The Mill House

This is a house built initially in the 17th century. The first official record where the house is mentioned is a contract, referring to it as the “millhouse”, and dating to 1785. Since that time, the house changed many hands, up to 1930 when, right after the Asia Minor disaster (1922), it was bought by a family of refugees that came from Smyrna (today Turkey’s Izmir).

The current owners, Angeliki and Manos, inherited the house in 1991. At that time, the house was in a very poor state, and could hardly be inhabited at all. In 1997 restoration started, based on Homer’s and Elina’s plans (Manos’ father and sister respectively). Local master builder Christos Ypsilantis executed a full restoration plan using traditional methods, without the help of modern equipment, such as bulldozers or trucks to carry building materials or debris.

The house took its definitive form in 2004, and is now one of the most distinguished houses in Chora. Its traditional Patmian character, its position on top of the hill, and Angeliki’s taste gave the “millhouse” a wonderful beginning of its 4th century of existence.