Almost everywhere in Tinos you will see Pigeonniers.

A Pigeonnier is a special building used for housing and breeding pigeons, but the Peristeriones of Tinos are something more. They often have two or three floors, the upper is used for the pigeons while the lower as storage space. Peristeriones- Pigeonniers have small openings (so that only the pigeons can fit inside) facing west and east, but never to the north to be protect from the wind. In the old days pigeons were bred for their meat and people made use of their droppings as fertilizer in the fields.

The pigeonniers show Tinian craftsmanship at its best. Made primarily from shale and decorated ornately, these unique attractions will immediately draw your attention.

It is probably the Henets that established in Tinos the breeding of pigeons and the pigeonniers. Indeed, initially only the feudal lords were entitled to have a pigeonnier so it became a symbol of economic and class superiority. When the Henets left, the inhabitants of Tinos were finally free to acquire their own peristeriona and thus created unique architectural masterpieces with excellent decorations to distinguish themselves (and irritate their neighbors).

Today Tinos has hundreds peristeriones- pigeonniers that you can admire (some say they're over 700) but it is very hard to find two completely identical. They all have their own drawings and their own unique beauty. Chose Tinos for your vacations and discover them all (or as many as you can)!