The village was probably built in the 12th century during the Byzantine era . The architecture of the settlement with its narrow streets and perimetric fortification served to repel pirate raids . The street plan of the village is pentagonical and its many narrow roads inside the fortifications give the impression of a labyrinth . The fortifications were reinforced during the Genoese era in Chios , between 1346 and 1566 . The church of the Older Taxiarchi that is located in the centre of the village was built in 1794 . A lot of villagers of Mesta were killed or captured during the Chios massacre . Some of them were released after a while because the mastic agriculture was important for the Ottomans
Chios massacre
Chios massacre
Mesta, Greece