Tinos History

The history of Tinos is marked by its unique religious heritage and vibrant artistic culture and has been well-preserved in every corner of the island.

Ancient Times

During ancient times, Tinos was known as Ophioussa (ophis meaning "snake" in ancient Greek), because of the great number of snakes crawling on the soil of the island. It was also referred to as Hydroussa (hydria meaning "water places") because of its abundant water. According to ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon chased the snakes away from the island. This led to the Greek god being highly worshipped in the area, with the sanctuary dedicated to Poseidon in Kionia.

The earliest traces of human activity have been found on the hill of Vrekastro and date to the Early Bronze Age. Some of the earliest inhabitants in the history of Tinos are thought to be the Myceneans, followed by the Phoenicians and then the Ionians in the 11th century BC. The current day name of the island is believed to have originated from one of its first settlers and the leader of the Ionian colonists who was named Tinos. Two tombs from the Mycenaean period have been discovered in the area of Kyra Xeni, and about fifty archaeological sites dating from the Geometric period have been found in the area of Xombourgo.

In the 6th century BC, Tinos was seized by Eretria and, during the Greco-Persian Wars, the island came under the authority of the Persians. Freedom was regained after the battle of Marathon, with Tinos becoming a member of the Delian Alliance and democracy being instituted. A significant amount of Tinian soldiers fought against the Persians in the battle of Plataea in 479 BC. In 386 BC, the island became independent. This new era hardly favored prosperity, as it soon came under the authority of Philip of Macedonia. After the death of his son Alexander the Great, the Egyptian Ptolemies took over.

Roman and Byzantine times

In the 2nd century BC, Tinos, along with the rest of Greece, became a part of the Roman Empire. During the Byzantine Era, the locals were forced to abandon their houses in the countryside and move inland to protect themselves from the many devastating pirate raids. Not much else is known about Tinos during the Byzantine times, except that there was a plight of plagues and epidemic diseases that decimated the population. In general, this was a period of decline for Tinos as well as many of the other islands.

In 1207, Tinos, like the rest of the Cyclades, was conquered by the Venetians. The capital was subsequently moved to the castle of Xombourgo. The Venetians reigned up till 1715, long after the other islands had fallen under Turkish rule. Up until then, the Venetians had managed to repulse attacks from the Turks with the help of the locals. As a result, Tinos flourished in agriculture, art, food production, pottery, and more.

Ottoman occupation

When the island surrendered to the Turks, it was granted privileges unheard of at the time. The inhabitants were not required to wear the red stockings and had the right to wear their local uniform instead. They were also permitted to build churches and schools. The island was self-governed and Turkish fleets were not allowed within 19 kilometers of its shore. The only Turkish residents on Tinos were the Governor and the judge.

During the Ottoman period, the present-day capital began to flourish. This period was characterized by great development, as commercial, industrial, and shipping activities were thriving. The prosperity the island was blessed with, along with the foreign influence on the everyday life of the inhabitants gave Tinos the nickname of Little Paris. Many inhabitants went to found successful businesses in other places such as Constantinople, Smyrna, Alexandria, and Trieste. Until 1821, Tinos was the most populated island of the Cyclades and the economic capital of the group.

Recent years

Tinos highly contributed to the Greek Revolution against Turkish rule. The island became part of the Modern Greek State in 1830, transforming into a pan-Hellenic religious and cultural center. It is the birthplace of many famous artists, who contributed greatly to the development of modern Greek art. Notable names include famed Greek sculptor Giannoulis Chalepas, Nikolaos Gyzis, and Lazaros Sochos. The history of Tinos is marked by the torpedoing of the warship Elli in the port of the island in August 1940. During World War II, the islanders suffered a lot from the Italian and German occupation but managed to contribute to the Resistance against the oppressors.

Today, Tinos stands out as one of the most unique islands in the Cyclades. Its historical, religious, and artistic heritage is evident through ancient sites, old churches, interesting museums, and marble structures. The island has slowly become a beloved tourist destination, with thousands of visitors every year looking to experience its one-of-a-kind beauty. Because of this, it has undergone a period of major development in terms of tourist infrastructure.