One of the main attractions of Chios town (the capital of the eponymous island), is undoubtedly the famous "Fortress of Chios". It is located in the Northern part of the city near the harbour.

The first fortress was built here by the Byzantines in the 10th century and in fact was a small well-fortified city. Over the next centuries, the castle was repeatedly rebuilt and reconstructed and original buildings to our days almost nothing left. In the age of the Genoese domination were greatly expanded the boundaries of walls, but with time and they are unable to accommodate a rapidly growing city. Significant additions during the periods of his reign have been made by the Venetians and the Turks. For a long time the fortress was a political, military and administrative centre of the island.

A thorough destruction of the fortress has undergone in the period of the tragic events on the island in 1822, and during a strong earthquake of 1881. The fortress lost its strategic importance and gradually fell into disrepair. In the beginning of the 20th century during the construction of the new port, part of the fortress was completely demolished. However, a significant portion of the once majestic fortifications have been preserved to our days. Today the fortress is a residential area.

The fortress was an irregular Pentagon shape with high massive walls and nine watch towers, eight of which have survived to the present day. Access to the fortress was provided through the main gate of Porta Maggiore, built by the Genoese, and in 1964 was reconstructed by the Venetians, the Western gate Pano Portello and Porto di Marina (located by the sea and were destroyed during the construction of the new harbour). From two sides the fortress was surrounded by sea and by land was dug a deep ditch, which was filled with water, thus forming a well-fortified artificial island (today the moat is not preserved), which significantly increased the level of protection of the fortress.

Among the many monuments of different epochs, which can be seen today on the territory of the fortress, of particular interest are the Palace of Justinian, which today houses a Museum, the Church of St. George, the infamous "dark prison", a Turkish cemetery (there is also a burial place of the Turkish Admiral Kara Ali), the Church of St. Nicholas, the bayrakli mosque, Turkish baths and the tower of Koules. No less interesting and underground water system of the so-called "Kria Vrissi" (which means "cold spring").

Today the fortress of Chios is an important historical monument and one of the most impressive structures of the island. Walking the grounds of the fortress will allow you to take a fascinating excursion into the past and get acquainted with the history and culture of Chios.