Tinos

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Volakas (Volax)

Volakas or Volax is built on a small plateau, at an altitude of 284m. in the middle of Tinos. A large number of almost perfectly large spherical rocks scattered throughout the area, gives the whole landscape a lunar appearance. According to legends the rocks is what was left of the battle between the Giants and Titans. There is another version which states that a part of a meteorite that once struck the area resulted in the formation of the rocks. Their shapes sometimes resemble to animals, birds and human bodies but most of the time just to balls, whence the name of the village. For the few inhabitants of the village, the monoliths are part of their everyday life.

In our days the village attracts many tourists and naturalists and is also a pole of attraction for climbers. During Easter many climbers come to Greece from all over the world for rock climbing and bouldering (raising elevated low rocks without ropes) while in springtime teams of Paintball fans show up, using the landscape as a theater of operations. But essentially, it is and it has always been a place where groups of travelers come to discover its old paths and unique morphology. 

Volakas is among the oldest villages of the island that was officially registered under the name Volacus in the 1618 State documents of the former Venice administration. It has always been, and still is, the village of basket braiding, from which locals economically depend. The long history of the art of basket braiding is confirmed even by the beliefs of the religious tradition.

Among the places worth visiting is the Folklore Museum which is open from Easter until the end of October and the 380-seat amphitheater where many musical and theatrical performances take place. Walking through the village you will find the old fountain and you will read the poems that are written in old doors of the village. Each year two big festivals are organized: the first Thursday after Easter takes place the "Maranta", the big feast of "Panagia Kalaman" and on the 8th of September the village celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary. The church of the "Virgin Mary or Kalaman” is the oldest recorded church in the area.

From Volax start and cross, wonderful paths to Agapi, Falatados and the surrounding villages. The village has restaurants that serve “fourtalies”, local sausages and other local recipes. As you will also find 4-5 shops selling the famous hand-made baskets and other traditional local products.