The first thing you will notice as you set foot on Tinos is how little it looks like a Greek island.
However, Tinos keeps her secrets well hidden from passers-by.
Behind the urban veneer of Tinos town, you will slowly uncover a town full of traditional buildings and Cycladic walkways that are unique to this part of Greece. As you wander through the narrow winding alleys, particularly in the commercial center, you will come across romantic archways, small open chapels and churches, neoclassic mansions built during periods of past glories and even villas surrounded by vegetable and flower gardens.
Fountains decorate various town squares, running streams gurgle on the outskirts of the town, houses with coats- of –arms dating back to the Venetian period and cobblestone alleyways filled with shops selling one-of-a –kind items all make up a town filled with history and culture.
At the center of the town is the footpath that leads up to the Church of the Virgin Mary. Full of small businesses, you will find everything here from traditional good luck charms and hand-painted icons to locally produced biological products and expensive jewellery. Running parallel to this path is the newer and wider road leading to the church suitable for cars.
Places of interest within the town include the Old Textile School, the Museum of Tinian Artists, the Art Gallery within the church complex, which is made up of various works by Tinian artists, as well as the permanent exhibition of the works of Yiannouli Halepas which is housed in the Polymerio Complex. The Catholic Church of St.Nicholas is also an interesting stop.
Situated a few kilometers from the town center, opposite Kionia Beach, you will find the ruins of the ancient temples of the gods Poseidon and Amphitrite.
And, of course, dominating the town is the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) which is actually a complex of buildings built to celebrate Greece’s independence. This is architecturally and historically one of Greece’s landmarks as well as being one of the most important religious references for Orthodox Christians.
