Voila Medieval Village

Voila looks smaller on the map than it feels once you are among the ruins. On a hill by the plateau of Ziros, Armeni and Chandras, the deserted settlement preserves almost fortress-like facades facing the valley, parts of a wall, vaulted buildings, storage and stable areas, and houses stepping into the slope.

The history is more specific than the word “ruins” suggests. During the Venetian period, Voila was a fief of the noble Salomon family; at the church of Agios Georgios they added an extension containing the family tomb. Suddenly you are not merely looking at attractive old walls, but at a place with a social and architectural story.

The great advantage is scale. Twenty to thirty minutes can be enough if you walk attentively and read the layout of the settlement. The ground is uneven, so sturdy footwear helps. Late light suits the texture of the walls particularly well, but a medieval village does not need to become a compulsory sunset appointment.

Voila works especially well when you are already around Chandras and want an atmospheric history stop. It is too small to justify a major detour for one quick photograph. For travellers who enjoy reading the story between the walls rather than only posing in front of them, it is surprisingly rewarding.