Aghio Galas

The village of Aghio Galas has shown continual human existence over the course of 8,000 years.  It is located 70 km northwest of the town of Chios and is one of the oldest Neolithic places in the Aegean area.  From the 6th century B.C., man lived within the large caves located beneath this village.

Archeologists have discovered numerous shells (vase fragments), tools, bones, and worshipping objects dating from the Neolithic period.  The caves however, have not been completely examined or explored.  These caves are of great interest as they maintain ceilings decorated with stalactites.

Significant remnants of the medieval fortress have been preserved in the village.  This village is of substantial importance to researchers for its popular architecture, unique house designs, preservation of local linguistic idioms and the villagers’ occupation with agriculture.  The inhabitants’ homes are held up by one single column, a scene that depicts the most primitive structure possible for permanent residence. This primitive scene in conjunction with the particular architectural scheme of each house designates Aghio Galas as a rare architectural monument on the whole.
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SIGHTSEEING
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  • PANAGHIA AGHIOGALOUSENA

This church was built at the base of the cliff that holds up the village.  The church honors the name of Panaghia Galaktotrofousa (translation: Milk Feeding) and contains the icon of the Virgin Mary.  The church’s architecture is an example of subsequent architectural developments of the octagonal type exhibited in Nea Moni. The church’s interior was extended, thereby becoming useful as a narthex, however, the church leads to a spiral tunnel where there is a chapel similar to the central church.  This chapel honors the name of Aghia Anna (St. Anna). 

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  • AGHIOS THALELEOS (St. Thaleleos)

The church can be described as a small, basilica type, single-aisle church that has been built from local stone.  A very large portion of its stone structure has come from an ancient edifice while the tiles covering the church’s exterior date back to the Byzantine period.  The church’s interior still displays the well maintained illustrations and frescoes that date back to the 17th century.  The wood carved iconostasis is in excellent condition and is dated 1711.

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  • THE STALACTITE CAVE OF PANAGHIA AGHIOGALOUSENA

To the south of the chapel is the  stalactite cave entrance.