Greece's Tinos island home to 1,000 Orthodox chapels
There are more than 1,000 private chapels on the Greek Cycladic island of Tinos, built by families out of faith, gratitude or as a promise. They shape the landscape and promote a sense of community.
Faith built in stone
More than 1,000 chapels dot the landscape of the Greek island of Tinos, located approximately 150 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Athens. As part of a centuries-old tradition, families maintain their mostly simple room-sized stone chapels with great care.
A holy island
For Greek Orthodox believers, Tinos is considered a holy island — shaped by a deep-rooted religious tradition and a strong veneration of the Virgin Mary, which continues to influence the spiritual life of its inhabitants to this day. With an area of 197 square kilometers (76 square miles), it's the third-largest island in the Cyclades, after Naxos and Andros.
Preserving heritage
The whitewashed chapels belong to people of all generations and walks of life — from goat herders to hotel owners, from devout Christians to atheists. Together, they preserve the heritage of their ancestors and celebrate Panigiri, which is the traditional festival in honor of the Virgin Mary or respective patron saint.
Connecting generations
"This tradition and custom that connect us between members of the family is part of our identity. I’m fully committed to maintaining and passing them down to my children," Ioanna Krikelli told The Associated Press during the September celebration at her family's church, Agios Sostis, which was founded in the 17th century.
Creating a sense of community
An hourlong evening liturgy was celebrated in the chapel, with its two bell towers crowned with simple crosses, while hundreds of worshipers gathered in the festively decorated front garden. This gathering remains an essential part of the celebrations to this day, even if many such events now take place on a smaller scale.
Each chapel is unique
In the Cyclades, especially on Sifnos and Tinos, there is more than one chapel for every 10 inhabitants — a legacy of earlier empires that ruled these islands, which are strategically located between Europe and Asia. Although almost all chapels follow the typical Cycladic style, with white facades, blue accents, cubic shapes and flat roofs, each one bears its own signature.
Buffer against Ottoman Empire
The Venetians, who ruled Tinos from the 13th to the early 18th century, granted land rights to farmers as a buffer against the Ottomans. After the Ottoman takeover, according to Maria Vidali, an architect who has researched the chapels, the locals were able to continue to preserve hundreds of chapels on their land and build new ones, as she explained to the AP news agency.
'The feeling is serenity. I lose the time here'
Most chapels are always open and offer oil for candlewicks, sweets and water for pilgrims. Romanos Vasilopoulos often visits the family church of Panagia Faneromeni, which was built in the early 19th century on the remains of a 17th-century chapel. Though he does not regularly attend Sunday services, he finds something unique in his chapel.
Faith as a shared heritage
"It's better here because you find God closer. You can concentrate more on faith," said Nikos Levantis, whose family owns three chapels. "It's just the stones and the view, and they carry stories and memories," said Vasilopoulos. He and two cousins are upholding the custom to honor their family, religion and tradition.