Mesta Agios Efstratios Ferry

Mesta Guide

The medieval settlement of Mesta is located on the Greek island of Chios, which lies in the Aegean Sea and is the fifth largest Greek island. Chios is located just 7 km off the Anatolian coast and is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The cobbled ring road around Mesta is wonderful as is the Church of Taxiarxis, the village square called 'Livadi' by the locals and the village's imposing tower. The village's current residents have managed to retain a sense of village traditions that existed in the 14th century and have managed to find the right blend between history and modern life. Perhaps the most important event that takes place in the village occurs during the carnival festivities where the 'Agas' trials are presented. These are a satirical replica of the trials that used to take place under Turkish Occupation.

Mesta is home to the island's second port and provides year round ferry services to the island of Psara and Lavrion in Attica.

Agios Efstratios Guide

The small Greek island of Agios Efstratios lies in the Aegean Sea and is around 80 km to the north west of the island of Lesbos and 30 km to the south of the island of Lemnos. Located in a valley formed by two dry river beds is the island's only village and is also where the island's resident's had their vegetable gardens before an earthquake struck in 1968. Before the earthquake the island's village was located on the top of a hill, above the harbour, and was made up of stone built two or three storey traditional houses. However, following the earthquake the village's residents were forced to move by the then military government. Some of the old houses have survived and have been restored by some of the island's current residents. One of the surviving buildings, the Marasleios School of 1909 is now home to the Museum of Democracy. Aside from the abandoned village, other popular attractions on the island include the ruins of the ancient city of Agios Minas and the churches of Christos, Agios Nikolaos and Agios Vasileios, built in 1727.

From the island's harbour, ferries depart to some of the island's in the nearby Sporades group of islands including Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skyros. Also, the islands of the North Aegean are connected to Agios Efstratios but via a third island and also are the ports of Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupoli.