Originally the village was located further west near the area known as Ayios Spyridon, where we find remains of a cemetery and traces of old houses.

According to old testaments, which cannot be verified, about three centuries ago a plague forced the population to move the village to its present position.

From later-day travelers like: Conze (1858), De Launay (1898) and Fredrich (1904) the place name is noted as Portianos in the male gender.

Until 1940 the remains of the tower stood at approximately 6 meters (20 ft) high, however it was almost destroyed during the German occupation of the island during World War II.

In 1835, during the diocese of the metropolitan (bishop) Nectarios, as it is noted on the inscription, the main church of the village was built dedicated to “the Entry of the Most Holy Mother to the Temple” (Εισόδια της Θεοτόκου).

It has an impressive screen (τέμπλο) with elaborate carvings, gold plated and icons painted by Gregoris Papamalis.

Amongst many, notable teachers of the Portionou School were: Christos Kontellis (1916–22, 1923–44), Emmanuel Ioannidis (1922–23, 1928–37), Evangelia Mauroudi (1948–63), Vaios Rigopoulos (1955–63) and Ignatios Papadopoulos (1966–76).

From April 1915 up until 1920, hundreds of dead soldiers from the Gallipoli Campaign were buried in the “Allied Cemetery of Portianou”, which stands to this day.

During the Gallipoli Campaign Portianou was chosen as the command centre by the young Winston Churchill,[citation needed] mastermind behind the ill-fated war effort.

A venture by the Athens – Piraeus Portianites who also published a newspaper, “Τα νέα του Πορτιανού”(The Portianou News).

Apart from their agricultural and commercial activities, the people of Portianou developed a notable cultural and artistic tradition which is alive to this day.