Vrondados

 

Vrondados is the seat of the Municipality of Homeroupolis and is located five kilometers far from Chios town, at the northeast side of the island.

It is built along the seaside road that links the central with the north part of the island. It's population is about 5000 people, mainly seamen, excellent ones, tradesmen and scientists.

Vrondados, such Kardamyla and Inousses island, is the birthplace of many powerful ship owners, who have a great  domination on navigation and trade.

 
During his journey, the visitor is going to meet many churches, it's one with a special architecture. Among them is the Cathedral of Saint George, Panagia (Virgin) Erithiani with the fine pebbled yard and the church of Saint Mark. In the center of Vrondados, up to a bright green hillock is the monastery of Saint Stefan surrounded with pine -trees, an area where calm and fresh air capture the visitor's soul.

The historical Monastery of Mersinidi, dedicated to the Mother of God, is located north of Vrondados, continuing the seaside road after Daskalopetra, on a precipitous place above the sea. Ships use to greet the Mother of God by sounding their horns, when passing by.

Between the church of Panagia Moutsaina (the Virgin of the deck -boys) and the temple of Agios Nikolaos (protector of the seamen) there is the statue of the Unknown Sailor ("Afanis Naftis"), made by the sculptor Jiannis Apartis, reminds to everyone the ties of the locals to the sea. It is an honour to all the sailors that lost their lives in the sea.

A bit further north, up on a slide full of cypresses and rosemary, one meets the marble tomb of the great grammarian and linguist Yiannis Psiharis. On the white tomb it is graven the words that himself composed.

The most well -known place in the area of Vrondados is the seaside settlement of Daskalopetra (the teacher's stone). According to tradition, this is the place where the famous poet taught his immortal epic poems.

The archeologists esteem that the wide rock with the small stone temple of the Goddess Kyveli, at the center, in combination with the water coming down from the spring that is situated near there, must be a donation of the state or of some individual to the Goddess and  this holy place attended to her worship.
In this place, it is said that was also flourished the School of Homer's epic poets.

At the foot of the mountain is the beautiful, pebbled beach of Daskalopetra, where someone can enjoy a perfect swim and sunbathing.
After two kilometers from Daskalopetra is the Seagull beach. A coast that you reach coming down the rocks, with light blue, crystal -clear, icy waters.

Further more, the traditional taverns that is in the area of Vrondados with the fresh fishes, the home made savors and the Chian ouzo, leave an excellent taste to everyone that visit them.

What's more, the visitor can enjoy an afternoon coffee in one of the seaside cafeterias that combine the view of the sea with the mountains on the other side of Erytraia.

Don't miss ...     The Rocket war
The Rocket war is a custom that take place the Holy Saturday in the Easter, between the church of Panagia Erithiani and the other of Saint Mark, which are situated very close, the one opposite to the other. It is a very old and unique custom that ends to be an exciting spectacle. It is about extempore fireworks made from gun -powder, niter and sulphur. Parishioners from each church put the rockets on a place opposite to the rival church and when the bells ring for the Resurrection the sky turn into red from the shine of the rockets. It will be an unforgettable experience for all the people that is going to be present, this night, to the Rocket war.