also arises from the vineyards and the nearby sea combine to a unique experience, a true sensation.

Vouno is one of the well-known villages of Mastichochoria. As typical for these villages it is built far away from the sea. The existence of Mastihochoria is the result of the cohabitation of the residents of the region, caused by the continuous danger of invasions, by pirates, as well as by the desire of the Genovese to control the production and the distribution of the mastic gum.

The name of the village (which means: mountain) comes from the location where it was built, on the hill of the region, a fact which finally saved it from the devastating earthquake in 1881.

There are many churches in the village, Prophet Elias, Saint George, Agioi Apostoloi and Agios Nicolas.

Nearby are some beautiful beaches, ideal for swimming, Lilikas, Komi, Gridia and Vokaria with a small picturesque harbor. The inhabitants of Vouno are mostly occupied as farmers who cultivate the above mentioned plants.

The village itself has partly kept its medieval architecture, with its tall and stone-made houses and the famous connected rooftop-ways called “votes”, which were used in the past as escape routes in case of a pirate assault.

There are also traditional apartments a visitor can rent, as well as traditional and fish taverns, cafes and more. Until 1985, “Mastihari” was the most famous and frequented street of the village. In the afternoons its stone benches were used by around 80 villagers. A little further to the station, there was also the Makri’s cafeteria, which had been operating up to the 80’s. In the past, the Trikyla’s barbershop, the Hatzidaki’s cafeteria with its delicious “kataifia” and the Zisimopoulos’ grocery were operating. 200 meters below there is the main entrance of the village, the famous “Stathmos” (=station).