Palia Potamia

Palia Potamia is an abandoned village in northwestern Chios, hidden in a ravine on the slopes of Mount Amani. Built where two seasonal streams, Apesos and Karydatos, meet, the settlement takes its name from the waterways that run through the area. Its secluded location once offered protection from pirate raids, as the village was difficult to spot from the sea.

The village is believed to have been founded around the 17th century. However, its remote position, limited sunlight and damp living conditions made everyday life difficult. During the mid-20th century, residents began leaving the settlement and moving to Nea Potamia, a new village established about 2 km away.

The village schoolmaster, Ioannis Michael Poulis, played an important role in the relocation. In 1956, he gathered residents' signatures and submitted a request to the local authorities for a new settlement. The decision was also influenced by damage to the area's road network caused by the 1949 earthquake, which made access to the old village even more difficult. Nea Potamia was inaugurated in 1964, and by the early 1970s the original settlement had been abandoned.

Today, the ruins of stone houses remain scattered across the ravine. Among the surviving buildings are the old village school, built in 1912, and the restored Church of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony). Together, they offer a glimpse into the life of a community that eventually left its ancestral home in search of better living conditions.

The Night of Lanterns

Although Palia Potamia is deserted for most of the year, it comes alive every 16 January, on the eve of the feast of Saint Anthony. Residents of Nea Potamia and neighbouring villages gather at the church for the evening service and place lit lanterns among the ruins of the old houses.

Known as the Night of Lanterns, this local tradition honours the village's former residents and keeps their memory alive. As the lanterns illuminate the abandoned buildings, the settlement briefly regains a sense of life, creating a poignant connection between the present-day community and its past.

Palia Potamia is worth visiting if you are interested in abandoned villages, traditional architecture and the lesser-known history of Chios. Along with Anavatos and Avgonyma, it offers a different perspective on the island, away from its beaches and busier tourist destinations.

How to Get to Palia Potamia

Palia Potamia is approximately 46 km from Chios Town, and the drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on road and driving conditions. Its remote location makes it worth planning your visit in advance.