Lesvos

The island of Lesvos is the third largest of the Greek islands. It is an island rich in history that is lost in the depths of centuries, a fascinating and varied place. Home of famous ancient poets, such as the poetess Sappho and the poet Alceo, the aedo Ariona, zither player, the musician Terpander and Pittacus from Mytilene, one of the seven sages of antiquity, the tradition continues to this day, being the home of famous people in painting, poetry and fiction.

The capital of the island is Mytilini, built amphitheatrically on the site of the ancient city of the same name, with its Byzantine castle built in the 14th century which dominates the bay from the pine-covered hill. At the north-eastern end of the city is the ancient theater of the Hellenistic period, with a capacity of 10 thousand spectators and a wonderful acoustics. Important the Archaeological Museum, rich of finds, and the Byzantine Museum, with works of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period. Interesting to visit are the old town, Toursi, the market, the House of Menander, a Roman villa, Geni Tsami, the mosque, and also some churches, such as the Cathedral, dedicated to St. Attanasio, in Greek Agios Athanasios, the church of Agios Therapon and the church of Agii Theodori, with a beautiful iconostasis and remarkable icons.

In the north of the island is located Molivos, Mithimna, one of the most famous centers for vacations and artistic tradition of the island, with the medieval castle that dominates the village and its authentic architecture.

On the southern coast of the island there is Vatera, an important tourist center, with a very long beach, and Plomari, the second largest city of Lesvos Island, with an interesting architecture, beautiful beaches and remarkable tourist development. In addition, Plomari is known for its “ouzo” liquor, of exceptional quality. In Lesvos, there are also thermal springs in the Gulf of Geras, in Thermis, Liovori, Eftalou, Polihnitos and elsewhere.

What to see in Lesvos

• The Petrified Forest of Sigri . During the great volcanic activity that affected the island of Lesvos during the Oligocene and Miocene ages, between 15 and 20 million years ago, the volcanic ash covered the trees in the area and thus favored the fossilization of the subtropical forest in the northwestern part of Lesvos.
• The Medieval Castle of Mytilene built from the 5th century on the site of the acropolis.
• The Monastery of Limonos, the largest and most important monastery on Lesvos, is located 4 kilometers northwest of the village of Kalloni. Dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, it was founded in the Byzantine era.
• TheRoman aqueduct of Moria stands 600 meters west of the village, 6 kilometers from Mitilini. It is one of the first great technical achievements of late Roman architecture, as it dates back to around the end of the 2nd century or the beginning of the 3rd. 22 kilometers long, itshis carrying capacity is calculated at 127 thousand cubic meters of water per day.

How to get to Lesvos

Lesvos has an international airport at 8 kilometers from Mitilini connected daily to and from Athens and Thessaloniki and in the summer period with several Aegean islands. It is also possible to reach Lesvos with daily ferries from the port of Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Kalava. Numerous the connections by sea also with Chio, Limnos, Samos, Rhodes and Icaria.