THE History of Pyrgos rodocanachi
The Rodokanaki family was an aristocratic family of Chios , from the Byzantine years until the twentieth century, a branch of which settled in Marseille during the 19th century, while its members distinguished themselves mainly in the field of business. The transliteration of the name in the Latin alphabet internationally is Rodocanachi, which reflects influence from the Genoese system.
This specific building is referred to in the literature of the Chios Plain as the Rodokanaki-Mellere tower and is a typical example of the form of the megalopolis residence that developed in the Chios Plain during the Genoese period, but mainly during the Turkish period, a time of prosperity for the trade of area. The building is dated only through its morphology, without any other dating source, in the 18th century.
According to the traveler Mansuette de Nanteuil, who visited and wrote about the island in 1684, the residences of the Camp were magnificent mansions, in which the inhabitants lived during the summer months and were in the form of towers, on estates with citrus fruits and other crops.
After the earthquake of 1881, when a large part of the buildings of the city and of Kampos collapsed, this particular tower was saved intact, while the ones next to it collapsed into ruins. A possible explanation is the strong rock found in its foundation. However, after the earthquake, some modifications were made, such as reducing the size of the openings of the building, by adding new, stone frames, inside the original opening. The floor was also saved intact, as it was before 1881. The Rodokanaki-Mellere tower has been included in A. Smith’s book “the architecture of Chios”, with the number 166. There, a description of the tower and its condition according to the years 1936 – 1939.
The “tsardaki” has a perimeter terrace, according to the usual practice in these mansions.
KAMPOS
The Kampos of Chios is the fertile area to the south of the city, which has been divided into large estates since the Genoese era. The estates belonged to large families who were involved in the transit trade, across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, reaching as far as Amsterdam and London.
The architecture of the houses, although influenced by that of Genoa, resulted in the birth of a local architectural style, with the main characteristic being the Thymianous stone (from the village of Thymiana), with its impressive earthy reddish color. The houses were surrounded by unique gardens and orchards.
The fertile soil and sufficient water available in the area is the reason that allowed the intensive cultivation of citrus fruits, the so-called “manderino oranges”, a product with which the name Kampos has been identified.
The typical Kabusian estate consists of the orchard at the edge of which is the house, which is often a mansion. The house certainly has its yard, auxiliary buildings such as stables, storerooms, laundry room and oven. The “heart” of an orchard is the manganese well, a deep well, over 30m. from which the manganos, a mechanism driven by mules drew the water which, through a cistern, irrigated the orchard.
Chios
The passage from the West to the East, the island of dream and Homer, is situated in the East of the Aegean Sea, a few miles away from the Asia Minor peninsula of the Erithrea, near the cities of Izmir and Cesme. In the East of Chios people can visit the small island of Oinousses and in the west there is the historical island of Psara. Chios is fragrant island that combines history, culture and a unique natural landscape with particular architecture, exclusively local products and rich flora.
Chios is the 5th largest island in Greece which has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Chios is famous for its long naval tradition.
The visitor who comes to Chios will feel the magnitude of the island. Chios has never lost her authenticity during the years. The perfumes of the gardens fill the air and the unique smell of mastic made the visit in Chios unforgettable, especially in the “Mastixochoria”.
In the Byzantine times around the 4th century (1346) New Moni (New Monastery) and the Castle of Chios were built. Nea Moni is famous for its mosaic and is included in the Catalogue of Monuments of the International Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
Genoas conquered the island from 1346 to 1566, in that period the trade of mastic was expanded and a lot of medieval villages were built in the south part of Chios. Mesta is one of the most characteristic of the medieval villages. The massacre of Chios increased the sympathy of the rest of Europe and the growth of Philhellenism. Eugene Delacroix and the Victor Hugo were inspired by the bravery of residents against the Turks. By the time of Balkan battles in 1912, Chios was finally freed and connected with the rest of Greek cities.
The island has 53.000 residents and most of them live in the center of Chios. Chios is famous for mastic and its naval tradition. A set of remarkable connections tie Christopher Colombus to the Greek island of Chios. He may have been born there. However, there is no doubt that the discover of America had gone to Chios on a number of voyages,
The visitor can make a travel in the time beginning from the south part of Chios in the archeological place of Emporios, he can explore the narrow roads of Kampos, which is pa lace full of citrus orchards, wells with round wheels on top called “Maganopigada”, mansions of great historic value and pebbled courtyards. He also can visit Mesta, Olympi and Pyrgi which are famous for their architecture. In the center of Chios you can visit Nea Moni and Anavatos which was built on a rock with steps slopes, leaving only access from the north side. He can visit the north part of Chios with the unique sunsets, the virgin beaches, the famous topical kinds of wines, the Castle in Volisso, the impressive cavern of Panagia Agiogalousena as well as the Church Museum of Kourounia. The canyon of Cambia and Malagiotis Valley are unique destination for walk in an area of great interest with vegetation. The visitor will see the rare species of orchid that sprout in the island, the wild tulip known as “lalades” which are unique and beautiful.
In the town of Chios, the visitor can visit the Korais Library one of the oldest and largest libraries in Greece, a number of museums as the Archeological Museum and the Municipal Art gallery which is situate in the renovated building of Public Baths, the Castle of Chios with its beautiful square and the narrow roads which make everyone travel back in the glorious history of Chios town.
Traditional feasts are organized many times through the year in Chios. A remarkable one is the standard feast Shrove Monday was the traditional custom of Agas (aTurkish official)takes place. The feast of “Mostra” revives every year in Thymiana village during the last days of carnival. The Rocket War is an old custom in Vrodados which takes place every Easter Saturday night. New Year’s Boats is also a custom which revives on New Year’s Eve. During the summer time other feast are organized especially on 15th of August. Each area has feast, a religious holiday or a revival of a custom or tradition. In Chios the visitor will find a lot of local products which are unique as mastic chewing gums, mandarins, fruits in syrup, ouzo and souma and many others. Come to Chios and you will certainly have an unforgettable time.
