This
group of nine tiny islands lies 9 n. mi. east of Chios. Only one,
Inoussa, is inhabited so that its beaches are deserted and the
landscape completely unspoilt. One
can reach Inousses by boat from Chios and, in summer, from Piraeus
as well.
Adorned
by beautiful vegetation, Inousses is a get away from tourist-filled
resorts. It is very quiet offering the pleasures of peaceful relaxation
away from the crowds. In the capital village of the island, which
is also its port, the visitor will have a chance to visit the
maritime museum, home to paintings of famous Greek artist Aristidis
Glykas, as well as a collection of models depicting ships employed
in the Napoleonic wars.
The small picturesque town of Inousses, or Egnousa, with its 500
inhabitants, has been distinctively declared a municipality and
is built on the southern side of the island. Its
inhabitants, who are mostly fishermen or occupy themselves in
the production of the famous local wine, are people with free
spirits, gentle manners and cheerful characters. The snow white
houses of the village are made of stone, like its mansions, which
are majestic and typical examples of traditional architecture.
Most of the public buildings and the works of embellishment of
the town carry the stamp of their donors.
In front of the harbour stands the bronze statue of the mermaid
that the locals call "Metaira Inoussiotissa" (Mother
of Inoussa) and is believed to protect the ships approaching the
harbour. In Inoussa, with its great marine tradition, there is
a remarkable Marine Museum, which houses the precious miniature
collection of Antonis Laimos, with ship models from the Napoleon
Wars, as well as works by the popular painter, Aristeides Glykas,
pictures, lithographies portraying ships from the beginning of
the century, books and local costumes. In the centre of the town,
there is the church of Agios Nikolaos, who is the patron saint
of the island, while in the quiet small tavernas all kinds of
seafood delicacies are served, as well as the famous "boureklikia",
made of dough stuffed with various vegetables. A 10 minute distance
from the village lies the notable Monastery of Evangelismos.
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