Island
in the Cyclades in antiquity it was known as the "island
of the winds," the modern name being derived from the Phoenician
tenok, meaning "snake"; in ancient times it was also
called Ophiousa. One of the largest of the Cyclades, it is a rugged
mass of granite, schist, and limestone, about 75 square miles
(194 square km) in area. It lies between Andros (northwest) and
Mikonos (southeast) islands, being separated from the former by
a narrow channel. Geologically it is a continuation of Andros
island but is much lower and flatter. At the beginning of the
10th century BC the island was inhabited mainly by Ionians. It
was dominated by Eretria (in the 6th century BC) and was later
subject to Rhodes (in the 2nd century BC). The Venetians held
it for five centuries after 1207, and the Turks occupied it in
1714, holding it until the Greeks rebelled in 1821.  In
antiquity the island was well known for its cult of Poseidon and
Amphitrite. With the advent of the Venetians in the 13th century,
Roman Catholicism became predominant. Following the discovery
of an icon of the Panaýia (Virgin Mary) in 1822 by a nun
named Pelagia, Tinos is more of a pilgrimage than a tourist island
resort. Here is the church of Panagia Evagelistria, home to an
icon with reportedly curative powers, discovered in 1823. Twice
each year, on March 25 and August 15, the devout make a trip to
Tinos to worship the Virgin Mary. The port and capital city, Tinos,
is built almost in a perfect circle and is quite picturesque,
with small street cafes and restaurants.
Crowning the city is the Church of Panagia Evagelistria, (Our
Lady of Good Tidings), which was built in 1822 to house the icon,
which is venerated for its healing powers-, while non-pilgrims
might find interest in the Geometric exhibits at the towns Archaeological
museum. Tinos is also home to the Ursulines Catholic Convent,
and is the Cycladic island with the strongest Catholic tradition.
That is why Tinos became a Greek Orthodox place of pilgrimage.
A road of local marble leads pilgrims for the feasts of the Annunciation
and Assumption to this sanctuary. Agriculture on the terraces
found throughout the island includes cultivation of grapes for
wine, figs, and vegetables.
Tinos is renowned for a bluish marble quarried locally since the
second century AD; the Tinians have long had a reputation as skillful
artisans in that stone. The local houses are whitewashed and often
have dovecotes housing pigeons for domestic consumption.
Pilgrims every August make their way to the island, being the
sacred island of the Virgin Mary (Panagia), to receive a blessing
and make a solemn promise or offering. From the harbor of Tinos
a wide cobbled street leads up to a mound on which the magnificent
Church of Panagia stands. Built out of marble from Tinos and Paros
at the very spot that the miraculous icon of Panagia (Virgin Mary)
was discovered, it towers imposingly above the whole town of Tinos.
Other places of interest on Tinos are, the Gallery of Tinos Artists
and Modern Greek Painters and the Archeological Museum of Tinos,
in which among other items displayed, are the statues from the
Sanctuary of Poseidon and Amphitrite. The island is linked to
Piraeus, Míkonos, Rafina and Ándros by ferry.
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