Few words about Oinousses
If you want to visit a quiet and secluded island, Oinousses is the perfect choice. At a distance of 1 hour from Chios by boat, Oinousses overlooks the coastline of Asia Minor. Oinousses or Oinoussa is a cluster of islands in the North Aegean, consisting of 1 inhabited island and 8 smaller ones. They are located approximately 2 kilometers northeast of Chios and 8 kilometers from the coast of Turkey.
Famous since the 6th BC. century, for their good wine, it is believed that their name comes from the root of the word oinos and according to another version from “Egnousa”, the ancient name of the linden tree, which is everywhere on the island.
The main characteristic of Oinousses is that they are quiet, peaceful and picturesque. An island with a long maritime tradition, with a maritime museum in Chora which is often called the island of shipowners.
Chora
The picturesque town of Oinoussa or Aignoussa, built amphitheatrically on a hill on the south side of the island, consists of traditional houses, with narrow cobbled streets. The mansions of the captains coexist with the popular houses on the waterfront. The main location (chora) has only a few cafes and restaurants, which overlook the local harbor and beach.
In the center of the traditional settlement with its tiled roofs, perched at the top of the wide steps dominates the majestic church of Agios Nikolaos, patron saint of sailors. Richly decorated with elaborate hagiographies and thousands of tamas, it bursts with life on the fifteenth of August, when the people of Oinousses revive the religious custom of the burial of the Virgin Mary.
Beaches
Along the island there are several small beaches that offer seclusion and exceptionally clean crystal clear waters.
Oinousses has many beautiful beaches, with the most accessible being on the southwest side of the island. Most of the beaches in Oinousses are small and quiet, with sand and transparent icy waters. For complete isolation, prefer the hard-to-reach northern beaches.
- Agios Giannis (Southwestern Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Picturesque little beach with sand and pebbles.
- Apiganos (Southwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
One of the most beautiful beaches in Oinousses with beautiful sand and crystal clear waters.
- Zepagas (Southwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Popular beach in a convenient location with fine pebbles and crystal clear waters.
- Castle- Kastro (Southwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Nice and fairly long beach with large white pebbles.
- Bilali (Southwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Beautiful sandy beach, calm shallow sea and beach bar.
- Tselepi (North Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
A beach with clear waters, beautiful sand and absolute silence.
- Farkero / Fourkerou (Southwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Quiet beach in a closed bay with a beautiful sandy beach and transparent clear waters.
- Fokia (Northwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Quiet beach without amenities with lovely sand, crystal clear waters and easy access.
- Hatzalis (Northern Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Quiet beach with calm sea, sand with pebbles, clear blue waters and few trees.
- Chochlakas – Katsika (Northwest Oinousses – Oinousses beaches):
Untouched beaches in two consecutive closed bays.
Byzantine Monastery
Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Theotokos
The monastery was built by the pious couple of Panagos and Katigo Patera. It was inaugurated on August 10, 1965 and is celebrated twice a year, on March 25 and August 15. Since its foundation, the monastery follows the old calendar and the standard one of Saint Savvas.
The nuns are engaged in various ministries, with iconography, gold embroidery of holy icons, as well as knitting and hiero-sewing for their needs.
It is worth mentioning that many of the church’s hagiographies were created by the hagiographer Fotis Kontoglou.
On the hills surrounding the monastery, the founders of the monastery have built two immense and overcrowded chapels, a large Byzantine cross 12 meters high and two shrines, one dedicated to the Prophet Elias and a second dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin and the Apostle Paul.
There are many summer festivals, when they celebrate the dozens of chapels scattered on the islands, which are visited by pilgrims in boats to honor the celebrated saints.
The last holiday of the summer is the Dormition of the Virgin at the Holy Monastery of Evangelismos on August 28 (old calendar), where the monastery, a spiritual refuge, but also an architectural jewel of the island, honors its patroness.
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How will you get to Oinousses?
To get to Oinousses, you can first get to Chios, the closest island either by boat or plane, and then take the local ferry that takes you across in an hour. Alternatively, you can hire a car or take a taxi for the half hour drive to Lagada, a local port. There, a small Onussio boat will take you across in 20 minutes, but you must book the trip in advance by phone.
Another way to get there is to take an excursion ferry directly from Piraeus to Oinousses which takes about eight hours. This may not seem easy, but it will be worth it as you will reach a relaxing paradise!
As with most Greek islands, Oinouses has what you might call an irresistible charm and simplicity. They offer peace, relaxation and are the perfect escape from busy life.