The settlement has existed since Antiquity. The Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods all left their trace in it. The settlement was founded by immigrants from nearby islands, escaping from the frequent pirate attacks. At the beginning of the 18th century the small port and its mixed Turkish and Greek population experienced an economic upsurge, thanks to the production of olive oil and trade with other Mediterranean cities. One of the oldest buildings is the Taksiarhis Church from 1844. Remaining from this time are also olive oil and soap factories, a commercial zone with a grid plan and two- and three-storey traditional stone houses, some semi-detaches, some separated by small gardens. Perched on the hills, these houses with their typical windows, form vivacious and colourful vistas. The local community is heritage-conscious and keeps its urban environment intact.