Mastichochoria · Easy
Mesta lanes and gates
Why walk it
The most complete surviving mastic village, walked the way it was designed to be entered.
The route
1Enter through the main gate and walk directly to the central square and the Taxiarchis church.
2Take any lane leading outward and follow the vaulted passages — the plan is a spiral, so the outer ring returns you.
3Trace the outer defensive wall from inside: the back walls of the houses are the fortification.
4Find the second, smaller church and the surviving corner tower positions before returning to the square.
At a glance
- Distance
- 1.5 km · circular
- Walking time
- 45 min
- Effort
- Easy
- Underfoot
- Flagstone lanes and vaulted passages inside the village walls. Flat, uneven underfoot, no waymarking needed — the walls keep you in.
- Shade and water
- Deep shade for most of the circuit; the vaults stay cool even in August. Tap water and cafés on the central square.
- Best time
- Any hour. Early morning and the hour before dinner are quietest.
- Start
- The main square by the church of the Taxiarchis, Mesta. Park outside the walls; cars do not enter.
Before you set out
These are lived-in houses. Keep to the lanes, keep your voice down and do not photograph into doorways.
These are lived-in houses. Keep to the lanes, keep your voice down and do not photograph into doorways.
On the way
Walking times are estimates.
They assume an unhurried pace and no stops. Add time for heat, photographs and lunch.
They assume an unhurried pace and no stops. Add time for heat, photographs and lunch.