Nestled in the Mastichochoria, a cluster of medieval villages in Southern Chios, lies the Chios Mastic Museum. This extraordinary museum is dedicated to the remarkable mastic tree, scientifically known as Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, is found exclusively in this Mediterranean haven.
Locally referred to as "skínos" in Greek, this endemic pistacia plant yields the precious gum mastic, or mastíha, known for its myriad uses.
The Chios Mastic Museum serves as a window into the rich history of mastic tree cultivation and the meticulous processing of its resin, intricately woven into the cultural fabric of Chios. It sheds light on the enduring legacy of this Chios gem, notably recognized by UNESCO, which added traditional mastic cultivation to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
Exploring the Museum:
The museum's permanent exhibition revolves around Chios mastíha, a unique natural product. The introductory segment delves into the mastic tree and its prized resin, acknowledged in 2015 as a natural medicine. The first section unravels the age-old wisdom behind mastic cultivation, while the second zone delves into how this cultivation influenced the agricultural landscapes and historic settlements of southern Chios and the Mastichochoria. The third section is dedicated to the modern cooperative exploitation and processing of mastíha resin, a pivotal chapter in Chios's productive history, and highlights the diverse global applications of mastíha. The immersive museum experience extends to the outdoor exhibition, where visitors can connect with the mastic plant and its flourishing natural habitat.
Address
Pyrgi, Rachi site (Tepeki)
821 02 Chios, Greece
Telephone: (+30) 22710 72212
Fax: (+30) 22710 72215
