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Kalamoti

kalamoti

Description

Kalamoti is one of the largest villages of Chios, located at the southeast parts of the island, at the second largest and most fertile plain, 24 kms by the city of Chios. It is one of the Mastihohoria villages, inside which is saved -in good condition - a medieval settlement.

It's name derives from the byzantine word kalamotes, that were used for the production of silkworm, thus reinforcing the opinion that the settlemendt was a center of sericulture.

At the hillfoot of Profitis Ilias in Komi was discovered a settlement of the 8th century bc, but still, are not saved until today solid information regarding the establishment of the settlement of nowadays Kalamoti village.

The medieval settlement was created most likely durring the genoese occupation of the island, when the  scattered villages of the valey were united. From the 7th until the 14th century Chios island dealt with continuously dangerous raids by the pirates. This fact must  have contributed to the practice of fortifications and invincible by the sea settlements, like Pirgi, Mesta, Olimpi and Kalamoti.  As far as Kalamoti's later transformation is concerned, a great role was played by the genoese administration, with the utter goal of securing their benefits deriving from Chios island.

The central idea of establishing the previously mentioned kind of settlements was simple: outer walls surrounding the houses, which were built one close to another, forming something like a continuous wall. At the four corners were built four circular towers. The entrances to the village were only two. Close to Kalamoti were built additionally two Viglas, towers that were serving as terminals of timely warning regarding the outside dangers. Other similar architectural characteristics that can be found in Kalamoti are the narrow streets, cross arcs, abundance of churches and the continuous stone facades of the houses. At the centre of the settlement used to exist a tall tower. The houses were stone built, two stories mostly, with the stable and the supporting spaces at the ground floor. Above the streets existed rooms of the houses that were supported by semi cylindrical domes, while the rooms of the houses were almost at the same height, so as to assist the inhabitants during their escape by the attacks.

The urban planning of the settlement  is distinctive for it's rational-practical design. From the gates of the settlement begin two main streets that lead at the  central square. There are not dead-ends or streets with turns that would bring confusion during critical times. Remarkable used to be also the sewage system: small gaps amidst the houses formed elongated canals, the stenades, that were draining the sewages.

After the fall of Chios at  the hands of the Ottomans, Kalamoti consisted administrative centre if Mastihohoria villages and Chair of the turkish commander.

Komi, the beach of Kalamoti 3,5 kms south, is one of the most popular resorts of Chios. At it's east straight after Komi can be found the beach " tis grias o fournos " with it's pebbles shore. Other remarkable beaches in small vincinity are Lilikas beach and Viri.

Points of special interest for the visitor are : Varvakas, the centre of the settlement and also the church of Agia Paraskevi. Notable are also all the numerous churches of the village, since more than thirty churches can be found in the nearby area. The most characteristic is Panagia Agrelopousaina. North by Kalamoti is located Panagia Sikelia. From the temple of Profitis Ilias at the top of the homonymous hill, the visitor shall enjoy an unforgetable view.

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Characteristics

Sea: shallow waters

Sights in the area

Businesses in the area

Map

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