The traditional manors of Chora that belonged to sea-captains and merchants are famous for their architecture and interior design. They have impressive windows, doors and rooms, and usually have two levels: the first floor, where the kitchen and other everyday rooms are located and the upper floor, where the relaxation and bedrooms are. Characteristic of these houses are the inside courtyard, the cistern where water was kept, and the traditional furniture. In some of these manors you will see a large, wooden piece of furniture with complex design that is known as “ampataros” and was a symbol of the status of the family. It was used either as a storage unit in the upper floor, or to separate the living room from the bedroom. Nowadays, these houses belong to well-to-do residents of the island, or to rich people from abroad who renovate them.
Two of them are open for public viewing in the morning and afternoon: the manor of Nikolaidis and the manor of Simantiris. The first one dates back to the 17^th-18^th century and was renovated through the efforts of an architect. The second one is built in such a way so that the visitor can find out about the everyday life of the past.