Greece/Chios: Pyrgi
Pyrgi is one of the main attractions on Chios – a town famous for its painted houses. It’s really stunning and spectacular – a mountain village where nearly every house is elaborately decorated with various black and white checkered and flower patterns – every wall, balcony, door. The decorative motifs of the houses are called “xista.” The town dates back to the 10th century and indeed has a very medieval feel – narrow streets with a lot of arches, overhanding balconies, three old 15th century churches, and ornate square. Pyrgi is also the center of mastic agriculture in Chios.
