Tinos, the very humble and amazing neighboring island to cosmopolitan Mykonos, is one of my favorite islands. Among Greeks, it is mostly known for Panagia Evangelistria, a 190-year-old Greek Orthodox church that was built in honor of the Virgin Mary with a miracle working icon. Pilgrims flock there year round, but especially when the church celebrates Dormition of the Virgin on August 15. In fact, there is a red carpet that runs from the port up along the side of the town streets to the church at the top of the town. The faithful, asking favors or forgiveness, will climb from the port to church on their knees, carrying various offerings for the Virgin (all year, but especially around August 15)
However, the island offers so much more than the miracle working church. It is blessed with underground springs and has spots with lush plane trees, offering precious shade from the hot sun in summer. It has so much marble that roads, street signs, air vents in homes and just about everything is made from marble–much easier to find than wood on this island! Its more than 40 villages are each unique and beautiful, and the lovely countryside with iconic “peristeronas” or dovecotes (homes for doves and pigeons). And the food is amazing–everywhere we went, each dish was absolutely delicious, and home-made, of course! When we were there in late July the winds were so strong (for 10 days straight!) that we could not go to any beach, but with the wealth of villages, and Museum of Marble Art in Pirgi, Tinos, where there is also a famous Greek Marble sculpting school, we found plenty to do (and eat!) on this truly amazing island.
