Mesta is one of the biggest villages of Chios with a population of 500 residents. It is located at the southwest part of Chios. It is considered to be one of the most well-preserved villages as most of its buildings retain their initial look. Its establishment is dated back in the beginning of the 8th century AC. Defensive purposes were the main reason behind the village establishment, and that is why the village looked like a fort. This was the only way that the frequent pirate raids would come to a hold.
There are various story versions about the village’s name. In older medieval scripts, Mesta is referred under the name of Amista, Amistae and Lamiste.
Maybe it was named Amistha in Greek. Another story version says that initially the name was Vesta and the first letter changed from V to M.
Vestas is originated from the Greek word “Vestarhis”. That means the person who was responsible for the cloakroom (vestiary) of the Emperor.
Finally, another story wants the village’s name to be invented by the villagers of nearby scattered settlements, after their decision to be united to a larger village offering them protection against the pirate raids. Their thought to collaborate and unite was very well studied (“mestomeni” in Greek) and so they named their new home Mesta.