Tinos has a special place in the hearts of the Greeks. A lush, green island in the north of the Cyclades, Tinos shows a more traditional side to the Cyclades Islands, with the gentle Meltemi blowing across the hills, the white washed cubic houses with their dovecotes, and windmills. Around Greece, it is best known as a site of pilgrimage for many of the Orthodox faithful, with thousands coming to the island to visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in August.
The history of Tinos is similar to that of the rest of the Cyclades Islands, with invasions by the Venetians and the Turks leaving their mark on the landscape. The island stayed in control of the Venetians until 1715, longer than any other island, to which the fortress at Exobourgo Hill lays testament. Today, the island is one of the quieter in the Cyclades, with picturesque mountain villages and wonderful beaches, and then in August, the island is over run with those on the pilgrimage.
Tinos Town is centred around the port on the southern side of the island, a small, busy town, with the Church appearing like a crown at the top of the hill. There are many market stalls, tavernas and restaurants lining the streets, there to cater for the pilgrims, giving visitors a lot of choice. Winding your way up the hill, the magnificence of the church comes into view.
The Church of Panagia Evangelistria is home to a miraculous icon that allegedly has amazing powers. In the 1820s a young nun had visions of the Virgin, who gave instructions to excavate the hill behind the town. In 1823, the icon was found, along with the ruins of a Byzantine church and an ancient temple. The icon is on display in the current church, and every year, on 23 March and 15 August, thousands of pilgrims come to pay homage, some crawling the distance from the port to the church. Around the island there are over 700 churches and 40 villages to visit, enough to keep those wanting to explore content. There are also beaches dotted around the coast. Because of its religious associations, the island hasn’t succumbed to mass tourism, allowing to keep much of its traditional feel. To stay away from the crowds, it is best to avoid the island in the middle of August when the pilgrimage is taking place and the town in full to overflowing. Out of these times, it is a charming, atmospheric island to visit where Greece at its traditional best can be experienced.