Tannery District (Tabakika)

The tanneries (tabakika) are located in the northern part of Chios town, in the Tabakika district, on the seafront so they could use the seawater essential for processing hides. In Chios, tanning flourished from the early 19th century, when there were about 18 tanneries employing 580 workers. Most were men who handled the hides—a complex and time‑consuming process of treating raw skins. The few women were mainly involved in dyeing the leather. The sector’s main crisis came in the 1980s. New conditions following Greece’s entry into the EEC imposed intense competition from large Athens‑based companies, and most tanneries closed one after another. Today, some factories are abandoned and looted, with most of their tools and machinery lost, while others have been renovated and now house commercial or leisure activities.