Visit the Dovecotes in Tinos, Greece
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Tinos may not be the most popular island to visit in Greece, but it has a beautiful charm that makes it absolutely worth visiting. As one of the islands int he Cyclades, it has a distinct landscape and architecture. Since it isn’t as popular for tourists as some of the other islands in this group, the crowds are kept at a minimum, which means it could be a relaxing choice for the visitors that do make it here.
One of the most distinct features of Tinos is its unique architecture. The Dovecotes are a unique architectural feature of the island and they also have an interesting history. Here’s more information about them and why you should pay them a visit while here:
History of the Dovecotes
If we’re looking for a starting point on the history of the building of the Tinos Dovecotes, we have to go back to the seventeenth century and the eighteenth century. It is believed that many of the oldest dovecotes in Tinos, Greece were built during that period. The creators of those dovecotes were none other than the Venetians. The Venetians used their skilled tradesmen to build sophisticated dovecotes primarily so that they can build on their ongoing implementation to breed piegons.
They were responsible for the original implementation of the systematic breeding of piegons. Back in the 15th century, the Venetians started to breed pigeons after discovering that their meat was very tasty. It was also due to the fact that they discovered that the pigeon’s droppings could result in some high-quality manure. At the time, the Venetians were in the midst of their long five-century reign over Tinos (1200-1715). Once the Venetian reign was over, the citizens of Tinos began to build their own dovecotes in greater numbers.
Architecture and Construction of Dovecotes
The Dovecotes are stone structures with multiple levels. They are built in such a way that it looks like fortresses. Additionally, dovecotes are made out of slate clay. Dovecotes are generally whitewashed. One will see that the Dovecotes are made with geometric patterns such as rhomboids and triangles.
Dovecotes also have patterns such as cypress trees and patterns that represent many variations of the sun. These patterns have been known to attract the doves to the structure. In general, the doves live on the second floor of the dovecotes. The first floor is used for storing utensils, tools and agricultural equipment.
Where to Find the Dovecotes
The Dovecotes in Tinos are strategically built in the countryside near cultivated areas. Generally, they are built on slopes at a strategic angle so that doves can take off and land with ease in the structure. Generally, it is built near a location where water is easily accessible. There are over 600 Dovecotes. Dovecotes can be generally found in the villages of Komi, Krokos Villages, Tarabados Valley and Kardiani Village.
It is easy to see why the Dovecotes are such beautiful trademarks of the city of Tinos! These well-preserved structures have stood the test of time as they are still prominent today. It is definitely a great option to visit while here.
Categorized in: About Tinos, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
