Kambos («Plain») is a flat land that streches, along the east coast
of the island of Chios, about 10 Km long and 2 Km wide. The low mountains that
surround it from the west are the source of its underground waters; what makes
Kambos an endless garden with flowers and citrous trees, very close to the capital
of Chios.
Kambos represents a unique, both residential and agriculturar site,
situated in a very critical area of Greece and Europe, in general. It consists
of about 200 ectares, all surrounded by high, artistic fences.
Every mansion of an estate is considered as an exquisite masterpiece
with it’s exeptional original architecture.
These mansions , as well as the side buildings, the stoney pared courtyards,
the wheel-wells, the citrous gardens and the intriciate irrigation systems of
those estates, all are regarded to as of great historical significance throughout
the centuries.
They also inform us of all the political, financial and cultural activities
going on in Chios from the 14th century up to now. The local aristocrats and the
Genoan colonists were the first who built towers in the gardens, around the 14th
century. Later, through the 17-19 century, these towers were turned into cottage
houses of the rich traders of Chios.
The roads of Kambos are narrow, secluded by high fences; they protect
the trees out of dust and the wind and they also help preserve the privacy of
the tenants.
In every estate, the arched doorway with the heavy wooden leaves opens
to the courtyard. This one is usually paved with stones in a design, with trees
and flowers all around, not forgetting the traditional cistern and the well in
it.
The typical mansion of Kambos is tow-stored with a huge murbled staircase.
The first floor was used as the stonehouse while the main rooms were all on the
second floor; there the view goes all the way over the trees.
Kambos has recently been proclaimed by the Greek Ministry of Culture
as a historical site and a number of restoration works has been done both by citizens
and the Public Authorities.
The Municipality of Chios has already restored «Mavrocordatiko»
an old estate in the centre of the area. Many of those mansions are now working
as hostels, because Kambos attracts so many tourists not only in the summer but
in the spring too, when trees and flowers all blossom.
