The church of Panagia Gremniotissa crowns the top of Chora's hill, its blue dome visible from the port and from Mylopotas beach below. It is the most photographed building on Ios and for good reason: sitting at the peak of the whitewashed village with the Aegean spread out on three sides, it is a perfect example of Cycladic religious architecture. The windmills nearby add to the composition.
Ios is said to have more than 365 churches — one for each day of the year — and Panagia Gremniotissa is the most important of them. The church comes alive at religious festivals, particularly the Feast of the Dormition in August, when the entire village gathers. The walk up through the lanes of Chora to reach it is the best way to experience the village.