As you leave Menites, on the main road to Chora, you will drive along the valley of Messaria (to your right). Messaria was once the economic heart of the area and a centre of silk production. Although noting of this remains today, it is definitely worth stopping by to visit this verdant village, its remarkable towers and its marble fountains. Must-sees in the area include the 12th century Church of the Archangel Michael with its multi-colour marble iconostasis and its frescoes, the St. Nicholas Church with its beautiful wood-cut-iconostasis and the Church of Our Lady “the Bulgarian”. In Aladino, you will come across two magnificent stone bridges. A little further down the road, you will find the cave of Foros, which is now open to visit. As you drive past the village, the road continues to Fallika – a village with an unobstructed view across the east side of the island- where a wide range of cultural events take place in the summer, including a “fourtalia festival” (traditional omelette with local sausage).
