“… a balcony over the Aegean Sea”
Tinos is the third largest island of the Cyclades. The geographical position of the island could be described as a balcony over the Aegean Sea, overlooking the rest of the neighbouring Cycladic islands.
It can also be considered as the outskirts of Mykonos. By boat it takes only 20 minutes and one lands to one of the most famous places on earth.
Tinos is best known as the "island of the Virgin Mary" and undoubtedly takes the number one place as the most popular religious site for the Greeks to visit.
Despite its sacred and religious and mystifying nature Tinos holds lots of surprises for its visitors.
Tinos has 54 both inhabited and abandoned picturesque villages that have preserved its quality and wait to be explored by its visitors. A number of museums and archaeological sites keep the history of the place alive, helping tourists experience its culture, manners and customs. The main town of Tinos (Chora) is the commercial centre of the island, the ultimate night – life centre and at the same time a town of great archaeological, artistic, cultural and naturally, religious interest.
In Tinos during summertime, more than 100 kilometres of coastline cater for every taste, larger or smaller sandy beaches, coasts covered with pebbles, even rocky shores.
At times imposing, at others calm, and sometimes even mystifying, the great variety of landscape of Tinos is unique in the Aegean Sea. Touring the island turns out to be a rather seductive discovery of natural beauty: beautiful picturesque villages, rocky footpaths, beaches with crystal clear waters, dovecots, mills, chapels, threshing floors, dry-stone walls, caves, granite boulders, carved by the winds and men who work with ardour.
Spirituality
Tinos is undoubtedly one of the most important spiritual destinations of our country, due to the presence of the Holy Temple of the Virgin Mary of the Annunciation.
The discovery of the icon portraying the Annunciation, the erection of the splendid temple established the sanctity of the island in the consciousness of the people of Tinos, as well as in the minds of all the Greek people. It is spread from mouth to mouth that the Icon of “Virgin Mary of Tinos” has proved to thousands of people - through out the years - to be miraculous: “If you declare your wish, it will become true” .
In 1971, Legislative Decree declared the Island of Tinos “Sacred”. So, every year, especially on and around the 15th of August, as well as on the 24th of August (nine days after the Assumption), thousands of worshippers visit the Holy Temple of the Virgin Mary.
