Kambos

Kambos, one of the most beautiful areas of the island is an overgrown area, south of the city that is mostly covered by citrus orchards. Groundwater in the region, which comes from the surrounding mountains make Kambos a vast orange grove. The site was chosen by the Genoese, to build their villas in the 14th century, as well as by the local aristocrats in later years (Rallis, Argentis, Petrokokinos, Kalvokoresides etc), creating a new social-economic grid.

 Tall walls made of local stone from Thymiana protect every property from the dust, the wind and the cold. The gardens are watered by manganese wells, which in the past were moved by animals, while now irrigation is done by modern means. Elaborate cisterns, decorated with marble reliefs and spouts, occupy a prominent place in the yard. Shady streets, flower gardens and climbing jasmine create a unique environment.
Houses with two to three storeys rise imposingly above the tops of trees to provide to their owners panoramic views, as well as control of the estate. Internal and external stairwells bound to the building perform functional purposes.

Arched doors and windows, arcades of marble pillars, balconies supported by small arches and huge gates with escutcheons and various reliefs, pebbled courtyards and painted ceilings, give something special to the distinctive architectural rhythm of the local area, a result of local conditions and habits. Unfortunately, the massacre of 1822 and the earthquake of 1881 destroyed some of these important buildings.

Πηγή: chiosonline.gr