The village of Megalo Chorio in Tilos

Built amphitheatrically on the slope of a hill at the top of which the ruins of the Castle of the Knights are preserved. Megalo Chorio is the impressive capital of Tilos.

Until the beginning of the 18th century, the village was within the walls of the castle. Little by little, the area around the walls began to be inhabited, until the entire village was moved to its current location. This new settlement maintains its Dodecanese identity and stands out for its picturesqueness.

Among the stone houses of the Megalo Chorio, one finds parts of the ancient wall. At a distance of 2 kilometers, there is the holiday settlement of Agios Antonios, in the bay of the same name, with the small church of Agios.Also, in Megalo Chorio you will see important religious monuments. Among them stands out the monastery of Agios Panteleimon, the patron saint of the island.

Between the Venetian castle and the Great Village are the abandoned houses of the Little Village, which was deserted when the danger of pirate raids disappeared.

A ghost village is located next to the main road that connects Megalo Chorio with Livadia. It has now been completely abandoned for years, with the sole exception of a bar which, at night, is a magnet for young people in particular. Before the war, Mikro Chorio was not small at all as it had over 750 permanent residents.

The biggest festival, where the whole island participates, takes place on the feast of Saint Panteleimon, which lasts three days, from July 25 to 27. The feast starts the day before and culminates on the last day, with traditional dances and songs. On August 23, the festival of Panagia Kamariani takes place, 3 kilometers from the village.