In Chora

The dazzlingly white settlement of Chora is one of the most beautiful and characteristic Cycladic capitals, because of its traditional architecture. Perched for centuries on Ormos, the hill appearing in the east of its harbor, the Capital of Ios is a special destination for every visitor.
If you go up the narrow alleys of Chora, no matter which route you take, you will end at the top, passing under the stigadia, that is the small passages under the houses, where Panagia Gremiotissadominates. Tradition says that although all the alleys lead to Gremiotissa, the painted queens disoriented the Pirates, so they protected the Virgin Mary from the Pirates’ raids. All the socio – economic activity of the island has been developed in Chora which includes the City Hall and the other services of the Municipality, the Archaeological Museum, the Banks, the Diocese of the island, the Annunciation, and the schools, while it also hosts most of the night clubs of Ios, which create a special, full of life, atmosphere, in its narrow traditional alleys, on summer nights.