Mastichochoria

Mastichochoria (Greek: Mastichochoria, lit. "the Mastic Villages") is an agricultural area in the Greek island of Chios. It is the most prominent producer of the mastic, a resin obtained from the domesticated mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia); in fact, the tree is endemic to this area and, thus, the resin grown there has a PDO status.

Understand
Mastichochoria (Greek: Μαστιχοχώρια, lit. "the mastic villages" in English) is in the southwestern and extreme southern part of Chios island. It is the largest municipal unit on Chios, with a population of 3,672 at the 2001 census. This area is well known for the production of mastic, from which it derives its name. Mastic is the hardened resin of the mastic tree and is only harvested on Chios, being a major part of the local economy. In the village of Pyrgi, there is even a small Museum of Mastic.

In the Chios Massacre of 1822, during the Ottoman rule of Chios, the people of Mastichochoria were spared as their survival was the foundation of the island's continued prosperity (and the tax proceeds it remitted to Constantinople).

By car
The region's natural "border" connects the villages of Lithi in the west, Agios Georgios Sykousis on the centre and Thymiana on the east. There are 5 "border crosings".


 * From Sidirounta to Lithi (It takes about 30 minutes to drive). The road is twisty and mountainous and thus extra caution is needed while driving there. However, you'll have a spectacular view to the Aegean Sea.
 * From Avgonyma to Agios Georgios Sykousis (~20 minutes). This solely mountainous road is among the most primitive roads to the region and has nothing special along it. It's not recommended if you are an inexperienced driver.
 * Another such road is the one going from Zyfias to Ag. Georgios (~ 5 min)
 * The road from Vasilioniko to Vavyloi takes 4 minutes to drive and can give you a glimpse of the Kampos region.
 * The road from Chios (Chora) to Neochori, Kallimasia and Thymiana crosses the Kampos region and passes close to the airport, making it a good option if you have just arrived on the island.

By ferry
Mesta has a port on the west side built in a small gulf. This makes the port very safe from extreme weather, but the port in Chios Town is still preferable. Blue Star Ferries offers route from Piraeus in 8 hours with a car ferry. The port is also accessible by the town of Sigri in Lesbos.

By public transit
There are buses from Chios Town by KTEL Chiou.

By car
All villages are connected by road.

By public transit
Due to the small population, there are very few buses around the villages, apart from Mesta to Olymbi, from Pyrgi to Komi and from Pyrgi to Armolia. If you don't have any personal vehicle, you can use a taxi or even walk where it is possible.

See
Nearly 3/4 of the region is covered by sea, and, since it is generally sunny, it has several beaches, the most notable being the beach of Mavra Volia (Black pebbles, also known as Mavros Gialos). Instead of sand, it has some black volcanic pebbles.

Apart from beaches, there's also a museum deticated on the mastic outside Pyrgi.

There's also a cave in the village of Olymbi and the Apollichnon caslte near Armolia.

Do
If you are blessed to go here from early summer to mid autumn, you'll be able to witness the mastic cultivation in first person. You can see how the resin is harvested and how it is prepared to be sold.

Buy
There must be souvenir shops, especially in touristy villages like Pyrgi. Some shops also sell mastic cosmetics, but be careful for possibly pseudoscienctific claims about its benefits (Though mastic is good for you, there's limited scientific evidence about its benefits, and the locals might not care about drawbacks)

Eat
Of course, mastic is edible and very prominent on desserts. The "ypovrychio" (lit. "underwater") is a spoon dessert with mastic. Dondurma ice cream also has mastic and is sold in Greece as "Kaimaki".

Mastic is also made into chewing gums, sold as "ELMA".

Drink
A liqueur is made from Mastic and also enjoys a PDO status. The traditional local ouzo spirit drink also have mastic.

Sleep
Hotels up to 3 stars can be found on areas close to beaches. Studio appartments and renting villas are found elsewhere.

Go next

 * North of Mastichochoria, there is another area called "Kambos", where citrus fruits are mainly grown on small gardens on medieval mansions.