573. Chios
573. Chios
THE ISLANDS
342
573. Chios, Olympoi, central tower (Χίος, Ολύμποι, κεντρικός πύργος)
573. Chios, Mesta, central tower, reconstruction (Χίος, Μεστα,
αναπαράσταση κεντρικού πύργου)
573. Chios, Mesta, vigla at Leivadia (Χίος, Μεστά, βίγλα στη θέση
Λιβάδια)
separate defensive wall with four “pyrgopoula” on the corners.
The houses are simple, stone-built, cubic structures with two
or three storeys, covered by semicylindrical vaults (“germata”).
They also have restricted arched openings and their terraces are
approximately at the same height, enabling inhabitants to flee
to the tower when in danger. The only yard available was the
“pounti”, at the end of a stone staircase leading from the ground
floor to the first floor. From this yard access to the terrace was
enabled by a wooden staircase. At Pyrgi the external façades
of the houses feature an unusual ornamentation system, called
“xesta” (sgraffiti). Various geometrical themes with continuous al-
ternation of black and white develop in parallel horizontal bands.
This technique was possibly transferred to Chios from Genoa
during the period of Genoese rule (1346-1566).
Vigles
Along the coast of S and SW Chios survive the largest number
of coastal watchtowers, known as “vigles”, throughout the
island. They were established by the Genoese (rulers 1346-
1566) and were part of Chios’ defensive network. They are
small, cylindrical structures with a slope at the base and a sol-
id body; they have only one vaulted room on the top, commu-
nicating with the terrace, which is crowned with battlements.
The vigla was accessed with a ladder through the only door
in the room. Machicolations had been constructed above the
entrance in order to repel invaders. The watchtowers that sur-
vive intact and have been restored recently (2000-2) are those
ones at Livadia (16), at the cove of Pasha Limani at Mesta, and
at the cove of Trachili at Lithio (13).
