The small picturesque town of Inousses, or Egnousa, with its 500 inhabitants, has been
distinctively declared a municipality and is built on the southern side of the island.
Its inhabitants, who are mostly fishermen or occupy themselves in the production of the
famous local wine, are people with free spirits, gentle manners and cheerful characters.
The snow white houses of the village are made of stone, like its mansions, which are
majestic and typical examples of traditional architecture. Most of the public buildings
and the works of embellishment of the town carry the stamp of their donors. In front
of the harbour stands the bronze statue of the mermaid that the locals call "Metaira
Inoussiotissa" (Mother of Inoussa) and is believed to protect the ships approaching
the harbour. In Inoussa, with its great marine tradition, there is a remarkable Marine
Museum, which houses the precious miniature collection of Antonis Laimos, with ship
models from the Napoleon Wars, as well as works by the popular painter, Aristeides
Glykas, pictures, lithographies portraying ships from the beginning of the century, books
and local costumes. In the centre of the town, there is the church of Agios Nikolaos, who
is the patron saint of the island, while in the quiet small tavernas all kinds of seafood
delicacies are served, as well as the famous "boureklikia", made of dough stuffed with
various vegetables. A 10 minute distance from the village lies the notable Monastery of
Evangelismos (Annunciation). The five islands, two miles off the northeast coast of Chios
are known by the name of the largest island, Inoussa. In antiquity the island was famous
for its wine (Oinos) and it is believed that this is also the origin of the name "Inousses".
During the Greek revolution of 1821, the inhabitants fled from the islands; they came back
after 1827. When they returned to the island, the people had to withstand the many
difficulties caused by the Turkish occupation. Because of the heavy taxes, most of the
men became seafarers. Many of these managed to become ship-owners, and today some
of the richest and most famous ship owners worldwide come from this small island.
Oinousses has also one of Greece's major maritime schools. There is a small hotel, a few
rooms to let, cafes, taverns, and many pleasant beaches. There a boat with frequent
service from the city of Chios to Oinousses and during the summer many travel agencies
organize various excursions to the islands. These excursions often include visiting some
small coastal villages (such as Langada with its famous taverns), making the trips an
excellent combination of sea, sun, and greek food. On the jagged coasts of the largest island
of the Oinousses group, lies beautiful Egnoussa, which faces westwards across the waves of
Chios. A nice borough, ornate with high mansions built in the traditional Aegean “island”
architectural style, Egnoussa has approximately 800 inhabitants, all occupied with maritime
activities.  Egnoussa is the birthplace of some major Greek ship owners, who established their
maritime headquarters in the great shipping centers of London and New York. The village is
perched on the side of a hill.  Beautiful winding streets, paved with slabs, lead to the Zepaga
coastline, the island’s harbor and the center of local life. During the summer, the harbor of
Egnoussa is full of yachts and boats that belong mainly to the natives who left the island
to live abroad, returning for vacations and visits with relatives and friends. The church of Aghios
Nicolaos (Saint Nicholas) is in the center of this island’s settlement, and is surrounded by
traditional houses with tile roofs, the pride and joy of the natives.