Mesta is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the south of Chios. The village was established by the merging of smaller Byzantine settlements (14th-15th century ) during the period the Genoese dominated Chios.
Mesta lies southwest of the town of Chios, 35 kilometers away, in the area of Mastihohoria (meaning the “mastic villages”) where the mastiha trees grow. It is a perfectly preserved castle village dated to the medieval period. The houses were built one right next to the other, thereby creating a protective wall surrounding the village.
The open-hearted and kind people of Mesta still preserve the traditions of the 14th century village. The village’s most important custom takes place during the carnival festivities where the “Aghas” trials, a satirical replica of the trials that used to take place under the Turkish Occupation, are presented.
Near the village of Emporios lays the beaches of "Mavra volia" and Foki. The beaches are both covered with black pebbles (mavra volia) created by the volcanic activity of the now extinct volcano of Psaronas. The Genoese used these black stones to pave their yards for their houses built in the Kambos.
