Koumaros rises like an amphitheatre at 370 metres, on the slope of a rocky hill called Koumarovouni, northeast of the castle of Exomvourgo. It has kept its medieval character: stone arches (kamáres), the old well, spotless whitewashed lanes and old fountains. Older villagers remember more than 150 permanent residents; the census counted 49 in 2011 and 19 in 2021. In summer, though, with returning families and visitors, we are more than eight hundred.
The name and its history
The name most likely comes from the koumaria, the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) with its red berries that grows all around. The Venetians called the hill Monte delle forche. The surname Koumarianos already appears in a document of 1446 mentioning one Joannes Cumariano, which suggests the village is much older, possibly Byzantine.
Its position close to the castle proved precious in times of invasion: by a nearby path the villagers could quickly reach the castle gates. Under Ottoman rule, Alibrandi families from the Castle and the French Bonfort family settled here.
Matthaios Vidos (11 January 1847 – 18 September 1924) came from Koumaros. He became Catholic Bishop of Tinos–Mykonos in 1915 and, in 1919, the first Archbishop of Naxos–Tinos–Mykonos–Andros.
The Transfiguration church has two old bells, taken down for repair in 2022. The small one bears the date 1766. The large one, decorated with the Transfiguration, was cast in 1879 at the foundry of Stavros D. Chrysos in Syros and reads «Φωνή Κυρίου» (“Voice of the Lord”).
What to see
- Views over the northern coast of Tinos and unforgettable sunsets — especially from the church courtyard.
- The church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour and the chapel of Evangelistria.
- The arches, the old fountains and the village well.
- The open-air theatre created by the painter Costas Tsoklis in the abandoned convent of Agia Angela, which hosts events.
- Nearby, the Ursuline convent at Loutra.
- The Association’s hall: help yourself to coffee, ice cream, raki or a soft drink, leave the money — and a few words in the visitors’ book, in any language.
- Trails to Exomvourgo and the neighbouring villages, and crags for climbing. See the map.
Feasts
- 5–6 August: the Transfiguration of the Saviour, feast of the church and of the Association, with a family party on the eve.
- 17 August: the great island feast of the Evangelistria, with live music until dawn. More than 500 people come.
- Easter: the meal of love in the Association’s hall, with lamb offered by the Association since 1983.
- Smaller feasts: Agia Loukia (Saint Lucy, 13 December), at her chapel in the heart of the village; Agia Angela (27 January), at the chapel of her convent; and Agios Georgios (Saint George), in spring, at the country chapel of Gryza.
Every spring since about 1991, third-year pupils of the Leonteios Lyceum of Nea Smyrni (Athens) have visited Koumaros.
See events.
Getting here
Koumaros is about 10 km from Chora (Tinos town). Follow the road from Tripotamou Avenue towards Komi; after about 5 km, just before Krokos, turn right to Skalados, drive through the village and turn right towards Koumaros. More on the getting here page.
