Agiasmata
The “Agiasmata” Springs, known by the locals simply as Agiasmata, can be found in north-west Chios, fifty-seven kilometres from the island’s capital. This place is renowned for its spa and hydrotherapy installations. Geological studies have identified a geological fault running east-west along the western edge of the settlement, the source of the various springs in the area.
One of these is a hot spring, the waters of which have penetrated the lower layers of the earth’s crust, being heated in the process and stored wherever they meet impenetrable rock barriers. On its journey, this water encounters geological formations and is enriched with minerals, trace elements and salts, making it ideal for therapeutic purposes. Visitors with rheumatoid and other ailments are sure to find a welcome relief at the GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organisation) certified Agiasmata hot spring.
It’s worth noting that the thermal waters found at this hot spring have similar properties to those of seawater. Heated water is lighter and rises through geological faults faster, getting mixed with seawater in the process. The course described above from the surface to the depths of the earth and back can take over 500 years.
The beach at Agiasmata is one-of-a-kind and gorgeous, and its stately tranquillity and rugged natural surroundings are sure to win over visitors. The summer meltemes and winter storms cause the water to break in waves on the beach, spraying clouds of droplets (full of iodine, no less), a joy for fans of the sea. Thalassotherapy can help address and cure a wide range of rheumatoid, orthopaedic or pulmonary conditions. In addition to the healing properties of the local waters though, visitors are certain to find peace here amidst the gorgeous scenery and rhythmic lapping of the waves.
In fact, the locals have long held that the beneficial thermal waters of their village were “miraculous”, imbued by divine intervention with supernatural properties. And that’s not to mention the uses of the thermal waters of Agiasmata, together with essential oils and mastic oil, in the production of mastic cosmetics.
It should be noted that beyond its thermal springs, Agiasmata is an ideal location for hiking, biking and excursions into nature. History and archaeology-oriented tourists are sure to find the long-abandoned antimony mines and the picturesque churches of St Nikolaos and the Holy Girdle fascinating destinations. Oenophile visitors can find the vineyards of “Ariousios Oinos” just outside Agiasmata, and there’s also a Winery to be explored at Egrigoros.
“Ariousios Oinos”, Chian wine, was a renowned blend of local wine and was even lauded by the Greek geographer, philosopher and 1st-century A.D. historian Strabo. According to his lively and accurate account: “Ariousia is a rough and harborless land, thirty stadia in extent, producing the best of the Greek wines”. As we can see, Strabo considered the wines produced here to be among the very best of those produced throughout Greece. In fact, the northern part of Chios has been its vineyard since antiquity.