Patrika

Patrika is located at the southwest part of the island, 25 Km. from the town of Chios. According to manuscripts the first house at Patrika was built at 1050 by Mendonas family. Wealthy villagers from Kalamoti who built a tower at the area for health reasons. Their descendants, living at Kalamoti used to refer to the area as "our fathers’ estate" which in Greek means "patrika" and that’s where from the name of the village has derived. The old village is a classic fortress-village like Mesta and Olympoi. At frequent intervals there are transverse archways supporting the structures, as well as vaults and arches supporting the rooms. The functional character of the houses was geared to defense, and thus the inhabitants were able to move about the roofs without being seen. Unfortunately the village has suffered a lot of damages at the 1949 earthquake.