Travel Guide Kampos

South of the capital lies the fertile plain of Kampos, known for the cultivation of citrus fruits (tangerines, oranges, lemons, bergamots...) for centuries. The great historical families of Chios made their fortune on the export of these famous products throughout Europe. They had trading posts in all the major European ports... until the European Union's agricultural policy decided to favor citrus fruits from Spain and slowly killed a trade and activity that had been flourishing until then. The plain of Kampos maintains its trees and its culture, but has gradually turned to tourism to support the large estates built by the Genoese, since the 14th century. We owe them the particular architecture of these villas made of Thymiana stone, a local stone that mixes magnificent ochres, changing tone according to the light of the day. Surrounded by high walls, the estates generally offer similar overall structures: massive buildings with cool interiors, large wells allowing for a self-sufficient irrigation system, and carefully tended citrus orchards. The earthquake of 1881 damaged many of the medieval estates, but some villas were renovated with styles that were in vogue in the late 19th century, sometimes resulting in surprising mixes.Today, most of these large houses have been transformed into charming guest houses: do not hesitate to stay in one of them, as it will be a unique opportunity to experience the medieval architecture of places otherwise closed to the visit and often invisible from the outside, because of the high surrounding walls. Inside, you will discover small, well-hidden paradises, which are more reminiscent of Italy than Greece.The central road that crosses the plain is quite dangerous: do not venture there on foot. On the other hand, the small secondary roads leading to the estates are winding and very narrow, not suitable for cars. The best way to explore this exciting area is to visit the Citrus Museum to learn about the history of the area and then stay at one of the lodgings listed here and explore the area directly on foot or by bike. On the coast, the seaside resort of Karfas has a long sandy beach suitable for families.