“On Holy Saturday night the villagers of Vrontádos prepare to set the night on fire. ”
Chios is well known for its magnificent Easter festivities. Known as the Island of Aromas, beautiful ship captain’s mansions feature exquisite flower gardens amidst the island backdrop of peaceful little ports with colourful boats, and classic picturesque windmills by the sea. This idyllic island changes dramatically with Holy Week.
On Holy Saturday night the villagers of Vrontádos prepare to set the night on fire. A rocket war breaks out, dating back to the age of the Turkish occupation (15th to 19th centuries) and turns the village into a virtual battlefield. The conflict is between the Panagoussians (the parishioners of Panayia in Erithiani) and the Aghiomarkoussians (the parishioners of Saint Mark). Both of their rockets are aimed at the dome and emblem of the church of their rivals.
The preparation for this bloodless battle lasts for months. The improvised rockets, made of coal, sulphur and nitre, are placed on wooden stands ready for the ‘gunners of Chios’ to fire. They are teasing and challenging each other with alternate test shots until the sound of horn signals the ‘fire’ ready to begin. The warriors halt to allow locals and visitors to attend the liturgy of the Resurrection, and just at the midnight hour signalling the Resurrection, they release the storm of fire. The spring night sky is aflame with fire and golden orbits of rockets speed to their targets with loud bangs and thunders. The dark of the island night fuses into the red of the cross-fire, while thousands of locals and visitors are spectators in awe of this fascinating and unique to the world, sky spectacle.
On Easter Sunday the beautiful village of Vrontádos is once again a peaceful and pretty place.. The sticks left from the launched rockets around each church are counted, and the winner is announced. Whichever village is the winner, it’s all been in good fun, and the villagers bury the hatchet until the following year’s Easter. The Chios way is that love and friendship conquer all.
Discover Chios
What’s better than experiencing Chios by its tastes? Walk through the small alleys of Chios Town and make several stops to the locals’ favourite places. Visit the local spots and taste the authentic local bites and drinks while learning all the secrets of Chios’ long history with the help of your personal local expert.
Getting There
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