Chios activities
Rocket War of Chios Island
Experience the famous Rouketopolemos tradition in Vrontados during Greek Orthodox Easter.
The famous Rouketopolemos tradition
The Rocket War of Chios, known locally as Rouketopolemos, is one of the island's most famous Easter traditions.
It takes place in Vrontados on the night before Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday and is connected with the rival parishes of Saint Mark and Panagia Ereithiani.
A spectacular Easter experience
The event has become known far beyond Chios and attracts visitors who want to witness a unique local custom filled with sound, light and emotion.
For the people of Chios, it remains a powerful symbol of Easter, faith, identity and local tradition.
How the battle works
The two churches stand on hilltops about 400 meters apart. Each parish fires tens of thousands of homemade rockets at the other's bell tower, launching them in their hundreds from angled ramps.
Direct hits on the belfries are counted the next day. Each parish usually claims victory, so the two agree to settle the score the following Easter.
From cannons to rockets
The exact origins of the custom are unclear. Local tradition places it in the Ottoman period, and folklore says real cannons were used until the authorities banned them in 1889.
The churches and nearby buildings are protected with metal sheets and mesh. The event was cancelled in 2016 after complaints about property damage and returned in 2017 with limits on its duration and the number of rockets.
Watch safely and respectfully
Visitors should always follow local safety instructions and watch from recommended viewing areas.
Voulamandis House in Kambos offers a peaceful base for experiencing Easter in Chios while staying within reach of Vrontados and the island's other traditions.
Voulamandis House
Stay at Voulamandis House during Easter in Chios
Plan your Easter stay in Chios and experience one of the island's most unforgettable traditions.
