The Psara island cluster that is northwest of the island of Chios encompasses 7 islets, the largest of which is called Psara. The smaller islets include Antipsara, Kato Nisi, Aye Nikolaki, Daskalio, Prasonisi and Nisopoula. This island cluster is approximately 48 nautical miles north west of the island of Chios.
Psara, in addition to the 6 islets, exhibits a rocky terrain filled with hills and mountains. The highest mountain on the island is Prophitis Ilias (Ilias the Prophet) that extends 640 meters. This rocky terrain is inadequate for cultivation, thus the 500 inhabitants of the island were forced to turn to maritime activities for income. 
These islands offer peace and tranquility, rest and relaxation to their visitors. There are no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace and the inhabitants of the island extend their heartfelt warmth and genuine hospitality to visitors.
Psara is a small island close to the northwestern part of Chios. The birthplace of revolutionary war hero Admiral Kanaris, as well as of other significant heroes of the war of Independence like Apostolis, Nicodemus and Vratsanos, Psara devoted its merchant fleets -the third largest in 1820s Greece after those of Hydra and Spetses - to the cause of independence, and paid dearly for it. Vexed beyond endurance, the Turks landed overwhelming forces in 1824 to stamp out this nest of resistance. Perhaps 3000 of the 30,000 inhabitants escaped in small boats which were rescued by a French fleet, but the majority retreated to a hilltop powder magazine and blew it (and themselves) up rather than surrender.
The nationalist poet Dhionysios Solomos immortalized the incident in famous stanzas:
On the Black Ridge of Psaru,
Glory walks alone.
She meditates on her heroes
And wears in her hair a wreath
Made from a few dry weeds
Left on the barren ground.
Psara, means "the grey things" in Greek, never recovered from the holocaust. The Turks burned whatever houses and vegetation the blast had missed, and the permanent population barely exceeds four hundred. In modern times a 1980s revitalization project was instigated by a French-Greek descendant of Kanaris and a Greek team.
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Located in the small fishing village, the Archeological Museum contains findings discovered during excavations. The Museum displays pots and amphoras that were used in the ancient city that is believed to be beneath the village.
THE CHURCH OF AGHIOS NIKOLAOS (St. Nicholas)
The church is at the top of a small hill in the village and gives a gorgeous, panoramic view of the village and the port. Construction of this uniquely shaped basilica began in 1785 and was completed in 1793. This was Constantine Kanaris' starting point for his attack on the Turkish flagship.
THE MONASTERY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY
