Chios' town is situated in the middle of the eastern coast of the island and is its capital. It is a town with an ancient history and civilization. Today it extends around the port. From the architectural point of view, it is a modern town, which therefore keeps its traditional style. The economic and commercial life of the town is concentrated in the streets around the port, while the cardinal point for intellectual and cultural life is the Homer Cultural Center built by Michalis and Stamatia Xyla. Walking around in the town, the visitor will see the museums, ramble through Vounakios Square and the cobbled alleys leading to the market place; he will see some remains from Turkish occupation such as the marble fountain of Melek Pasha and the Turkish Mosque. Some neoclassical public buildings are really impressive because of their architecture. However it is certain that the thing, which will remain very deep in the memory, is the smell, the scent of the gum mastic and of citrus fruits, which fill the town and the entire island. The sightseeing tour ends at the castle near the port. It dates back to Byzantine times and is very well preserved. Its present form is due to many additions made by the Genoese, the Venetians and the Turks. Enter to the castle is possible by the southern gate built by the Venetians. In the past, around the castle, there was a moat that nowadays has been filled up with earth. Enter to the castle is possible by the southern gate built by the Venetians. In the past, around the castle, there was a moat that nowadays has been filled up with earth.