Tinos Town Maps

Tinos (also called Chora) is the capital and main port of Tinos island in the Cyclades archipelago. The town has a population of approximately 5,000 and serves as Greece's most important pilgrimage destination due to its miracle-working icon. The settlement is built amphitheatrically on a hillside overlooking the harbor.

The Church of Panagia Evangelistria (Our Lady of Tinos), built in 1823, is the primary reason for the town's religious significance. The church houses a miraculous icon of the Annunciation discovered in 1823 following visions by a nun, Sister Pelagia. The icon is believed to have healing powers, and thousands of pilgrims visit annually, particularly on March 25 (Annunciation) and August 15 (Dormition of the Virgin). Many pilgrims crawl on their knees up the marble-paved street from the harbor to the church, a distance of about 800 meters. The church complex includes museums displaying votive offerings, religious artifacts, and works by Greek artists.

The Archaeological Museum of Tinos contains finds from the Sanctuary of Poseidon and Amphitrite at Kionia, an important ancient religious site located approximately 3 kilometers from town. The sanctuary was a major cult center from the 4th century BCE. The Museum of Tinian Artists displays works by sculptors from Tinos, an island with a strong tradition in marble sculpture. The town features typical Cycladic architecture with whitewashed buildings and narrow streets. Numerous marble fountains, decorative details, and dovecotes throughout the island demonstrate local artisanship. The neoclassical architecture along the main street reflects 19th-century prosperity. Tinos produces distinctive marble crafts and maintains traditional Catholic communities in some villages, a legacy of Venetian rule.