One of the most remarkable and more visited sights of Chios town is the Castle of Chios.
The castle of Chios is situated adjacent to the main port of Chios and it's east side borders with the sea.
It is really interesting that the castle is one of the few castles in Greece that it is still inhabited although it was constructed during the byzantine era. The castle of Chios is surrounded by a large stonewall structure with various fortifications purposed to defend the enclosed population and properties against naval attack and siege.
The castle of Chios was constructed in the medieval period. It is mostly known for its Renaissance architecture which was established by the Genovese, although the first construction was started by the Byzantines. This model of architecture was followed through further additions and restorations. The Castle is also known for its nine towers in the perimeter of its canal. The Castle was considered the administrative centre of the island.
There are plenty of sights you can visit while wandering inside the Castle such as the prison of the archbishop of Chios Plato, graves of Turkish generals and admirals, as well as the Ioustinianis museum.
Aghiou Georgiou Church (Saint George's church)
Aghiou Georgiou Church is located on the main street of the castle, Aghiou Georgiou (Saint George) street. There was initially a Byzantine church dating back to 10th or 11th century. It later became a Genoan church. Piali Pasha, an Ottoman admiral, converted the west part of the church to the Eski Mosque in 1566. The mosque was reconstructed after 1881 earthquake and became later on the contemporary church of Aghios Georgios.
In the north of the castle region, there are Turkish baths with typical vaulted roofs. Just after the entrance, the Kria Vrisi tank is on right hand. It is a large semi-underground water reservoir with vaults forming four quarters divided by a cross on its roof that are supported by eight shafts. Then Chian press of the time mentions that in 1920 the Mayor of Chios and architect Dim. Tselepidis had set out its cleaning. “The pumping of water was originally performed through a large dome-roofed elevated arcade that was extending all along the eastern part of the tank and later on through a short cistern in its southeast corner.” Professor Char. Bouras mentioned about the tank.