Tinos' peristerones (cotes) are unique samples of the folklore architecture. Although we find cotes in many Cyclades islands those of Tinos distinguish for their grandiosity and their unique construction.
There are more than 1000 cotes in the island. Enetics built the oldest of them. But most of them were constructed during the 18th and the 19th century on the mountain banks. To construct them they used shistolithos, a local mineral. The stonemasons using their imagination, created real "built crewelwork", as they decorated the pigeons' nest with artistic designs. Their forefronts are adorned with rhombs, triangles, suns and other elegant shapes that create a harmonious picture.
The residents of Tinos' raised pigeons for their delicious meat that was considered a dainty morsel.
In our days most of them are neglected, while others have turned into storehouses. Some of them still keep the tradition and host pigeons.
In whole they are significant monuments of folklore art and worth to be noticed.