Mastichochoria - The Mastic Village of Chios

In short: The Mastichochoria (“mastic villages”) are a cluster of fortified medieval villages in the south of Chios — the only place on earth where the mastic tree yields its resin. Built to guard this precious crop from pirates and invaders, they survive today as a living monument of stone architecture and mastic culture.

What is Mastichochoria?

Mastichochoria (Μαστιχοχώρια) is the name for the southern region of the Aegean island of Chios, one of the largest Greek islands. It is the only region in the world where mastic gum — a resin with unique properties — can be obtained from the mastic tree. Mastic production brought the area prosperity, but also the unwanted attention of conquerors and pirates.

This permanent threat led the island’s rulers to build defensive systems and to concentrate mastic production into fortified settlements. Their construction dates back to Byzantine times and flourished under Genoese rule. Despite centuries of damage, the villages remain a valuable monument today.

Development of the mastic villages

The Giustiniani family of Genoa, rulers of Chios from 1346 to 1566, understood the high value of mastic gum and sought absolute control over this monopoly product — protecting it from pirate raids, smuggling and uncontrolled growers.

After counting and “nationalising” all the mastic trees, they established 22 new settlements — the Mastichochoria — in places invisible from the sea and built as impregnable fortresses. This replaced the earlier method of scattered small-village cultivation, which had been almost impossible to control.

Architecture of the mastic villages

The new villages followed the Italian architecture of the time, designed by Latin architects and engineers, with local farmers obliged to help build them. At the centre of each settlement stood a rectangular tower surrounded by houses. The outer walls of the houses formed a defensive wall, with cylindrical turrets and loopholes at the corners. Streets were narrow and often blind, so attackers could not easily reach the tower at the village’s heart — a plan that protected the village and gave the rulers total control over the farmers.

Germata

The houses are built of stone, with a ground floor and a first floor, covered by a semicircular dome (“germata”). Stables and storage filled the ground floor, while the living quarters were hidden on the upper floor. The open rooftop area, called “pounti”, was used for sunbathing and rest.

All rooftops were built to the same height so that, in case of danger, residents could escape from one house to the next. When construction was complete, the Genoese lords settled in the towers and the farmers moved into the new houses. At least 14 older settlements were evacuated and merged into Pyrgi, built in the early 15th century in the heart of the Mastichochoria.

The time of isolation

Under the Genoese, and later during the Ottoman period, access to southern Chios was restricted — no one could enter without good reason. This isolation helped the villagers preserve their traditions and customs, with each village developing its own dialect, costume and character. The best-preserved villages are those spared by the 1881 earthquake: Pyrgi, Mesta, Olympi, Vessa, Kalamoti and Elata. You can learn more at the Mastic Museum.

The villages of Mastichochoria

Frequently asked questions

Bring a piece of Chios home — authentic mastic tears from these very villages.