Tinos Kambos

General information

Located on one of the island’s most fertile valleys, just 7 kilometers north of Tinos Town, Kambos is a lovely traditional village with whitewashed houses and quaint alleys overflowing with flowers. It is the homeland of Saint Pelagia, whose visions led to the discovery of the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, the pride of the Evangelistria Church.

Despite its small size, Kambos offers plenty of things to see. To begin with, visitors will find the Kostas Tsoklis Museum, a remarkable contemporary art museum curated by the renowned artist Kostas Tsoklis himself. Around the village streets, visitors will also find two churches which are well-worth a visit thanks to their interesting history and architecture. First and foremost among them is the Catholic Church of Agia Triada, whose cobblestone courtyard stands out as a striking example of Tinian folk art, while the second is the Orthodox Church of Agia Aikaterini. Dating from the short-lived period of Russian rule on the island in the early 1770s, the latter was, in fact, funded by the Russian admiral Orlov and was erected in honor of the Empress Catherine I of Russia.

What is more, Kambos boasts the best-preserved windmill to be found on the entire island, as well as a beautiful traditional well, while the entire area around Kambos is adorned with dozens of magnificent dovecotes. At the same time, Kambos offers a magnificent view of Mount Exomvourgo, where lie the ruins of Exoumvourgo Castle and the ancient capital of Tinos.

If you happen to be in Tinos on the 15th of September, don’t miss the chance to attend the colorful Honey Festival, where the island’s beekeepers come to exhibit their products. Besides offering a chance to sample the exquisite Tinian honey for free, the event offers a fist-hand experience of the island’s customs, as it is invariably accompanied by traditional music and dancing, as well as by copious quantities of rakomelo (an alcoholic drink mixing honey and raki) and other local delicacies.