Mesta Village, Turkish Village Chios Island from Alina Travel's blog

Mesta , one of the medieval-inspired Turkish villages of Chios , is one of the places where you can experience the feeling of time travel with its well-preserved solid stone houses, narrow and labyrinth streets closed with arches.

Mesta, which was settled with the same logic as Pirgi Village , which was built to protect the island from pirate attacks, is 35 km away from the center of Chios, in the south of the city center. 14-15 of the first settlement in the village. century, it is known to date back to the Byzantine period.

The church, where the icons brought from the churches on the opposite shore by the Greek citizens who migrated to the island from Çeşme and İzmir during the population exchange period, were placed, is especially famous for these icons. Historical paintings in the church and two icons of Michael and Gabriel attract the attention of the Christian world.

Although there are many entrances and exits to Mesta Village today, the village still feels the medieval castle village atmosphere. Mesta Village, which is on the route together with Pirgi in South Chios tours, is worth seeing with its cafes and restaurants in the village square, tiny venues producing home raki and wine, and peaceful streets.

Mesta Village, which has a castle village architecture, had no connection with the outside world at the time it was founded, except for the two doors that provided entrance and exit against possible pirate attacks. It is quite easy to get lost in the village, where houses lined up on narrow streets and many streets are similar to each other.

The system, in which the villagers could move without being seen on the roofs of the houses at the time of the attack, allowed all the people of the village to meet at the tower in the village square in case of emergency.

In the village, where five watchtowers were restored and converted into a house, the Old Taksiarhis Church, one of the largest and most important churches of Chios , was built in place of the central watchtower in the village square.

Located on the west coast of Chios, Mesta Harbor is 4 km from the village center. Salagon, Apotika and Didymes beaches are among the points that can be visited while you are in the village.

Mesta holiday celebrations

Mesta Village is a center where traditions are kept alive throughout the year, especially the Great Lent Eve, which is of sacred importance for Christians. Special days celebrated like carnival on the streets with special costumes on 15 August and 8 November.

Where is Mesta village?

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How to get to Mesta village? 
Located 35 km from the city center of Chios, Mesta Village is in the southwest of the island. The village, which can be reached in about 50 minutes by private car, is limited in terms of public transportation.

KTEL (green buses) buses departing from Chios center on weekdays from Monday to Friday at 05:40, 11.00, 14.00, 16.30 in the direction of Mesta, and at 06.40, 13.30, 15.10 and 18.30 in the direction of Chios. One way ticket costs 4.20€.