This area is historical - the Greek Army landed here on November 11, 1912 to liberate Chios from the Turks. Further down is the area of Korakies, once the site of the stone quarries, hundreds of years old, which produced the famous Thymiana stone.
The remains of other similar quarries are in the areas of Karavo, Agios Dimitris, Platia Rachi, Stenaka and elsewhere.
It was founded by the holy man Osios Pahomios in 1898 and maintains the strict rules of monasticism to this day.
Males are strictly forbidden.
It is said that many miracles occurred in this monastery.
One may purchase beautiful woven goods, embroideries and icons of the saints, all handmade by the residing nuns.
The concrete road to the monastery passes by the historical chapel
of Agia Marina, which is at least 300 years old.
Approximately one
kilometer before Karfas is a road cutting off to the left which leads
uphill to the Vigla or watch tower in the area of Agia Eleni (Saint
Helen). This tower is a remnant of Medieval defenses against attacking
corsairs from the Barbary Coast and is being restored at this time.
A
temple of Poseidon existed here in ancient times; in later years, the area
was used as a sentry post during the pirate raids.
Six kilometers from Chios is Karfas, the highly -developed tourist area.
The name probably stems from the Homeric "Karfalios", which means dry.
Karfas has one of the finest beaches on the island.
It is vast sand area stretches out over a kilometer and the crystal waters of the Aegean shimmer like emeralds. The sea is shallow a considerable distance from shore, making this ideal for children.
