Lesvos

Lesvos

Verdant with pine forests and olive groves Lesvos has many natural beauties, a perfect climate and many sights all of which compose a beautiful picture.

The city of Mytilini, capital of the island is spread out on seven hills. Mytilini is also the capital of Lesvos prefecture which includes the islands of Limnos and Agios Efstratios.

The enchanting village of Mythimna also known as Molyvos with the traditional stone houses, the paved streets and mansions, is inhabited since the ancient times and is the homeland of poet and citharoedus Arion.

Don’t forget to buy the famous local products of Lesvos. Olive oil, ouzo, ladotyri cheese, traditional preserved products, spoon sweets, pottery, pastas and bakery products.

The Petrified Forest
The island has many sights with most important the Petrified Forest in the region of Sigri-Eressos (birthplace of Sappho) where one can see the 20 million years old petrified trunks as far as the steep coasts and even in the sea. The petrified forest is 20 million years old and its trunks are unique worldwide.

Castles
On the island are the ruins of three castles, the medieval castles in Mytilini and Mythimna (Molyvos) both of them built in the ancient years and renovated by Gatelouzous and the third in Sigri built during the Ottoman rule in Greece.

The Roman aqueduct “Kamares” of the 2nd – 3rd cent. in Moria.

At the settlement Ahladeri, in the sea are the ruins of ancient Pyrra, one of the ancient fivetowns of Lesvos and in Messa and Klopedi are the remains of the ancient Aeolian temple of Apollo and an Ionian temple.

Near Chorafa region mosaic floorings of the 3rd cent. AD have been found, portraying Orpheus and scenes from the work of Menandros with titles accommodated today in the Archaeological Museum of Mitilini.

The ancient Hellenistic theatre of Mitilini with a capacity of 10.000 spectators. It is said that the emperor of Rome Pompiios was so impressed that he decided to build a similar theatre in Rome.

The biotope of Kalloni that includes a significant number of smaller ones, a place where find shelter many rare birds species.

The hot springs in Therma, Geras gulf, Polichnitos, Lisvori, Thermi, Eftalou etc. effective for various diseases.

Admire mansions all over the island like the residence of the Vareltzidena family in Petra.

Religious pilgrimages

• In the picturesque village of Mantamado known for its stone houses, visit the Monastery of Taxiarch, with the famous holy icon of Archangel Michael, which according to tradition was made with soil and the blood of the monks who were slaughtered by pirates.
• The Byzantine Church of Agios Stefanos in Mantamado.
• The church of Dormition of Virgin Mary in Agiasos with it’s famous icon which according to tradition was transferred form Jerusalem in 803 AD.
• The Byzantine Monastery of Limonos with rare books and manuscripts.
• In Antissa the Monastery Ipsilou with a rare collection of manuscripts.
•  The church of our lady of the Sweet Kiss built on a rock.
•  The paleochristian basilica Chalinados of the 6th cent. – Agia Paraskevi
•  in Thermi the monastery of St.Raphael
•  In Polichnitos, the church of St.George and the Damandrio monastery.
•  The paleochristian basilica of Ypsilometopo
•  The paleochristian basilica in Messa

Museums

• The Archaeological Museum in Mitilini
• The Collection of Natural History in Vrisa village with exhibits of the Paleolithic age.
• The Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest – Sigri
• Theophilos Museum
• Museum of Modern Art Teriant
• Oyzo Museum