Leoforos Enoseos

Leoforos Enosseos means 'Union Avenue'. It was named like this in 1913 when the Municipality Council of Chios decided so, after the attachment of the island to the Greek Country. Enosseos, from the union of Chios with Greece, since it was that street the Greek army walked along to reach Chios town after disembarking in Kontari area on November 11th, 1912. One of the very rare occasions in which the name of the street still exists, although 96 years have passed.

The Pasta Factory

The pasta factory or else the well-known 'Makaronadiko Chouli' lay at the same place where you are now sitting, many decades ago. Right next to the hotel was an estate of Saint Konstantinos' Monastery where there was the open air cinema - theatre 'Tsikolis' a long time ago.

Bella Vista

In the place where nowadays is the Officers' Military Club there used to be the imposing mansion of Mitarakis' family years ago. There lived Georgios Papandreou, the former Prime Minister of Greece, when he was General Commander of the island between the years 1918-1920. In January 1919, his son, Andreas Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece too, was born there.

The best food ever

Since 19th century the area of Bella Vista has been the favorite walking stroll of the high society. According to the tradition only the best restaurants were standing there hosting the best orchestras and bands and from time to time the best waiters. Some waiters were distinguished somehow for their speed, attitude, kindness and willingness. Tipping was unknown but they always managed to earn it by adding an extra drink or charging a little more on the total amount!

Aristocrats

Chios and Bella Vista were always the center of aristocracy. Here you may see Aristotelis Onassis in Bella Vista restaurant of Kasapakis, when he had come to Chios as the husband of Tina Livanou, daughter of one more resident of Bella Vista, the well-known ship-owner Stavros Livanos.

High Life

‘Great pleasure’ the sea water baths in Bella Vista. At the beginning, inside these wooden huts people used to change their clothes and fall into the sea immediately so no one could see them. Later on, the wooden huts remained only for those who could pay a fare and free' swimming was finally allowed. But still in a distance from the noble people who didn't want to be disturbed in any way... mostly for moral reasons!

Terpsithea

The estuaries of Parthenis River, always offered the proper place in the open air for picnics for the residents. Here at its way out to the sea, a little bit southern of Bella Vista, in Terpsithea area, the river also offered great amounts of sand. One of illegal sand gatherings the eye of the photographer caught by chance (?).