Anavatos is one of the most important and most interesting medieval settlements in Greece.

History

It is not known when exactly it was founded. Maybe in the 11th century and it developed gradually in the next centuries. It reached a peak of growth in the late Ottoman period. The current appearance of the settlement is from that period.

A rare trace of an earlier period is the remains of the main tower (later church of Saint Taxiarches) which shows signs of a Genoan influence.

The settlement consists of 3 parts that represent 3 different phases of construction: the acropolis at the top, the Mesochorio (middle village) below the acropolis and the relatively new part, or Neo Chorio, lower on the eastern slope of the rocky hill.

Anavatos was destroyed by the Turks in the Massacre of Chios in 1822 and was deserted. Further damage was caused to the buildings in the earthquake of 1881.

Today there are 3 inhabitants in the village.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

It seems that the main reason for establishing a settlement there was the naturally fortified of the rock and the ability to survey from the top the western coast of Chios.

There are around 400 houses in the village. All of them have two floors and, today, no roof. The living space was at the second floor where there are few and small windows. The houses are ruined but many of them preserve their walls and this gives the impression of a complete ghost village from the medieval past.

At the top, there are remains of the fortification and the so-called triorofo (=3-storey building) which housed a school and a church.