Tinos

Tinos is a beautiful Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades archipelago. Near islands such as Andros, Delos, and Mykonos, Tinos covers an area of 194.464 square kilometres and had a population of 8,934 in 2021.

The island is well known for its Church of Panagia Evangelistria, famous for a special icon of the Virgin Mary. Tinos also has around 80 windmills, about 1,000 artistic dovecotes, and 50 active villages. Visitors can see old Venetian walls and forts on the mountain Exomvourgo.

Both Greek Orthodox and Catholic communities live on Tinos. The island is also home to many talented artists, such as painters Nikolaos Gysis, Yannoulis Chalepas, and Nikiforos Lytras.

Every year, on August 15th, people travel to Tinos for a special event called the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Many pilgrims walk the 800 metres from the ferry to the church on their hands and knees to show their faith.

History

In ancient times, the island was called Tenos. It had other names too, like Hydroussa because of its many springs and Ophioussa because of its snakes. Heroes from old stories, the sons of Boreas, were said to have been killed there by Heracles.

Map of Tinos by Giacomo Franco (1597)

Later, during big battles, the people of Tinos helped the Greeks fight against invaders. They joined groups like the Delian League and paid taxes to show they were doing well. Over time, different leaders ruled the island, including families from Venice and later the Ottoman Empire.

In more recent history, Tinos was part of Greece's fight for freedom. Sadly, during a celebration in 1940, a ship called the Elli was sunk by an enemy submarine, hurting many people.

Geography

Satellite image of Tinos

Tinos has a diverse landscape with many beaches along its shores, such as Panormos, Kolimbithra, Kionia, Agios Yannis O Portos, and Agios Sostis. The highest mountain is Tsiknias, standing at 750 metres (2,460 feet), and it hides the village of Livada. Another notable mountain, Exobourgo, has a jagged, alpine-like appearance unlike the rounder mountains of nearby islands. Between these two mountains lies the flat plain of Falatados, which is unusual for its relatively level terrain.

Near the village of Volax, the landscape features giant boulders, some as big as buildings. The mountains around Pyrgos contain green marble. Stone is widely used throughout the island, with terraced hills and stone walkways connecting villages. Tinos also has valuable minerals like marble, Verde antico, asbestos, and a granite mine near Volax.

Administration

View of the town of Tinos

Tinos is its own special area in the South Aegean region. It is the only town or group of villages in this area. In 2011, big changes happened to how the government was set up, and Tinos became its own special area, made from parts of an older group called the Cyclades Prefecture. This new setup also created the town of Tinos from three smaller towns: Exomvourgo, Panormos, and Tinos (town).

There used to be something called the province of Tinos. It covered the same land as today’s special area but was removed in 2006.

Climate

Tinos has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The island is also known for strong, dry north winds called the etesians or meltemi winds. These winds blow from about mid-May to mid-September and are strongest in the afternoon. They can be tricky for sailors because they appear suddenly in clear weather.

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

High

14 °C

15 °C

16 °C

19 °C

22 °C

26 °C

28 °C

26 °C

23 °C

19 °C

15 °C

Low

10 °C

11 °C

13 °C

17 °C

21 °C

23 °C

24 °C

21 °C

19 °C

15 °C

12 °C

Precipitation

Winds in km/h

Transportation

Tinos has three ports. One is for fast passenger boats, and the other two are for ferries and speedy boats that take people and cars to places like Mykonos, Piraeus, Rafina, Andros, and Syros.

There is also a small airport, called a heliport, near Aghios Fokas beach, about 2 kilometers from the main town of Tinos. Regular buses help people travel between the town and other villages on the island.

Towns and villages

The village of Volax, postcard from 1907

Some of the towns and villages on the island of Tinos include Aetopholia, Agapi, Agia Varvara, Agios Fokas, Agios Romanos, and many more. Here are a few you might hear about: