By Nicolas Bard

Volax or Vollakas is one of the most beautiful and special villages in Tinos. It is perched at an altitude of 340 meters, on a small plateau in the center of the island, 17 kilometers from Chora, and has less than 100 permanent residents. The element that differentiates Volakas from the other villages of the island is the spooky and lunar landscape around the settlement. Small and large granite rocks of volcanic origin create a visual spectacle, which we hardly encounter. This peculiar landscape combined with traditional Cycladic architecture and picturesque churches create an extremely cinematic setting.

According to Greek mythology, the rocks that are scattered around the settlement come from Titanic. The legend says that the battle between the Titans and the gods of Olympus took place in Tinos, and more specifically in the Volakas area, while the rocks were the main munitions of the two superpowers. References are found in Homer and Hesiod.

However, with the origin of these eerie rocks not only mythology but also science was involved. According to the dominant scientific theory, the rocks came from the fall of a meteorite. Vollakas is regarded as the crater created during the fall, while the rocks were his various parts that were scattered in the area. Another theory argues that the rocks are the result of volcanic eruption, which took place 20 million years ago! The rocks were fired and over time they acquired their present form.

Thanks to Volakas and its unique rocks, Tinos evolved into an international climbing destination, with high levels. There, climbing enthusiasts can enjoy two types of climbing: with rope and bouldering, that is, climbing on low rocks – a maximum height of five meters – without the use of a rope, and with the only safe placement of special layers on the ground. If you are not an extreme sports lover again, you can just hike in this gorgeous place.

However, apart from the particular geological formations, you will find many traditional basketball workshops in Volakas, where even today craftsmen build the famous baskets. There you can see how they are made, shop or make your own baskets! Continuing your ride to the village, you will find many traditional taverns to try the local specialties on the island. Leaving, do not forget to get capers, sausages, thyme honey, sun -dried tomatoes, Malani (small cheese), round (local spicy cheese) and sauce (air salami).

As everywhere, here, the heart of the village is its people! In Volakas, therefore, there is a folklore museum depicting the lives of the locals in the 19th century. Through about 250 separate exhibits you will learn everything about life in the village, livestock work, the daily life of a family, as well as the social and ecclesiastical life of people of another era. All this against the backdrop of the traditional settlement of Volakas, which maintains its color unchanged over the years.