Tinos Volax

More about Volax

It is no coincidence that the ancient Greeks believed that the rock formations were remnants of the Titanomachy, the clash between the Titans and the gods of Olympus. Ever since, various other theories have been put forward, as this rare geological phenomenon has attracted international interest since the 1700s, when the first European scientists came to the island. In 1830, after the establishment of the Greek State, France even organized an official expedition, while, a few years later, King Otto dispatched the prominent German geologist Karl Gustav Fiedler to examine the boulders.

Today, it is often suggested that these spectacular pieces of granite are the result of a volcanic eruption that took place millions of years ago or that they are fragments of a meteorite that once landed in Volax. Fascinating as these explanations may seem, scientists now point towards a totally different direction: according to new studies, this phenomenon is, rather, the result of chemical weathering and wind erosion, which, along with tectonic processes, operated with special force over a vast stretch of time.

What is just as striking, perhaps, as the boulders themselves is how harmoniously they blend with the settlement. Indeed, some of the houses have even incorporated parts of the rocks into their structure! Retaining its traditional architectural features, the settlement is so old that the year of its foundation does not feature in any official archives. However, its history seems to have been closely linked with the Venetian occupation of the island, and two of the Doges of Venice actually came from the noble family that ruled Volax.

In a magnificent location approximately 11 kilometers southeast of the village, there is also a quaint Catholic chapel dedicated to Panagia Calaman. Last but not least, a small yet beautiful stone-built open-air theater now adorns the area of Volax, hosting a plethora of cultural events during the summer months.