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The uninhabited village Mikro Chorio on Tilos

A few kilometres north of Livadia lies the abandoned and fascinating village of Mikro Chorio. As far as in the 1950s, Mikro Chorio was like any Greek village: one went to the church on Sundays, old men sat in cafes and children played in the alleys. But the water in the wells dried up and the inhabitants abandoned their houses and moved to Megalo Chorio or Livadia.

 

The abandoned village of Mikro Chorio on Tilos.

Micro Chorio seen from Timia Zoni church.

 

Before the Second World War, there lived 1,750 people in Mikro Chorio. There were about 250 children, and three schools. In 1962 there lived 32 people here, in 1965 here were only 1 poor inhabitant left.

 

The uninhabited village of Mikro Chorio on Tilos in Greece.

Mikro Chorio seen from the road leading to the village.

 

Mikro Chorio seen from the road between Livadia and Megalo Chorio.

Mikro Chorio seen from the road between Livadia and Megalo Chorio.




Today, the goats have taken over the village. They are everywhere. The more than 200 houses that remain are in pretty good repair, only a few are totally devastated. Almost all houses have no roof. The villagers brought their roofs (wood was scarce even then) when they moved and used them when they built their new houses.

 

Today, no people live in Mikro Chorio, instead hundreds of goats have moved in.

Today, goats have taken over Mikro Chorio.

 

Curious goats and an old wheat mill in Mikro Chorio.

The goats are extremely curious and can be found everywhere.

 

The church has been renovated to its original repair and some buildings have been renovated in recent years. Who knows, in the future Mikro Chorio maybe inhabited again.

 

The renovated church in Mikro Chorio.

Den renoverade kyrkan i Mikro Chorio.


Above the renovated church is a church that is at least as interesting as the large church. It is called Timia Zoni and dates from 1787. Outside Timia Zoni is the Mikro Chorio cemetery, and it really makes me think. The tombs are different from any other tombs I have seen in Greece. One of the graves is outside the entrance to Timia Zoni church, and I imagine a priest is buried there because it is in such good condition.

 

Timia Zoni church in Mikro Chorio on Tilos.

Outside the entrance to Timia Zoni church there is a grave where a priest may lie.

 

The cemetery outside Timia Zoni church in Mikro Chorio on Tilos.

The cemetery outside the Timia Zoni church.

 

Old graves with crosses in Mikro Chorio.

The tombs are different from any other tombs I have seen in Greece.


It is fascinating to wander around in the deserted village and fantasize about how life once took form. How did it look here? Did people sit at that old taverna? Was it a queue outside the church? Did children play in the alleys on the hill? It's really a strange feeling to walk around in a deserted village.

 

Main street in Mikro Chorio on Tilos.

The main street in Mikro Chorio must have been full of life once upon a time.

 

Most of the houses in Mikro Chorio are in ruins.

Inside one of the ruined houses.

 

The abandoned taverna in uninhabited Mikro Chorio.

Are those old taverna signs on the ceiling? Who knows?


The oven in the old bakery in Mikro Chorio.

It really is a strange feeling to wander around a completely deserted village.

 

Above the village is an old Kastro (castle/fortress) where the villagers hid from pirates.

Above the village is an old Kastro (castle/fortress) where the villagers hid from pirates.

 

Many of the houses in Mikro Chorio have their owners' names written on the walls.

Many of the houses in Mikro Chorio have their owners' names written on the walls.


If you are a bird watcher, I can recommend you to visit Mikro Chorio and the surroundings nearby. We have seen many exciting birds here, including Bonelli's Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard and many Eleonora's falcons. Go here early in the morning when there are the most birds in motion. Feel free to bring your breakfast and eat it here, there is no better start to the day.

 

Bird watching in Mikro Choria on Tilos.

Bird watching in Mikro Chorio.

 

The leafy trees and bushes outside Mikro Choria are one of Tilo's best birding locations.

Bird watching outside Mikro Chorio.

 

For a short period during high season the village comes alive thanks to Mikro Chorio Music Bar. Two guys from the island have been running this popular music bar in one of the old houses for a few years now, on the terrace you can drink drinks and look out over the abandoned village, the night-black landscape and the starry sky. Free bus to and from Mikro Chorio departs from Eleni Minimarket near the police station in Livadia. The buses start running around 23.00 and run until early morning.

 

Mikro Chorio Music Bar opens at 23.00 and closes early in the morning.

Mikro Chorio Music Bar opens at 23.00 and closes early in the morning.

 

The church in Mikro Chorio and Mikro Chorio Music Bar in Tilos island.

The church in Mikro Chorio and Mikro Chorio Music Bar.


The nicest way to get to Mikro Chorio is to hike from Livadia. The path is well-marked and it is impossible to get lost. Of course, you can also drive a car and moped. A clearly more difficult, but oh so cool, way to get to Mikro Chorio is to hike to Lethra beach and then follow the stream gorge up to the village.

 

Hike to Mikro Chorio from Livadia on Tilos.

The sign from the road between Livadia and Megalo Chorio points to Mikro Chorio.

 

Hike to Mikro Chorio from Lethra beach on Tilos.

View from Mikro Chorio over the bay where Lethra beach is located



WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT MIKRO CHORIO

 

Do not miss the uninhabited village of Gera when you have visited Mikro Chorio on the island of Tilos in Greece.

Don't miss Tilos other uninhabited village Gera, which you can read about here »


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